ustxtxb_obs_2009_05_29_50_00007-00000_000.pdf

AV WOE po tNK Tot% CioiNG? ZOE’S LEAVING ClIENEYMAIN! . . . www.planetktexas.COill GROWNUP GIFTS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES 1144 SAN ANTONIO NORTH SOUTH EAST S.E.MILITARY 832-8544 443-2292 654-8536 333-3043 RESEARCH E. RIVERSIDE CENTRAL WEST 502-9323 441-5555 822-7767 521-5213 legislation that will have a major impact on the Texas energy sector. Shaw’s response: No, but the agency would “monitor and try to anticipate” new EPA requirements. Next, Watson asked if Shaw agreed with the view, supported by the vast majority of scientists, that human activity is driving dramatic climate change. Shaw’s answer was a tad opaque: “I don’t believe it’s fully vetted,” said a visibly nervous Shaw, who sports a “high and tight” Aggie buzz cut. “Fortunately or unfortunately, having a consensus of a group of scientists doesn’t make that fully settled. There are still certainly those renowned scientists that still express skepticism, and moreover, I think that it warrants a critical process of looking forward because the implications of moving forward based on the assumption that manmade contribution is the primary driver of climate change may close windows of opportunity for us with regard to the environmental good that we’re trying to achieve’ Clear as smog. Watson wryly suggested that Shaw consult colleagues in the atmospheric sciences department at A&M. As it turned out, he already had. Gerald North, a renowned expert on climate studies at the university, told the Observer he met with Shaw “a year or two ago” to discuss the science behind climate change. North said he left the meeting with a “kind of empty feeling:’ because he got the impression that “opposite political and economic considerations weighed more heavily” with Shaw than “an actual analysis of the views in the active scientific community.” A gaggle of senators has called for Gov. Rick Perry to launch a “top-to-bottom” shake-up of the TCEQ. Though that’s unlikely, environmental groups are holding out hope that the agency’s sunset review, which kicks off in 2012, will lead to serious reform. Forrest Wilder MAY 29, 2009 THE TEXAS OBSERVER 7