On September 30th the House Committee on Environmental Regulation met and heard invited testimony on the two following charges:
Examine the regulation of air quality in the areas of permitting new and modified sources, public participation and enforcement. Consider data and proposed federal standards and rules as they relate to the State Implementation Plan.
Monitor federal legislative and regulatory initiatives as they pertain to climate change. Consider Texas’ responses to proposals and make recommendations as to any further preparations.
EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz told the committee he wants to bring the state into compliance, which would mean ending flexible permits. “That’s my only objective – to get these flexible permit holders good permits issued by the [state],” he said.
TCEQ Chairman Bryan Shaw spoke after Armendariz maintaining the flexible permit program is legal under the Clean Air Act and has helped to reduce pollution and ozone levels in Texas.