The Chron reports that Gene Green, who represents the 29th Congressional District, is fighting to remain chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
He backed the wrong person in the recent competition over chairmanship of the committee, he backed John Dingell, Henry Waxman won. The decision will be made by the other Democrats in the full committee.
Green told his 30 Democratic colleagues that he planned to "work aggressively" in coming months to enable his committee to reverse "the poor enforcement record" of the Environmental Protection Agency, improve the safety of drinking water and strengthen security for chemical plants.
Green also vowed to take action to ban asbestos, speed cleanup of toxic waste sites and increase recycling and strengthen provisions for safe handling of toxic wastes including toxic electronic waste from computers and other electronic devices
"I have the energy, the temperament and pragmatism to reinvigorate and improve strong environmental protections with your help," Green wrote. "Together we can build consensus among our members for strong, pragmatic and progressive protections from the health and environmental impacts of toxic chemicals."
Green's Houston-area congressional district includes dozens of refineries and petrochemical plants along the Houston ship channel. His district also includes the San Jacinto River Waste Pits in Harris County.
Waxman is a critic of the oil industry, which is not surprisingly supported by Green. Waxman;s opposition to Michigan based Dingell hinged on Dingell's support for the auto industry so we shodul not be surprised if Waxman does nto support Green. It would be a pity because Texas needs all it can get in the upcoming session of Congress.
