In Texas, industrial facilities are avoiding stricter federal environmental regulations by classifying themselves as "minor" sources, raising concerns about air pollution and regulatory oversight.
In short:
- Companies in Texas exploit legal distinctions between major and minor pollution sources to bypass stringent federal environmental standards, a practice that exacerbates air pollution.
- Environmental attorneys and experts identify a systemic issue in Texas' permitting process, where facilities underreport emissions or split their operations to evade federal oversight.
- This practice, while legal, contradicts the spirit of environmental protection laws, leading to significant environmental and health concerns in areas like Greater Houston.
Key quote:
"This is sort of a foundational problem with Texas permitting and it’s leading to a lot of harm."
— Gabriel Clark-Leach, former staff attorney for the Environmental Integrity Project.
More Top News:
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.
