The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved
penalties totaling $3,011,628 against 123 regulated entities for
violations of state environmental regulations.
Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement
categories: 22 air quality, one dry cleaner, one field citation,
one industrial hazardous waste, two industrial waste discharge, one
licensed irrigator, 11 multi-media, five municipal solid waste, 13
municipal waste discharge, one on site sewage facility, 25
petroleum storage tank, 10 public water system, eight water
quality, and one water right. In addition, default orders were
issued for the following categories: one air quality, one
industrial hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, one
multi-media, 14 petroleum storage tank, two public water system,
and one petroleum storage tank default and shutdown order.
Included in the total were fines against Dow Chemical, of
Brazoria County in the amount of $648,904 for numerous air and
industrial and hazardous waste violations, documented in routine
inspections, conducted between 2003-2006. Of that fine total, a
Supplemental Environmental Project of $324,452 will be provided to
the Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles Program, in Brazoria County.
Also included in the total were fines against Total
Petrochemicals, Jefferson County, in the amount of $529,300. The
fines were the result of 21 air violations, documented in a routine
inspections conducted in 2007. Of that fine total, a $211,720 SEP
amount will be contributed to the Texas Association of Resource
Conservation and Development Areas, Inc., to help replace and
retrofit older diesel school buses.
Also included in the total were fines against South Hampton
Resources, Inc., formerly known as South Hampton Refining Company,
in Hardin County, in the amount of $274,433 for a total of 38
various air and industrial and hazardous waste violations. Of that
fine total, a $137,216 SEP amount will be contributed to the Texas
Association of Resource Conservation and Development Areas, Inc.,
for water or wastewater assistance.
Also included in the total were fines against E.I. du Pont de
Nemours and Company dba Du Pont Sabine River Works, in Orange
County, in the amount of $176,575 for a total of 27 various air,
public water supply and water quality violations. Of that fine
total, an $88,287 SEP amount will be contributed to the Ducks
Unlimited for reforestation of the Tony Houseman State Park and
Wildlife Management Area.
The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Oct. 22. Agenda
items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be
viewed on the TCEQ
Web site. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and
archived meetings are available, at TexasAdMin.com.
