![[logo] US EPA](images2/epaseal.gif "United States Environmental Protection Agency")
Region 6: EPA Texas
Featured Stories
Ozone Air Quality Standard
EPA proposed a new ozone ambient air standard that significantly strengthens our air quality benchmarks. The standard will have important public health benefits which far outweigh the cost of industrial controls. Compliance with the standard in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is likely to require emissions reductions from a variety of source categories in the region, including from the oil and gas sector. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the process of setting these standards.
Comment period closes March 22, 2010. Send comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0172, through the www.regulations.gov web site, or by e-mail to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
More information is available at:http://www.epa.gov/air/ozonepollution/actions.html.
Review copy of EPA's presentation (PDF, 430 KB)
News
Hydraulic Fracturing Study
EPA announced that it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. EPA has requested that the Environmental Engineering Committee (EEC) of the SAB evaluate and provide advice on EPA’s proposed approach. EPA will use this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.
More information on hydraulic fracturing: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html
More information on the SAB and the supporting documents: http://www.epa.gov/sab
Seeking Air Permit Scientists and Engineers
Need a job? EPA is hiring environmental engineers and scientists for its clean air permitting program in Dallas, Texas. Join our team in performing oversight of state and local permitting programs including program audits, direct assistance to state and local agencies, and recommending actions to correct program deficiencies. Dust off your resume applications will be accepted soon. Apply online at USAJobs.
Fix A Leak Week
Every Drop Counts
More than 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted in U.S. homes each year from easy-to-fix leaks. That’s why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense® program is sponsoring Fix a Leak Week from March 15 to 21, 2010.
News Release
Statement from EPA Regarding Texas Petition
"Todays action is not surprising. Texas officials have repeatedly expressed opposition to the EPA's common sense approach to begin reducing harmful greenhouse gases," said Dr. Al Armendariz, EPA Regional Administrator for Region 6. "Region 6, which contributes up to 35 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted by industrial sources in the United States, should be leading the way in this effort. Instead, Texas officials are attempting to slow progress with unnecessary litigation. EPA is confident the endangerment finding, which was issued as a result of a 2007 Supreme Court decision, will withstand legal challenge."
Oil and Gas Production
Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. But there are compelling reasons to believe that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment, which demands further study. To address those concerns and strengthen our clean energy future, a budget has been proposed to fund a comprehensive scientific study of hydraulic fracturing and EPA is working with Congress to start that study as soon as possible.
Oklahoma Recovery Act Celebration
Oklahoma is the first of five states, which make up EPA Region 6, to complete funding water projects using Recovery Act monies. 0ver 40 communities statewide benefit from these projects focused on improving clean water and drinking water systems . These Recovery Act (or Stimulus) dollars provided much needed benefits by creating jobs and strengthening community infrastructure. Achieving this milestone not only helps start this work now - it also puts Oklahoma at the front of the pack for possibly getting additional monies unspent by other states.
Recent News
More Topics
Sign up for Texas air quality updates
Interested in receiving updates about air quality in Texas? Sign up for our electronic air quality alerts and get them directly to your email account. Sign Up HERE
Public Participation
A copy of the new public participation proposal is available on the state's Web site.
If approved by the TCEQ Commissioners on December 9th, Texas would notice the proposal and accept public comment on their revisions.
In light of these developments, EPA will extend the deadline for final action on the state's public participation program until October 29, 2010. The extension will provide time for the state to adopt the necessary rules to reform its public participation program.
EPA Objection to Texas Permits
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review permits proposed by the state and raise any objections within 45 days. The EPA regional office in Dallas is fulfilling its statutory requirement as one measure to ensure the state's program complies with national law. EPA has raised objections on permits proposed by the state. A complete listing is available (scroll down to "EPA Objection Letters). The state has 90 days to satisfy the objections by revising and resubmitting proposed permits or the permits default to EPA.
EPA Proposes to Disapprove Texas Changes to Air Permitting Program
EPA proposes to disapprove key aspects of the Texas clean-air permitting program in order to make those provisions more protective of air quality as required by the Clean Air Act. Final decisions about changing the program will be made under expedited schedule. Comment period closed on November 23, 2009. More
BCCA Settlement
EPA and business group reached an agreement regarding the timing of federal review of the Texas’ air permitting program. Comment period closed on August 31, 2009.
EPA 2010 Priorities
Administrator Jackson outlined seven priorities for EPA's future. The key themes of these priorities focus on work to protect human health and the environment for all Americans. Read Regional Administrator Armendariz's thoughts (PDF) (4 pp, 36K, About PDF) on how our work fits into the Administrator's priorities.
300-Day Plan
Our communities have placed their trust in us to protect their land, air and water. They expect measurable environmental results and transparency. Our Region 6 300-Day Plan for 2009 (PDF) (4 pp, 75K, About PDF) outlines how we will join with our partners to achieve the shared priorities outlined in this plan.
2009 300-Day Plan Accomplishments
Our 2009 300-Day Plan Accomplishments (PDF) (4 pp, 75K, About PDF) report tracks how the Region did in meeting the goals of our strategic plan.
Customer Call Center: (800) 887 - 6063
1445 Ross Avenue
Suite 1200 Dallas, Texas 75202
Report Violations / Emergencies
