Region 6

Air

Officials from the EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality joined representatives from the Beaumont-Port Arthur area recently to celebrate the region reaching the national eight-hour standard for ozone.

“This is an important clean air milestone for everyone in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene.  “EPA is pleased to recognize the committed efforts of the many residents and industry leaders who have worked side-by-side with air quality staff at the local, state and federal levels to reduce ozone in the region.”

The Beaumont-Port Arthur area includes Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange counties.  Ozone monitoring data from 2005 to 2007 shows that the area meets both the eight-hour ozone standard and the former one-hour standard.  EPA revoked the one-hour standard of 0.12 parts per million (ppm) in 2005 with regulations to implement the more protective eight-hour standard of 0.08 ppm.

Ozone is a gas that occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere to protect the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.  At ground level, pollutants released from vehicles, factories and other sources combine to form the ozone mixture commonly known as smog.  Smog can cause respiratory problems including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.  The risk is greatest for people with asthma, children and the elderly.

More on the eight-hour ozone standard

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Dallas, Houston make EPA list of top green power purchasers

Wind power has propelled the cities of Dallas and Houston onto EPA’s national list of top green power purchasers.  

"Texas leads the nation in wind power production, and Dallas and Houston are leading the way in showing other cities how green power can help protect the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard Greene.  Read more …>

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EPA’s efforts to improve air quality recognized

As the North Texas Clean Air Coalition (NTCAC) recently recognized, EPA Region 6 doesn’t just talk about protecting the environment, we work hard at it. NTCAC awarded Region 6 as the Employer of the Year for our robust mass transit and vanpool programs, transitioning our fleet to hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, using a renewable energy provider, and having flexible work schedules that allow employees to avoid traffic congestion. Read more ...>

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Partners Announced In Effort To Improve Dallas' Air Quality

The City of Dallas has embarked on a new partnership with the EPA and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) called Dallas Sustainable Skylines initiative.

“We all have a stake in the quality of our air,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Cities across the nation are looking to the Dallas Sustainable Skylines program to show how green buildings, green taxis and other green approaches can save money, conserve energy and improve air quality. We look forward to other cities adopting these initiatives and building on them.”

Press Release

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EPA Mobile Laboratory

EPA's mobile laboratory is a self-contained mobile laboratory capable of real-time sampling and analysis for air or emissions. The mobile laboratory is commonly called TAGA which stands for Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer. The TAGA mobile laboratory also has specialized sampling equipment for measuring indoor air and collecting samples from remote locations. EPA has two TAGA mobile laboratories. One is in Houston and the other is in Edison, New Jersey.

Learn more about EPA's mobile laboratory

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Truckers driving toward environmental excellence

At a ceremony in Grapevine, Texas, EPA presented SmartWay Excellence Awards to trucking companies that exemplify superior environmental performance in their fleet operations.

“The freight industry drives America's economy, and EPA's SmartWay partners are keeping more money in their pockets while helping us all breathe easier,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.  Read more ... >

Learn more about the SmartWay Transport Partnership.

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Pumps are Primed, Clean Diesel will Deliver Cleaner Air

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), the single, most far-reaching environmental and public health achievement since lead was removed from gasoline, is now available for consumers at the pump. This clean-burning fuel has 97 percent less sulfur and will deliver billions of dollars in environmental and public health benefits. Under the administration’s clean diesel rules, ULSD combined with new engine technology will not only enhance environmental protection, but will also prevent nearly 20,000 premature deaths and tens of thousands of cases of respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma. Read more ... >

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North Central Texas Council of Governments Receives Grant to Help Truckers Save Fuel, Reduce Emissions

North Texas will benefit from a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership program awarded a $300,000 grant to test new pollution reduction technology on local long-haul delivery routes to reduce truck emissions and save on fuel. Read more ... >

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Blue Skyways Partners to Bring Cleaner Air

The Blue Skyways Collaborative is a group of businesses, communities, and government agencies voluntarily working together to significantly reduce air pollution emissions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as other major urban areas in the central part of the United States. The collaborative is implementing projects that use innovations in diesel engines, alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies to reduce air emissions along major transportation corridors in various sectors, including air, water and rail transportation.

