Tag Archives: Clean Air Act

Our still-smoggy skies

Posted on April 23, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

We’re being called on the carpet for them. The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday sought to list the Houston and Dallas metro areas as “severe” violators of 2008 federal ozone pollution standards, kicking off a process that will likely impose … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Our still-smoggy skies

County files lawsuit over Watson Grinding explosion

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As well they should. Harris County and state officials entered the fray Thursday, bringing civil charges against Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in the explosion that left two dead and damaged 450 structures last week in west Houston. The county has … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harris County sues ITC over Deer Park fire

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Go get ’em. Harris County has sued Intercontinental Terminals Co. for failing to prevent a massive chemical fire that burned for more than 60 hours last week and spewed an unknown volume of hazardous chemicals into the air and nearby … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County sues ITC over Deer Park fire

State sues over Deer Park fire

Posted on March 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Too big to ignore. Late Friday, the state of Texas sued Intercontinental Terminals — the Houston-based company whose petrochemical storage facility in the suburb of Deer Park caught fire last weekend and burned for days, sending a dramatic plume of … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Harris County sues Arkema

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County filed suit Thursday against Arkema over chemical fires at its Crosby plant in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, saying the company violated a long list of environmental, safety and building regulations and put first responders at risk. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County sues Arkema

Harris County files lawsuit against Arkema

Posted on September 30, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

More trouble for that nasty and troublesome chemical plant. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday authorized the county attorney to file a lawsuit against Arkema over its struggles to manage stores of hazardous chemicals during Hurricane Harvey. The county’s Pollution … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County files lawsuit against Arkema

Environmentalists petition EPA to strip Texas of some authorities

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This unfortunately is not likely to go anywhere, but I relish the idea anyway. Alleging that Texas has dramatically eroded its safeguards against air and water pollution, two environmental groups are asking the federal government to step in. The Environmental … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Environmentalists petition EPA to strip Texas of some authorities

More rules against polluting your neighbors proposed

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed tougher new limits on Tuesday on smokestack emissions from Texas and 22 other states that burden downwind areas with air pollution from power plants they can’t control. At the same time, the EPA moved … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on More rules against polluting your neighbors proposed

Not everyone wants Texas to sue the EPA again

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It won’t mean anything to those that are hell-bent on suing, but it is worth keeping in mind. President Obama is set to unveil the nitty-gritty of his sweeping, state-by-state plan to fight climate change this week — his most … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Not everyone wants Texas to sue the EPA again

Split decision on cross-state air pollution rule

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Not too bad, actually. Texas’ Republican leaders and environmentalists are both claiming victory Tuesday following an appeals court ruling that requires the federal government to ease limits on certain emissions for Texas and a dozen other states. The U.S. Court … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Split decision on cross-state air pollution rule

Texas plans to sue over EPA’s latest clean air plan

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

So what else is new? Attorney General Ken Paxton said Tuesday that he plans to sue the Obama administration over the proposed “Clean Power Plan,” its plan to combat climate change by slashing carbon emissions from power plants. “Texas has … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Once again to SCOTUS for Texas and the EPA

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Plus ca change, and all that. Texas again went head-to-head with the Environmental Protection Agency before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, this time challenging federal limits on the emission of pollutants like mercury, acid gases and other toxic metals … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Once again to SCOTUS for Texas and the EPA

Another win for the EPA at the Supreme Court

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

And thus another loss for Greg Abbott and Rick Perry. The Supreme Court on Monday mostly validated the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to regulate power plant and factory emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming while imposing some limits … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

SCOTUS upholds CSAPR

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Some very good news for people who like to breathe. The question was who should pay for air pollution that crosses state lines. The answer, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, is blowing in the wind. States in the Midwest and … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Texas stands with polluters against the EPA one more time

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. The Obama administration’s climate change agenda on Monday faced one of its first real tests in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, where Texas and a group of industry leaders challenged an Environmental Protection Agency regulation aimed … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Texas stands with polluters against the EPA one more time

EPA and TCEQ settle lawsuits over flex permits

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

One less court fight for us and the feds. The EPA and Texas on Wednesday said they have reached a deal over state permits for industrial air pollution, ending a four-year fight that to some had become a symbol of … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on EPA and TCEQ settle lawsuits over flex permits

Texas loses another lawsuit against the EPA

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Getting to be a habit. A federal appeals court on Friday rejected a legal challenge by Texas and Wyoming to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Texas loses another lawsuit against the EPA

Texas versus EPA, round one zillion

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The desire to coddle polluters is strong in this one. A Texas-led coalition of energy-producing states has asked the Supreme Court to hear a case involving the Obama administration’s efforts to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Texas versus EPA, round one zillion

Soot

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

We have it. What are we going to do about it? Harris County, long known for smog, will need to clamp down on another harmful type of air pollution for the first time under new rules imposed by federal regulators … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Soot

Count tells EPA to review flex permits

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Score one for Texas. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency’s disapproval of Texas’ Flexible Permits program was not supported by the Clean Air Act. Under the Flexible Permits program, which had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Count tells EPA to review flex permits

That other big lawsuit

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it, there was another big ruling last week that will have a profound effect on Texas. A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a finding by the Environmental Protection Agency that greenhouse gases pose a public health … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Flex permit” plants agree to follow EPA guidelines

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Somehow, the world continued to rotate on its axis afterward. The unique way Texas regulates air pollution from refineries, chemical plants and other major industries is no more — for now. The EPA said Tuesday all 136 industrial plants with … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More Texas v. EPA

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The stakes keep getting higher. The EPA has threatened dozens of Texas refiners and chemical and plastic makers with penalties if they don’t begin taking steps to bring their air pollution permits into compliance with federal law by late December. … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on More Texas v. EPA

Texas thumbs its nose at the feds again

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Why bother to secede when all you need to do is disobey? Texas has refused to meet new federal greenhouse gas emission rules that go into effect in January, the latest anti-Washington move in an ongoing battle that could halt … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Texas thumbs its nose at the feds again

Lawmakers ask TCEQ to help plants comply with EPA

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a good idea. After a lobbying push by oil giants, a bipartisan group of Texas legislators have asked state environmental regulators to quickly solve a permit dispute with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that has left some of … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

State sues the EPA again

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Round and round we go… Texas has sued the federal Environmental Protection Agency for the second time in six weeks, escalating a feud over the state’s rules for air pollution from refiners and other large industries. State Attorney General Greg … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on State sues the EPA again

EPA goes after more permits

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it was taking over the issuance of operating permits for two more Texas facilities — Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou and Garland Power and Light — further escalating the federal-state fight over … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on EPA goes after more permits

Texas sues the EPA

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose this was inevitable. Texas filed a federal court challenge Monday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reject part of the state’s air-quality program. […] State Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office — in a statement accompanying the … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

TCEQ versus EPA

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This fight between the TCEQ and the EPA, or more broadly between polluters and people who like to breathe, has been coming for a long time. Environmentalists are excited by the EPA’s new aggressive posture and hope it prompts an … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why should anyone trust the TCEQ?

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry wants the EPA to back off. I know, I’m as shocked as you are. Gov. Rick Perry, citing improvements in Texas air quality, asked President Barack Obama on Friday to get regional Environmental Protection Agency administrators to back … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Here comes the EPA

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

No one can say they weren’t warned. Objecting to how Texas regulates air pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it is taking over the issuance of an operating permit for a Corpus Christi refinery and could step in … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments