The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is providing an opportunity for the public to comment on a proposed amendment to the air quality standard permit for concrete batch plants.

TCEQ originally issued the concrete batch plant standard permit in 2000, amended it in 2003, 2012, and again in 2021.

This proposed amendment will include an updated Air Quality Analysis (AQA) and corresponding revisions to certain provisions of the standard permit. The AQA is a report containing information that demonstrates that emissions at a concrete batch plant authorized by this standard permit would not cause or contribute to a violation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, exceed a state property line standard, or adversely affect human health and the environment. The proposed amendments to the standard permit include revised operational requirements, additional setback limitations, production limitations, and updated best management practices.

The proposed amendment to the air quality standard permit will have a 60-day comment period. During the comment period, any person may submit written comments on the proposed standard permit amendment. The comment period closes at midnight on June 14, 2023.

Written comments may be submitted electronically via the agency’s public comments webpage, or via mail to Gwen Ricco, MC 205, Office of Legal Services, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. All comments should reference Non-Rule Project No. 2022-033-OTH-NR.

Additionally, the commission will hold a hybrid virtual and in-person public meeting on this proposal in Austin on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in Building E, Room 201S, at the TCEQ’s central office located at 12100 Park 35 Circle. Open discussion will not be permitted during the meeting; however, TCEQ staff members will be available to discuss the proposal 30 minutes prior to the meeting. Spanish language interpretation services will be provided.

Individuals who plan to attend the meeting virtually and want to provide oral comments and/or want their attendance on record must register by Tuesday, May 16, 2023. To register for the meeting, please email Rules@tceq.texas.gov and provide the following information: your name, your affiliation, your email address, your phone number, and whether or not you plan to provide oral comments during the meeting.

Members of the public who do not wish to provide oral comments but would like to view the meeting may do so at:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ODkyNjQ4OTQtM2E2ZC00ZDQzLWFhNGItMDJlZmYwZDQ3NTgz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22871a83a4-a1ce-4b7a-8156-3bcd93a08fba%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22e74a40ea-69d4-469d-a8ef-06f2c9ac2a80%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d

A second in-person meeting will be held on the proposal in Houston, on Monday, May 22, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the East Aldine District located at 2909 E, Aldine Amphitheatre Dr. This meeting will be structured as an informal informational meeting where the public can ask questions and get additional information about the proposal. Formal comments will not be accepted at this meeting. Spanish language interpretation services will be provided.

Copies of the standard permit can be obtained from the 2023 Amendment to the Concrete Batch Plant Standard Permit webpage.