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Region 6: EPA Texas
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EPA Disapproves Components of TCEQ’s Air Permitting Program
Today EPA disapproved aspects of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) clean-air permitting program that do not meet federal Clean Air Act requirements. EPA has been working with the state and interested parties to better align the TCEQ air permitting program with federal requirements and existing state programs, so that air permitting in the state will better protect air quality for all Texans. TCEQ continues to have the authority to issue permits under prior EPA approval of its 1992 NSR program.
Federal Register Notice (133 pages, PDF, 400 KB)
EPA speaks at Texas Chemical Council meeting
EPA Region 6 Administrator Al Armendariz discussed EPA priorities at the TexasChemical Council Air Conservation Committee quarterly meeting in Houston, Texas. Dr. Armendariz also discussed regulatory issues including EPA's ongoing work with TCEQ to address air permitting in Texas with about 80 industry representatives.
Coal Combustion Residuals - Sept 8 Public Hearing
EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery will now hold seven public hearings in locations across the U.S. The September 8 hearing will be held in Dallas at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75207; Phone: (214) 651-1234.
These hearings will provide interested persons the opportunity to present their views on the proposed rule: Identification and Listing of Special Waste: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities, also known as the coal combustion residuals rule, the CCR rule or the coal ash rule. Each hearing will have a morning, afternoon and evening session, starting at 10:00 a.m. (local time) and ending at 9:00 p.m. or later depending on the number of speakers.
If you would like to speak at the hearing, please preregister.
Transcripts of all the public hearings and the written statements will be part of the record for this rulemaking. A transcript of each hearing will also be made available on EPA's website within a few weeks of each hearing.
Federal Register - July 15, 2010
EPA Proposal to Reclassify DFW for Ozone
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to reclassify the DFW area from a moderate nonattainment area to serious nonattainment area for Ozone. The public will have 30-days to comment after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The area failed to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. The DFW area includes nine counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties.
News
2011 National Brownfields Conference
The 2011 National Brownfields Conference will be held April 3-5, 2011 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Find out more ways to get involved.
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.
EPA to Study Hydraulic Fracturing and Hold Public Meetings
More information on hydraulic fracturing
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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
EPA Disapproves Texas Flexible Air Permit Program
The Environmental Protection Agency disapproved the Texas Flexible Permit Program that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had submitted for inclusion in its federally approved State Implementation Plan.
LOG 560 Federal Register on Texas Air Permit, Revision to the New Source Review (25 pages, PDF, 3.05 MB)
Texas Qualified Facilities SIP Final Disapproval
On March 31, 2010, EPA disapproved the Qualified Facilities exemption rule that TCEQ had submitted for inclusion in its federally approved State Implementation Plan. The rule allows companies that have Texas issued air permits to avoid certain federal clean-air requirements including public review when they modify their plants. EPA has determined that this regulation does not meet several federal Clean Air Act requirements.
EPA’s action has been published in the Federal Register.
Press Release -- Summary (23 pages, PDF, 625KB) -- Federal Register Notice (116 pages, PDF, 3.08MB)
Voluntary Compliance Audit Program for Texas Flexible Permit Holders
The published version of the proposed Audit Agreement is provided below for easy reference. Any changes to the Agreement, based upon comments received during public comment will be added to the docket and provided here following public comment.
Texas Flexible Permit Audit Agreement (50 pages, PDF, 196 KB)
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 2010 (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.
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