Learn more about Blue Skyways | Read what people are saying about Blue Skyways |

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Hydraulic hybrid truck promises fuel efficiency and lower emissions

Think you've heard about all the new alternative vehicles on the road today? Not so fast! EPA and UPS recently unveiled the world's first hydraulic hybrid commercial delivery vehicle. Reporters and officials went for spins in the truck at demonstrations in Dallas and Houston. This new EPA-patented technology can increase fuel efficiency by sixty to seventy percent, while lowering carbon dioxide emissions by forty percent in urban driving. The hybrid UPS truck, developed at our Ann Arbor Research facility, will begin delivering UPS packages in Michigan this summer. Read more ... >

News Release

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Fuel Cell Produces Renewable, Clean Energy

A new fuel cell demonstration project at Moody Gardens' nature and education complex in Galveston will reduce electricity needs from the local power grid, cutting annual emissions of nitrogen oxides by nearly 16 tons, which equates to removing about 750 cars from the roadways. This clean, renewable energy project is part of EPA's bold new initiative to improve air quality, the Blue Skyways Collaborative.

"Green energy innovations will mean more blue skies throughout this region," EPA Regional Administrator Richard Greene said. "From Houston to America's Heartland, we'll see more green power success stories like Moody Gardens as our new public-private partnership, the Blue Skyways Collaborative, creates cleaner air and healthier communities." Read more >

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EPA Awards $3 Million Grant to Texas Transportation Institute

EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson announced today the largest-ever SmartWay Transport Partnership grant, awarded to the Texas Transportation Institute. The award is part of a package of $5 million in grants under EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership, which will help pay for technologies that save fuel and money while also reducing pollution. The Texas Transportation Institute is a state agency and a member of the Texas A&M University system.

Read more >

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Progress for clean air in DFW

After almost a year of negotiations, leaders of the DFW Blue Skies Alliance and Downwinders At Risk joined representatives from Holcim (US) Inc. and the Environmental Protection Agency to announce an historic clean air accord had been reached between the environmental groups and Holcim, one of the three Midlothian cement plants.

"Dallas-Fort Worth is world class. Our universities, hospitals, museums and sports teams can take yourbreath away. The air you breathe shouldn't," said Richard Greene EPA regional administrator. "Clean air is everyone's 'business'. This historic agreement is essential in our commitment to bring clean air to the citizens of North Texas."

Joint News Release in PDF (4 pp., 166KB)

Holcim Settlement Agreement in PDF (71 pp., 693KB)

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EPA reaches agreement with New Mexico Refiner

The U.S. EPA and the New Mexico Environment Department reached an agreement with Giant Industries to significantly reduce air emissions at two facilities in northwestern New Mexico, Bloomfield Refinery in Bloomfield and Ciniza Refinery near Gallup.

"This settlement reflects the continued federal and state commitment to bring cleaner air to the residents of New Mexico," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene.

Giant will cut emissions by almost 3,000 tons a year by using innovative technologies, upgrading leak detection and repair practices, reducing flaring of hazardous gases, and ensure proper handling of its wastewater. Emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and fugitive organic compounds will be greatly reduced.

Giant will pay a $250,00 penalty and spend $600,000 on four approved environmental projects including collaborative public health programs in McKinley and San Juan counties.

For more information:

EPA News Release on agreement

Petroleum Refinery Initiative

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Houston recognized by EPA

Houston becomes the nation's first SunWise City by encouraging its residents to adopt sun safe behaviors. The EPA, in partnership with local officials, hopes to extend sun safety education into communities through city-wide classroom, school, and community-based programs.

"We are pleased to see Houston lead the nation in promoting programs to help its citizens live healthier lives," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard Greene. "Mayor White has been committed to help ensure citizens can enjoy the many outdoor resources in and around Houston."

The City of Houston will incorporate sun safety initiatives and action steps into its 'Get Moving Houston' program, which encourages Houstonians to adopt more healthful lifestyles, particularly when enjoying outdoor activities.

