The way state environmental regulators invite public input at permit meetings is contributing to a “concerning” amount of public distrust in their work, according to a formal review of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Sunset staff recommended permit meetings be held before the permit is issued, in addition to after. They also suggested that the agency be more transparent with what policy decisions guide these processes and make clear who is able to contest a permit in the first place.
Commissioners, including 10 legislators and two members of the public, nearly all of whom are white men, will vote on which changes to recommend to the Legislature.to the recommendation a meetings that the agency would defer to the Legislature’s decision. Staff might not be ready early on to answer questions, he cautioned. And an earlier public meeting would extend how long it takes to approve a permit.
Sunset staff further attributed some of the frustration with the agency to a misunderstanding of what authority TCEQ has. But advocates took offense to their characterization as people who were upset because they couldn’t see the situation clearly. Those on the ground in Texas understood just fine how the agency was failing them, they said. Shelley pointed to specific recommendations: Use good science for pollution standards. Consider neighboring facilities when issuing air emissions permits. Impose significant fines on facilities that pollute too much.there and across Houston, said she didn’t feel very hopeful that this process would go far enough to address their real concerns.
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