TCEQ FINES VALERO’S HOUSTON OPERATION $700,000

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved penalties totaling $1,310,268 against 58 entities at its meeting on August 23. The largest penalty was $700,000 against Valero Refining-Texas, LP, in Harris County for 16 violations, including exceeding emissions limits, failure to properly report emission events, and failure to prevent nuisance conditions. The violations were found during investigations in March and April of 2006. The penalty was the result of an agreed order. According to the Houston Chronicle, Valero also agreed to help 50 residents near the southeast Houston plant weatherize their homes and offer college scholarships to Milby High School students.

The next largest fine, $108,750, was levied against Cemex, Inc, in Ector County for air violations when the facility failed to comply with permitted opacity limits on 30 occasions.

The meeting considered 14 air quality enforcement matters. Other local companies entering into agreed orders regarding air quality violations were BP Products North America, Inc, in Galveston County, Exxon Mobil Corporation in Harris and Jefferson Counties, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP, in Harris County, Innovene USA, LLC, in Brazoria County, Dow Chemical Company in Harris County, Moss Bluff HUB Partners, LP, in Liberty County, and Lyondell Chemical Company in Harris County.