Houston will pledge to encourage its residents to practice sun safety when participating in outdoor activities. Plans are to teach sun safety programs within schools and at informal education programs including city parks and recreation, after-school programs, summer camps, and children's science centers. The city will develop a sun safety policy for city outdoor workers and will promote sun safety at all city-sponsored events and venues.

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Regional Administrator Attends Clean Air Event

Richard Greene, Regional Administrator, joined Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Clean Energy founder Boone Pickens at groundbreaking ceremonies today, April 26, 2005, for a new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicular fueling station at Dallas Love Field.

"Clean air in Dallas and Fort Worth is an issue that affects us all," remarked Administrator Greene. "It will take all of us working together to solve it. Today's groundbreaking shows how government at every level is working hand-in-hand with business to find solutions. I commend Dallas and Mayor Miller for their leadership." Read more >

News Release from Clean Energy in PDF format (34K)

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Tulsa Program Receives National Clean Air Award

A program to teach high school students how their driving decisions affect air quality was one of only 13 programs across the nation selected for EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Award. The Indian Nations Council of Governments was honored for developing the Tulsa Air Quality Enhancement and Education Program. Read more

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Clear Skies - Better Health, Brighter Future

The President's Clear Skies legislation would create a mandatory program that would dramatically reduce power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury by setting a national cap on each pollutant.

The President's Clear Skies bill was proposed in response to a growing need for an emission reduction plan that will protect human health and the environment while providing regulatory certainty to the industry. Read more >

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CLEAN AIR INTERSTATE RULE (CAIR) - Cleaner Air, Healthier Lives, and a Strong America

On March 10, 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), a rule that willachieve the largest reduction in air pollution in more than a decade. This action, called the Interstate Air Quality Rule when it was proposed in January 2004, offers steep and sustained reductions in air pollution as well as dramatic health benefits at more than 25 times greater than the cost by 2015. Read more >

Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) news release

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Clean Air Mercury Rule

In January 2004 EPA proposed the Clean Air Mercury Rule for controlling mercury emissions from power plants. On February 23, 2004, EPA signed a supplemental proposal addressing areas not covered in the January 30 Federal Register notice. In a separate but closely related action, EPA proposed the Clean Air Interstate Rule which focuses on states whose SO2 and NOx emissions are significantly contributing to fine particle and ozone pollution problems in other downwind states. Together, the Clean Air Mercury Rule proposal and the Clean Air Interstate Rule proposal create a multi-pollutant strategy to improve air quality throughout the U.S. Read more >

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Air State Implementation Plans

The Clean Air Act requires states to submit plans to EPA which provide for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the national ambient air quality standards for the criteria pollutants (i.e., ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM-10), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead). Each plan submitted must undergo reasonable notice and public hearing and include enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, schedules and timetables for compliance. The EPA approved SIP regulations are available for each State. Read more >

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Ozone (O3) Flex Program

The Air Quality Ozone Flex Program is a voluntary approach to maintain attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level Ozone. It requires that a candidate city, county, or area develop a formal agreement to conduct emissions inventories, perform air quality modeling, and implement voluntary control measures to effect air quality improvements. It is designed for areas close to violating the 1-hour ozone air quality standard. Implementation of voluntary control measures in the Ozone Flex plans will help areas to avoid violating the 1-hour ozone air quality standard, while providing benefits toward reducing exceedances of the 8-hour ozone air quality standard. Early actions now will improve air quality and provide public health benefits. Read more >

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Air Permits

Three Federal programs mandated by the Clean Air Act and the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments impact Air Permits for facilities that are defined as stationary sources. The regulations for these programs can be found in the 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): New Source Review (40 CFR part 51), Operating Permits (40 CFR part 70), and Air Toxics (40 CFR part 63). Read more >

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Regional Administrator Greene announces Clean Diesel Project in Houston

EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced a $150,000 grant today to the Port of Houston Authority to reduce air emissions from diesel equipment. The grant will be used to help retrofit rubber tired gantry cranes and terminal tractors with diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel emulsion to reduce harmful components in their exhaust. Read more >

News Release | en español |