The resignation Monday of Al Armendariz, the controversial regional director
of the Environmental Protection Agency, was cheered by many Texas officials
and bemoaned by environmental activists, leaving it unclear how his departure
may affect regulatory enforcement of gas drilling operations.
Armendariz, a longtime advocate of tougher pollution rules for industry,
was appointed by President Obama to the EPA's Region 6 office, which
oversees Texas and four other states. While a professor at Southern Methodist
University, he gained public notice in 2009 with a study asserting that
natural gas operations in the Barnett Shale gave off more emissions than all
the region's cars and trucks combined.
In 2010, he issued an emergency order against Fort Worth-based Range
Resources accusing it of contaminating two Parker County water wells with
natural gas. Range fiercely contested the finding in court and before Texas
regulators, and the order was withdrawn March 30.
Last week, Armendariz came under fire when a video recording of a 2010
community meeting surfaced in which he likened his approach at the EPA to
Roman conquerors who used crucifixion to deter dissent. He apologized for the
remarks, but EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said Friday that the comments
"don't comport with our record."
Armendariz wrote to Jackson: "As I have expressed publically, and to you
directly, I regret comments I made several years ago that do not in any way
reflect my work as regional administrator. I have come to the conclusion that
my continued service will distract you and the agency from its important
work." The agency released his letter Monday.
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity
because of the sensitivity of the subject, told The Associated Press that
Armendariz has received death threats. Sam Coleman, a career official who led
the agency's response to Hurricane Katrina and was Armendariz's deputy, took
over as acting regional administrator.
Making a point
Calvin Tillman, the former mayor of Dish, said he invited Armendariz to
speak at the gathering in the small Denton County community where he made the
crucifixion analogy. Tillman said Monday that Armendariz was catching heat
from skeptical residents who thought previous meetings with regulators about
controlling emissions from huge gas compressors and equipment had been futile.
"I think that probably led him to use the analogy he used," said Tillman,
who now lives in Aubrey, where he is interim director of ShaleTest.org, which
conducts environmental tests for low-income people affected by drilling.
Whatever Armendariz's words, Tillman said the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality "was a lot more aggressive after he got involved."
The agency was among the Texas parties to applaud Armendariz's departure,
saying in a statement that "we approve of the decision" while taking a shot at
the federal agency.
"This EPA administration has been unwavering in its determination to
impose new regulations and new costs on Americans and American industry, often
without any real scientific determination that new laws will result in any
environmental benefits. Dr. Armendariz's mistake was that he slipped and
unveiled the EPA's questionable and draconian enforcement philosophy," the
statement said.
It was among many that shared a similar view.
A 'pattern of hostility'
U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, said "a practiced pattern of
hostility was illustrated by the Armendariz enforcement philosophy."
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, said that Armendariz's comments were
"inappropriate" and that "Texas air quality has improved in the last two
decades."
And the Texas Oil & Gas Association backed "a Congressional investigation
into the EPA's enforcement strategy."
The agency, perhaps more than any other, has found itself in the GOP's
cross hairs. Republicans including presidential contender Mitt Romney, who has
called for Jackson herself to be fired, have blamed the agency for high
gasoline prices and clamping down on American energy.
But Ken Kramer, director of the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter, called
Armendariz's resignation "a major loss for Texas. He brought a breath of fresh
air -- literally and figuratively -- to Texas in his vigorous enforcement of
the federal Clean Air Act."
Kramer said in a statement that Armendariz "was one of the best Region 6
EPA administrators who have served since the post was created in the 1970s.
The only people who will celebrate this resignation are the polluters who
continue to foul Texas air and the politicians who serve those special
interests."
Drilling critic Sharon Wilson, an organizer for the Earthworks
environmental group, said "drilling-impacted communities lost a champion."
Armendariz's departure, she said, "is regrettable because it may signal a
premature end of what is a much-needed public conversation about what
effective environmental enforcement is."
Impact uncertain
Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist
University, said that remains to be seen.
"When things like this happen, I talk about the second-day story,"
Jillson said. "There will be more information about pressures brought to bear.
Did Washington cut him loose? Once we know those things it will be clearer."
Jillson, who said he has not met Armendariz, said he was surprised by the
resignation.
"Being a federal official, the expectation is you'll speak relatively
carefully," he said. "The comments were incendiary, but not a firing offense."
Tillman said that while Armendariz's fate "pulls the rug out from under
property owners" fighting the impact of natural gas development, it's also
possible that it will motivate the critics.
"I'm pretty sure we haven't heard the last of Dr. Armendariz," Tillman
said.
This report includes material from The Associated Press.
