2009 Clean Air Recommendations
ACT 2009 Legislative Recommendations
Clean Air Funding
The Legislature should earmark additional funds for the Texas Clean Bus Program to protect school-age Texans from air pollution. The Legislature should fully-fund the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) and the Low-Income Vehicle Repair and Replacement Program, also known as the Drive A Clean Machine Program, and expand the latter program to include electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. ACT supports modifying TERP to encourage reductions of particulate emissions from diesel engines. Diesel emissions are the most frequent source of exposure to airborne toxics for most Texans. Adding particulate filters to the tailpipes of our diesel vehicles and equipment is a low cost way of reducing the damage to our health.
Air Permitting
ACT encourages the Legislature to amend the air permitting provisions of the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 382 to eliminate inconsistencies with the federal Clean Air Act and to address State Implementation Plan deficiencies identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Such inconsistencies and deficiencies include: failure to follow the federal definition of best available control technology, lack of analysis on ozone air quality impacts, failure to consider cumulative impacts, inadequate public notice requirements for air permitting actions, the illegal use of Permits by Rule and Standard Permits, and the lack of authority to recall air permits or amend permits at renewal as necessary to protect air quality and ensure compliance with federal air quality standards.
ACT also urges the Legislature to require the TCEQ to ensure that natural gas production over the Barnett Shale and other sensitive areas of the state relies on the best practices that reduce emissions harmful to human health and to the environment.
Air Toxics
Existing ambient air monitoring data shows that ambient air concentrations of benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and other hazardous air pollutants in certain Texas “hotspots” are sufficient to cause significant health risks. To reduce levels of air toxics in Texas, the Legislature should enact policies to protect public health by reducing emissions in toxic hotspots, increasing scrutiny of facilities in areas where toxic pollution levels are already excessive, and increasing public access to air toxic information. In addition, ACT urges the Legislature to require air permits for facilities located in hotspots to include specific short-terms limits on toxic pollutants of concern, such as benzene.
Air Monitoring
Texas has an extensive network of air monitors for toxics, ozone, particulate matter and other pollutants. Unfortunately, in certain parts of the state, there is insufficient data to assure that air pollutant levels are protective of public health and establish whether a particular area meets health-based standards. More money is needed to add ozone monitors to areas like Waco, Abilene and Lubbock and to expand mercury deposition monitoring in East Texas.
Printer-ready version of ACT’s 2009 Clean Air Recommendations (pdf)
ACT 2009 Clean Air Policy Team
Tom “Smitty” Smith, Public Citizen (team lead)
Ramon Alvarez, Environmental Defense Fund
Elena Craft, Environmental Defense Fund
Luke Metzger, Environment Texas
Cyrus Reed, Sierra Club
Matthew Tajeda, GHASP
Additional Publications and Resources
The Human Cost of Air Pollution
In May 2009, Health Professionals for Clean Air issued a consensus statement endorsing the goal of reducing the health burden of air pollution in Texas and calling for prompt and aggressive action to achieve that goal. HPCA is a Houston-based coalition of doctors, nurses, researchers and other Texas health professionals concerned with the public health impact of poor air quality.
Houston Toxic Pollution: Fact vs Fiction
Despite current petro-chemical industry claims, the current state of air quality in Houston is far from good. This fact sheet, prepared by GHASP as part of a joint project with Industry Professionals for Clean Air, Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Integrity Project, provides accurate information about air pollution in Houston.
Houston, We Have a Problem: A Roadmap for Reducing Petrochemical Industry Toxic Emissions in the Lone Star State
A major report outlining ways petrochemical facilities could implement technologies and management practices to reduce toxic emissions. Released in May 2008 by GHASP, Industry Professionals for Clean Air (IPCA), Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Integrity Project.
Clean School Buses
Environmental Defense Fund has created a comprehensive resource about clean school buses. With links to research, reports, and programs that explain the importance of reducing school bus pollution.
