AAS 11/14/11
Project with ties to Perry OK'd despite objections

State environmental regulators appointed by Gov. Rick Perry issued a permit in January for a Houston-area industrial waste injection well to a company whose top investors include some of Perry's close friends and campaign contributors.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved the permit over the objections of the Texas Railroad Commission and every state and local official representing Montgomery County, and in spite of an administrative law judge's recommendation to deny the permit because the well might pollute groundwater.

"These guys are used to getting what they want — you want a project to go through, you donate," said Rebecca Kaiser, a Conroe-area homeowner opposed to the project. "It's scary to think that this is going to end up doing something to our drinking water."

Perry's presidential campaign opponents have criticized him for "crony capitalism," the appearance of a pay-to-play culture that gets favorable state government treatment for his campaign donors. Perry also has been criticized for state environmental regulation that appears to put business ahead of environmental quality and safety.