AP
Republican presidential candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, right, greets personnel at the United States Steel Irvin Works in West Mifflin, Pa., Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, after he spoke about energy and environmental regulations. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry went to a West Mifflin steel plant this morning to advocate for increased energy production - particularly through coal and natural gas extraction - as a way to boost jobs and the economy.
Mr. Perry's first policy speech of the Republican presidential campaign regarded plans to create an estimated 1.2 million new jobs by stripping energy industries of federal regulations to open up federal lands and offshore waters to drilling. He promised a series of executive orders in his first days as president that would strip the Environmental Protection Authority of its regulatory power over greenhouse gases and air-quality standards for power plants, and in strong words equated the federal agency with anti-American energy producers in Venezuela and the Middle East.
"America should not be -- and when I'm president of the United States, will not be -- held hostage by foreign oil and federal bureaucrats," he said in a much-anticipated 20 minute address.
The stagecraft for Mr. Perry's speech in a giant dock at the U.S. Steel Irvin plant was chock full of symbolism. Adjacent to the stage were rows of steel coils and steel transmission pipe used for oil and natural gas pipelines, as well as a gas-powered forklift. He spoke to more than 100 hard-hat-wearing steelworkers and energy industry executives, and repeatedly tied the energy-related work at U.S. Steel's facilities to job creation efforts he wants to support nationwide.
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That meant a heavy emphasis on local coal production and natural gas from the Marcellus Shale region.
"When you talk about Western Pennsylvania, you're known for producing some pretty good quarterbacks. I want Western Pennsylvania to quarterback a new energy revolution that creates jobs all across America," he said.
Mr. Perry has been sliding down the GOP presidential polls lately after underwhelming performances in debates, and the Pittsburgh address was pitched as a way to regain his footing on economic issues where Texas can brag some success. He came to town for a fundraiser in the Strip District Thursday night and previewed his energy plan in a series of nationally broadcast television interviews from the city.
He did not take questions from reporters at the West Mifflin speech.
Timothy McNulty: tmcnulty@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1581.
