A while ago we published this map of the top 15 states for toxic waste dumping compiled from the toxic waste inventories available from the EPA. Of particular interest in this map is Texas, which is fifth in the country for total toxic waste release (~240 million pounds per year) after Alaska Alaska (~550 million pounds), Nevada(~500 million pounds), Arizona(~330 million pounds), and Ohio(~210 million pounds). Contrast to California, at ~45 million pounds per year the most populous state releases about 1/5th the amount of toxic sludge and chemicals than Texas.



So it was interesting to see on Fark this weekend the Toxic Texas website describing the types of waste being dumped in Texas at dumps like Sierra Blanca. Companies are dumping sludge (usually imported from blue states) with absolutely no regard for local residents' health or quality of life. When the residents try to appeal to the state government to protect them from the damage to their health and property, they're ignored and dismissed of course because these governments don't care about their constituents. It's too bad the page isn't more updated unlike the national PEER site but it's still a good demonstration of the Give Up phenomenon. The lack of protection of red state citizens by their governments is contributing to an exploitative system in which blue states are benefiting from unregulated and inappropriate use of resources and land at a direct cost to the citizens of these states. Reading the articles on many of these dumps you also see they're a direct legacy of George W. Bush and his complete disregard for his constituents, not that we should be surprised.

What's the solution? To wait until red staters go through the laborious process of learning from scratch that libertarian governments offer no protection to citizens or sensible preventative measures to prevent damage to the commons? Or should you just move to the blue states and send them your waste? I don't know, but one thing is for sure, I'd never buy land in Texas. It's just not a good investment if someone can build an illegal toxic waste dump next door without consultation with or consent of local citizens.

Giving up makes you feel pretty sorry for people who are abused by their states like this, but what else can be done to convince them that Republicans won't protect their interests? Maybe it takes a toxic waste dump next door to convince people that environmental protection and sensible regulation are in their best interest? Or that having a powerful federal EPA is more sensible than entrusting corrupt state politicians of any party to protect you?

Map source, Environmental Protection Agency, Toxic Release Inventory 2002 (www.epa.gov). Total Onsite Releases of toxic chemicals by state.