Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says Texas will not sit by and allow the Biden administration to destroy jobs in Lone Star state and signed an executive order Thursday to run all agencies. states to prepare to challenge any federal action that threatens Texas ’energy industry.
Abbott made the announcement Thursday saying the state would take steps to protect the oil and gas industry, although he promised to veto any legislation on “new green agreements” should it be passed, and at the same time proposed legislation to prevent the ban on gas appliances.
“I am in Midland to make it clear that Texas will protect the oil and gas industry from any hostile attack launched from Washington DC,” Abbott said. “The embrace of President Biden’s new green deal is a labor killer in Texas. It also means a shattering of the energy independence that Texas has been able to provide to the United States of America and Texas will not stand idly by the administration de Biden kills jobs in Midland, Odessa or anywhere else in the region. “
Abbott signed an executive order directing all state agencies to “use all legal powers and tools to challenge any federal action that endangers the continuity of the strength and vitality of the energy industry. Each state agency should work to identify possible litigation, notice and comment opportunities and any other means to prevent federal extension into law. “
And when they do, Abbott said, “this will arm Texas to be ready to fight.”
Abbott said he was also proposing legislation to prevent local cities and counties from taking action to derail oil and gas energy by banning natural gas appliances in new buildings. An action he said was recently done in San Francisco.
“In Texas, we will not allow cities to use political correctness to dictate what energy source you use,” Abbott said.
During the roundtable, Abbott spoke with oil and gas workers, energy leaders and advocates on how Texas can continue to support workers after COVID-19 and offered him the security he sought to protect the energy industry.
“If someone approves a new‘ green deal ’type policy in Texas, they will have a governor’s veto and it will not become law in our state,” Abbott said.
Abbott’s full address will be added to this article Thursday afternoon.