The Latest Breaking News from TCEQ

Texas Wants to Adopt Outdated Cancer Risk Standard Despite Concerns

TCEQ is proposing to quietly adopt its 17-year-old cancer standard that leading scientists and public health officials call inadequate.

Texas Observer · Oct 13, 2023

Texas quietly moves to formalize acceptable cancer risk from industrial air pollution. Public health officials say it’s not strict enough.

Without public hearings, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is proposing to adopt its 17-year-old standard that scientists and public health officials say fails to account for cumulative air pollution.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 13, 2023

EPA’s inspector general says agency isn’t enforcing benzene pollution rules at refineries in Texas, nationally

A report by the federal environmental agency’s internal watchdog found that EPA is failing to enforce its own pollution limits for the known carcinogen at many refineries — including some in Texas.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 7, 2023

Texas has already seen 25 chemical emergencies this year. Here’s how to protect yourself during the next one.

Preparing for a chemical incident means knowing which industrial facilities are near you, creating a disaster supply kit and signing up for alerts from local emergency managers ahead of time.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 26, 2023

EPA will decide if the state is doing enough to reduce pollution in two East Texas counties

The federal agency has settled a lawsuit the Sierra Club brought over pollution from a coal-burning power plant. The agreement requires the EPA to weigh in on the state’s plan to improve air quality in Rusk and Panola counties.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 20, 2023

West Texas gas operators released tons of excess emissions during June heat wave

When sizzling temperatures in June affected the air pressure in pipelines in West Texas, companies in five counties vented millions of pounds of natural gas and other toxins into the air.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 19, 2023

A Comal County ranch owner ponders selling his land, setting off another clash between property rights and environmental concerns

When the owner applied for a state permit that could pave the way for a subdivision, neighbors and environmentalists rallied against it in the name of protecting the area’s rivers and the Edwards Aquifer.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 13, 2023

Pipeline Operators Release or Flare Tons of Gas During June Heatwave

One company vented more than 500,000 pounds of gas toxins into the air during 17 events over a week-long period of extreme heat in June.

Texas Observer · Jun 30, 2023

Dow’s River

Dow chemical company holds all the cards on the Brazos River. Part of the Observer's "Drifting Toward Disaster" series on Texas waterways.

Texas Observer · Jun 12, 2023

State environmental agency proposes new rules for concrete plants in Texas

The TCEQ has proposed changes to concrete batch plant permits including lowering production limits, reducing dust coming from plants and setting minimum distance requirements from nearby communities.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 12, 2023