TCEQ Blasted by Citizens at Smog Public Hearing
by Brandt Mannchen, February 2007
TCEQ Blasted by Citizens at Smog Public Hearing
On January 29, 2007, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ) held a public hearing on two 8-hour ozone (Smog) plans (called
State Implementation Plans) for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area. At the 2 pm public hearing (another hearing was held at 6 pm) about
90 people attended and 12 people spoke.
With the exception of one person (Stelly Holmback), who spoke for an energy company that proposed a different type of emission limit for
turbines for the Dallas-Fort Worth SIP (which the public hearing was also the subject of), all other speakers represented environmental
groups or individuals. All of these other speakers blasted the TCEQ for its weak and inadequate SIP that will not attain the ozone
standard by 2010. TCEQ is seeking an extension of the ozone compliance deadline until 2018.
The Houston Sierra Club (HSC), Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP), Mothers for Clean Air, Citizens for Clean
Air - Clean Water Brazoria County, and Endangered Species Media Project all expressed concerns that not enough was being done to
clean-up Houston's air.
Brandt Mannchen of the HSC said that "The party is over!" and that TCEQ's assertions that it had sufficient money and investigators to
do the job were "untrue statements".
Sabrina Strawn of GHASP stated that deadlines have slipped; there are modeling probems; and that Los Angeles has reduced its smog level
twice as fast as Houston. TCEQ's SIP seemed to be "designed to give industry cover" and that TCEQ needed to "stand with and not against us!"
Jane Laping of Mothers for Clean Air said that the SIP was not a first step but "more like a 12th step!" Strong leadership is needed
at the top and where is Houston's "can-do attitude". Ms. Laping asked TCEQ not to make children hold their breaths any longer.
Melanie Oldham of Citizens for Clean Air - Clean Water Brazoria County, was concerned that there was not enough fenceline
monitoring. Margaret Mitchell was concerned about cumulative effects of air pollutants and that the U.S. EPA has forgotten our "Cancer
Coast". She said "if Houston can't solve our problems who can".
Terri Thomas was disappointed that none of the TCEQ commissioners were present. She said that the health effects of air pollution were
adding to our overburdened health care system. Tom Mckittrick was concerend about his asthmatic grandson. He suggested that all 2-
stroke engines should be banned and that a children's advocate should be put on the TERP advisory board.
Annie Stewart just found out about the meeting that afternoon. She was concerned about the emissions from industry, storage tanks,
ships, and trucks on the Houston Ship Channel that affect her and other neighborhoods like Clinton Park.
Frank Salsandier from the Endangered Species Media Project asked why has our city fallen behind in meeting the ozone standard. He said
that we need to put a face on the individuals who water down envrionmental rules. Politicians need to be held acountable so they cannot hide behind agencies.
Lucy Randell is a mother and an environmental engineer. She said because the emissions inventory is inaccraute there needs to be more
air monitoring and that the deadline to meet the ozone standard was "too far out".
Finally, Rosalie Guerrero was concerned that Houston air pollution was affecting her in Sugarland. She wanted to see more air monitoring in Fort Bend County.
When you add it all up citizens were angry, disappointed, and tired of half-measures from TCEQ. They want the TCEQ commissioners to come
to public hearings and experience the bad air pollution they do. They want clean air much sooner and not much later.
