Timothy Riley

November 28, 2006

Last week the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) circulated proposed amendments to Texas' State Implementation Plan (SIP), which impose more stringent air quality requirements in an attempt to satisfy federally-mandated standards by 2009. Yet, even with the proposed rules, TCEQ projects that neither the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria nor the Dallas/Fort Worth non-attainment areas will meet the 2009 deadline. Modeling predicts that both areas will not comply with the new federal 8-hour ozone standard until some time between 2009 and 2018.

Regulating ozone emissions is a difficult and complex undertaking in Texas. For instance, Houston is home to the world's largest petrochemical complex, which emits a substantial volume of highly volatile precursor chemicals that create ozone pollution. Additionally, a healthy percentage of ozone-causing air pollution derives from sources beyond the state's control, such as large ships traveling in the Houston Ship Channel and commercial truck traffic between the U.S. and Mexico. Moreover, in the Dallas/Fort Worth non-attainment area, almost three-fourths of ozone creating pollutants are emitted by mobile point sources—or, in other words, the pollution is a result of the over four million people commuting and living in an already urbanized corridor of Texas that is currently experiencing unprecedented growth.

In addressing these complex challenges, the TCEQ is focusing on reducing the toxic potency of the fuels that drive the state's largest economic markets. In Houston, efforts are underway to convert marine fuels to comply with Texas Low Emission Diesel Standards. The proposed rules will continue to support the legislatively enacted Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, which provides economic incentives and financial support to help private and public vehicle fleets convert or replace older, less efficient, heavy duty diesel engines with modern, fuel efficient equipment.

For more information:

Newswire Story on the Topic: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2006/2006-11-24-09.asp#anchor1

Texas State Implementation Plan: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/nav/eq/sip.html

Texas Emission Reduction Plan: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/air/terp/