County judge voices concern over rice farmer’s decision
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I was disappointed to read in Sunday's Tribune that our rice farmers have partnered with Public Citizen to oppose industrial development in Matagorda County. It is particularly distressing to read that our rice farmers oppose the building of STP Units 3 & 4, which we know to be a great project for our county and the State of Texas and the potential building of the White Stallion project, which could also prove to be an equally environmentally and economically friendly project as STP 3 & 4. My requirement for White Stallion has always been and continues to be that it be the cleanest coal plant there is and do no harm to our environment and air quality. I am keenly aware that our attainment status with regards to air quality is something that we all enjoy and that is a big draw for industry. I also understand that once air quality has been compromised, it is near impossible to regain that attainment status. With that said, it is incumbent upon us to protect that, and I have insisted on those protections in every conversation with every potential industrial partner we have had discussions with, since the day I became the County Judge for Matagorda County. I will continue to demand that we only do business with companies that will do no harm to our environment, as my family and I live here too, and we understand the importance of clean air and water, for this generation and the next.
One of my very first orders of business upon coming to this office in January of 2007 was to decide if the LCRA/SAWS project was of benefit for Matagorda County. Upon much reading, research and counsel, I decided that it had no benefit to us as it was proposed and I chose to vigorously oppose it. In doing so, I debated in many cities those who were in favor of it and at the end of the day the evidence against LCRA sharing water with SAWS was overwhelming against the proposed project. We now know that this project has been shelved, after the LCRA Board of Directors voted against continuing the project as it was then constituted. Matagorda County and its neighbors to the north prevailed, and LCRA will not be shipping water to San Antonio.
I do hope that our rice farmers understand that they have aligned themselves with a professional group of protestors in Public Citizen, who oppose anything they are paid enough to argue against. Smitty Smith has made a career of protesting against anything and everything that does not fit his Austin group's views. I, on the other hand, much prefer to consider each project on its merits, gain diverse counsel on it and then make an informed decision that benefits the many.
The Commissioners and I welcome all input from our citizens and look forward to visiting with them on this question or any other. We take our pledge to serve very seriously and are available at any time to hear to our citizen's concerns.