The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had requested EPA permission to proceed with a flexible permits program covering 122 petroleum processing facilities that had been covered under a trial effort. Air quality in Texas has dramatically improved under TCEQ leadership and EPA approval of its application would have extended the successful program permanently.
Sounds like a great program, so the EPA should be falling all over themselves to approve extension and securing a valuable part of America's energy needs, right? Heck, the Texas program cut ozone by nearly a quarter, and NOX emissions by nearly half - while increasing production nearly 12%. These are clearly great numbers - but the gnomes in EPA sent them back to square one. Texas must draw up new plans to meet EPA "requirements" - never mind that the results may be inferior to those already obtained.
If it doesn't match the federal regs, it's UNACCEPTABLE. Exclamation Point. Full Stop.
Plus, it's a slap to The Won's Administration's face. Which is (see 2nd line above).
Posted by: Sam L. | July 02, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Ya, if it exceeds the guidelines, then we can't have it.
Posted by: Max | July 02, 2010 at 03:16 PM