The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
November 1, 2014
Consistent with changes enacted into state law in 2013, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will return to being the sole preconstruction air-permitting authority in Texas, including for permits that address greenhouse-gas emissions.
This change marks a departure from the previous two-tiered system in which the TCEQ issued federally required Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits for “traditional” pollutants and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued PSD permits for greenhouse-gas emissions.
To foster continued economic prosperity in Texas, the state has worked diligently to become the greenhouse-gas permitting authority while also vigorously opposing select components of the EPA’s greenhouse-gas permitting program in the court system.
“While the State of Texas continues to disagree with the EPA program to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions, the TCEQ has a system in place to ensure timely permitting that provides stability and predictability to our State’s regulatory framework,” said TCEQ Chairman Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D.,P.E.
TCEQ personnel already review hundreds of air-permit preconstruction authorizations each year, including a number of PSD permits. This extensive permitting experience and technical expertise make the TCEQ’s permitting staff well-equipped to ensure technically sound and prompt review.
For more information contact Terry Clawson, 512-239-0046.
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The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) adopts amendments to §3.9 and §3.46, relating to disposal wells, and fluid injection into productive reservoirs, with changes from the proposed text published in the August 29, 2014 issue of the Texas Register (39 TexReg 6775). The adopted amendments incorporate requirements related to seismic events in connection with disposal well permits, monitoring and reporting.
For more information go to: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/media/24613/adopt-amend-3-9and3-46-seismic-ac...
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
11/1/2014