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The Latest Breaking News from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

The “1-mile rule”: Texas’ unwritten, arbitrary policy protects big polluters from citizen complaints

It’s not found anywhere in state law or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s rules, but for years the agency has denied citizens the ability to challenge air pollution permits because they live more than a mile away.

The Texas Tribune

Texas House moves to crack down on polluters with stricter penalties and heavier oversight

The bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to focus enforcement and increase penalties on repeat violators and increase public outreach. Still, environmental advocates say the effort was too “modest” in its reach.

The Texas Tribune

Shell refinery unit in Deer Park had history of malfunctions before fire

Recent “upsets” like tripped compressors, pressure loss and freezing weather resulted in thousands of pounds of unauthorized pollution but no fines or citations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The Texas Tribune

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At a heated public hearing, residents urge state agency to reject permit for chemical facility that burned in 2019

In Deer Park near Houston, memories of the massive ITC fire are still fresh. Residents told state environmental regulators they should reject the company’s permit renewal, but officials said the fire won’t be part of the decision.

The Texas Tribune

Texas’ water infrastructure is broken, jeopardizing quality and supply for a growing state

On a daily basis, water managers in cities across the state move from crisis to crisis hoping to keep the water flowing to residents.

The Texas Tribune

Following Internal Review of Texas Environmental Regulators, Critics Demand Reform

Watchdogs call for creation of an environmental justice office, better monitoring of Clean Air Act violations.

Capital & Main

Internal Review of Texas Environmental Regulators Finds ‘Distrust and Confusion’

Critics call for removal of state agency’s economic mandate.

Capital & Main

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Texas Senate seeks increased penalties on polluters as it renews state’s environmental agency

The bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to focus enforcement on repeat violators and increase public outreach.

The Texas Tribune

Senator’s bill would fine Texans for multiple environmental complaints that don’t lead to enforcement

The bill would impose fines when residents make more than three complaints to the state environmental agency in a year if they don’t result in enforcement action. Critics warn the bill would discourage people from reporting pollution.

The Texas Tribune

Texas Senate moves to set aside billions for future water needs

The Senate on Monday passed a bill that would create a new state fund tailored for large or long-shot water supply projects, including marine desalination. The bill will advance to the House.

The Texas Tribune

Environmental group says Texas fails to hold repeat polluters accountable for unexpected emissions

A new report found that companies in Texas have had 21,000 unexpected pollution releases that emitted 400,000 tons of air pollution over six years, but only 1% of them prompted action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The Texas Tribune

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