Big oil asks government to protect its Texas facilities from climate change
Source: CBS News
As the nation plans new defenses against the more powerful storms and higher tides expected from climate change, one project stands out: an ambitious proposal to build a nearly 60-mile "spine" of concrete seawalls, earthen barriers, floating gates and steel levees on the Texas Gulf Coast.
<snip>
The plan is focused on a stretch of coastline that runs from the Louisiana border to industrial enclaves south of Houston that are home to one of the world's largest concentrations of petrochemical facilities, including most of Texas' 30 refineries, which represent 30 percent of the nation's refining capacity.
<snip>
"The oil and gas industry is getting a free ride," said Brandt Mannchen, a member of the Sierra Club's executive committee in Houston. "You don't hear the industry making a peep about paying for any of this and why should they? There's all this push like, 'Please Senator Cornyn, Please Senator Cruz, we need money for this and that.'"
Normally outspoken critics of federal spending, Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz both backed using taxpayer funds to fortify the oil facilities' protections and the Texas coast. Cruz called it "a tremendous step forward."
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-protect-oil-facilities-from-climate-change-coastal-spine/
I really wish we could post more than 4 paragraphs, this is a hugely important story and well worth the read.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Had not heard of this, and I live in Texas. Billions given to the industry which has helped cause these weather problems. 
Like the bank robber wanting police protection for his loot.......
Dear oil companies: Hooray and hallelujah! Ya had it comin' to ya!
Such as...
* Who is considering the environmental impact of this sea wall? That is, effects on the estuaries, marine wildlife and overall health of the Gulf.
* Houston has experienced tremendous land subsistence over the past hundred years of so. In the event of a hurricane, how will they get rid of the ground water (hint - they blew it with Harvey)?
* As in Florida, as sea levels rise, what will prevent influx of salt water into the aquifers? (sea walls do not prevent that, long-term)
The Repug comments align perfectly with what I would expect.......
(snip)
Texas "should be funding things like this itself," said Chris Edwards, an economist at the libertarian Cato Institute. "Texans are proud of their conservatism, but, unfortunately, when decisions get made in Washington, that frugality goes out the door."
State officials counter that protecting the oil facilities is a matter of national security. "The effects of the next devastating storm could be felt nationwide," Rep. Randy Weber, a fiercely conservative Republican from suburban Houston who has nonetheless authored legislation backing the coastal spine.
Just as one might expect, Repugs claim this is crucial to national security. Next, they'll want federal police protection for all golf courses in the country....for national security.
.....................
