In a case filed by Bayou City Waterkeeper and other water advocates nationwide in April 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled last week that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acted unlawfully in declining to update water pollution control standards for seven major industries. The industries include petroleum refineries, inorganic and organic chemical manufacturers, and factories that manufacture plastics, fertilizer, pesticides and nonferrous metals – many of which are concentrated along the industrialized portion of Buffalo Bayou, also known as the Houston Ship Channel. The court agreed with our position that the Clean Water Act requires the EPA to consider technological advancements in controlling water pollution when the agency updates its pollution reduction standards, known as effluent limitation guidelines.
Environmental Integrity Project’s legal team represented Bayou City Waterkeeper and other water advocates in this case. Read the full press release, which includes additional background, on Environmental Integrity Project’s website.
Bayou City Waterkeeper protects the waters and people across the greater Houston region through bold legal action, community science, and creative, grassroots policy to further justice, health, and safety for our region.