12 Texas Counties Fail Air Quality Standards, State Proposes Limited Action

Twelve Texas counties have surpassed air quality limits, but state regulators suggest only four need to improve their air quality.

12 Texas Counties Fail Air Quality Standards, State Proposes Limited Action
12 Texas Counties Fail Air Quality Standards, State Proposes Limited Action

They looked at air quality data from 2021 to 2023 and decided that only Dallas, Harris (which includes Houston), Tarrant (Fort Worth), and Bowie (Texarkana) should be held accountable. The other eight counties, including Travis (Austin) and Montgomery (Conroe), were let off the hook due to claims of “exceptional events” like wildfires and dust storms.

Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered the acceptable level of particulate matter in the air, marking a significant change since 2012. This was part of the Biden administration’s push for better environmental standards.

Particulate matter comes from various sources, including diesel engines and industrial activities, and is known to be harmful to health. It can worsen respiratory issues and even lead to premature death.

While TCEQ initially flagged all twelve counties for exceeding the new standards, they later revised their assessment, which surprised some experts. Harris County, home to a large petrochemical industry, has the highest levels of particulate matter in the state.

Interestingly, some counties were removed from the nonattainment list because TCEQ claimed their air quality was affected by outside factors, like emissions from Mexico. This has raised eyebrows among environmental advocates who argue that the agency is misusing the “exceptional events” rule to avoid stricter regulations.

Industry groups are concerned that these new EPA rules could hinder economic growth and make it harder to get permits for new projects. TCEQ’s recommendations still need approval from its commissioners and must be submitted to the EPA by February 7.

Public input is being gathered until January 21, and many are questioning whether the agency is using the exceptional events rule correctly. Experts believe that without proper monitoring, it’s tough to pinpoint the sources of pollution spikes.

Texas has a large air monitoring network, but many counties lack adequate monitoring for particulate matter. This means some areas with significant pollution sources might not be held accountable for their air quality.

Overall, the situation is complex, and many are calling for better monitoring and stricter regulations to protect public health.

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