A coalition of environmental groups are suing the EPA, because of pollution in Texas.
One is the Environmental Integrity Project. Their Tom Pelton says the EPA failed to ensure that Texas issues strong air pollution control permits. He says eight plants are in violation. He says the permits Texas issued are unenforceable. "The permits themselves are so opaque, inscrutable and poorly designed, not enough monitoring, that they aren't controlling air pollution."
He says the permits are weak, and this is about accountability. "All of us in our personal lives have to be accountable. We all have to follow speed limits. It's time for the EPA to make sure Texas ensures that industry also follows the rules."
Pelton says this has been going on for years. The suit asks the EPA to direct the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue stronger air pollution control permits.
One of the plaintiffs is West Texans Neta Rhyne of Reeves County. "Until EPA steps up to do its job and ensures that emission limits in Texas permits are actually enforceable, Permian Basin gas plants will continue to fill the air with illegal air pollution. This is a problem that's getting worse, not better and, as a lung cancer survivor, I fear for my health and well-being every time I walk outside and breathe the polluted air."
The other plaintiffs are Environment Texas the Port Arthur Community Action Network, and the Sierra Club.
The eight plants include the Waha Gas Plant is located in Pecos County, south of Odessa in West Texas
The Premcor Port Arthur Refinery in Jefferson County, south of Beaumont;
The Sandy Creek Energy Station in McLennan County, south of Dallas;
Phillips 66's Borger Refinery in Hutchinson County, north of Amarillo in North Texas;
The Kinder Morgan Galena Park oil and gas processing plant in Harris County, on the Houston Ship Channel;
The BP Texas City Chemical Plant in Galveston County, southeast of Houston;
The Blanchard Galveston Bay plant in Galveston County;
The Oak Grove Steam Electric Station coal-fired power plant in Robertson County, East of Waco
Pelton says this has been going on for years. The suit asks the EPA to direct the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue stronger air pollution control permits.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
