Paul Krugman: US Conservatives Raise a Stink Over Meddlesome Government

Conservatives are convinced that the Environmental Protection Agency is messing with Texas.

The state has been battling the federal agency for years over pollution regulations, and now it is suing, insisting that the agency is abusing its power. Also, officials say that forcing the state to adopt stricter emissions rules will cost jobs and lead to hardship. In fact, late last year, the E.P.A. announced it would issue greenhouse-gas permits in Texas because the state refuses to do so.