This post was written by Staff Attorney Clara Goodwin.
None of the water in Houston’s bayous and bays meets the minimum water quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but as you go further east the pollution shifts from high bacteria levels to toxins such as dioxins and PCB—pollutants that can have serious health impacts such as cancer, thyroid problems, and interference with the immune system and hormones. Industrial polluters, particularly refineries and petrochemical facilities, are responsible for some of the worst water quality issues in the Houston area. Much of this pollution is the result of a chronic lack of enforcement by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which has even been criticized by state lawmakers. However, in many cases the pollution is allowed by TCEQ’s weak permitting process.
Image: Exxon Mobil Baytown Olefins Plant
This summer we worked with our partners at Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), Caring for Pasadena Communities, and Clean Water Action to submit comments on ExxonMobil Baytown Olefins’ permit renewal and amendment, and signed on to EIP’s comments on the Chevron Cedar Bayou Plant’s permit renewal and amendment. These are some of the first industrial permit comments we have participated in as part of BCWK’s developing industrial risks work. While it is important for facilities to be held accountable for their permit violations, by focusing on the permitting process we can ensure that facilities are not being given a free pass. A stronger permit equals stronger enforcement because a stronger permit does not just mean stricter pollution limits, it can also mean more rigorous monitoring requirements that make it easier to catch violations.
Public comments on permits are also a great opportunity for communities to get involved and find out what is going on at the facilities near them. We are excited to work with community groups who want to engage in the comment process and make sure local polluters are required to comply with the strongest permits possible. You can track local permits using EIP’s Oil & Gas Watch Database or Air Alliance Houston’s Airmail Tool.
If you know of a permit comment opportunity coming up for a facility near you that you are concerned about and you would like support in submitting comments, please reach out to me at clara@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.