Environmental advocates praise Zwiener bill to crackdown on illegal air pollution

Environment Texas

AUSTIN — Industrial facilities released over 3.5 million pounds of illegal air pollution during the Texas Freeze. Similar pollution emissions are far too common during cold snaps, storms and other severe weather events. On top of major weather events, industrial facilities release millions of pounds of illegal air pollution every day. In fact, at least one facility violated its permits and illegally polluted our air every single day in 2019, collectively releasing over 174 million pounds of unauthorized pollution. That same year, five high profile chemical disasters rocked the Greater Houston region, taking people’s lives, releasing millions of pounds of pollution and damaging nearby property.

In a virtual press conference on Thursday, March 11 at 10 am CST, environmental advocates will announce support for Rep. Erin Zwiener’s HB 1820, which will enable the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to levy stronger penalties against companies for illegal air pollution events, help put an end to widespread non-compliance and reduce harmful air pollution that threatens the health of millions of Texans each year. Speakers will include: 

• The Honorable Erin Zwiener, District 45, Texas House of Representatives

• Catherine Fraser, Clean Air Associate, Environment Texas

• Victor Flatt, Dwight Olds Professor of Law, University of Houston

• John Beard, Jr., Chair, Port Arthur Community Action Network

In 2019, TCEQ penalties averaged just one cent per pound of pollution, while 97 percent of all illegal air pollution events were not penalized, according to research from Environment Texas. HB 1820 will address widespread non-compliance within industry by mandating penalties of at least $1 per pound of illegal pollution, adjusting penalties for inflation and empowering TCEQ to suspend, and revoke or reissue permits after a catastrophic event resulting in serious injury or death.

“This legislation will protect clean air and water by rightsizing penalties and strengthening TCEQ’s ability to rein in bad actors,” said Rep. Erin Zwiener.

The bill comes on the heels of Speaker Dade Phelan calling for legislative action to ensure the safety of workers and citizens living near industrial facilities, following a fire and explosions at the TPC Port Neches Facility in his district in November of 2019. 

“This bill would be a major step forward for clean air and a healthy Texas,” said Catherine Fraser, clean air associate with Environment Texas. “Companies cannot just pump out toxic chemicals and pollute our air, and this bill will hold them accountable.”

B-roll photos and footage: Available upon request. Contact Catherine Fraser at [email protected] for zoom link.