TCEQ Commissioners' Response to EPA's Ozone Standard Proposal
Statements made by the TCEQ Chairman Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., Commissioner Buddy Garcia, and Commissioner Carlos Rubinstein.
Chairman Shaw – Jan. 10, 2010
Clean Skies News talked with Chairman Shaw on Jan. 10, regarding the EPA proposal. Download the transcript in PDF or view the video clip in one of the following formats.
Chairman Shaw – Jan. 7, 2010
The EPA’s own data supports a conclusion that a standard of 85 ppb is protective. This EPA decision provides the illusion of greater protectiveness, but with no regard for cost, in terms of dollars or in terms of the freedoms that Americans are accustomed to.
Commissioner Garcia – Jan. 7, 2010
This new proposed range will cause unwarranted concern in areas currently in attainment. There is no doubt we strive to make the air cleaner through our permitting process and a variety of other programs; but the goals set by EPA must be achievable. The purpose of the clean air act is to protect human health and the environment, not to attain an arbitrary threshold.
Commissioner Rubinstein – Jan. 7, 2010
The Texas legislature has invested more than $1 billion in programs that have resulted in significant reductions in mobile source emissions, mobile sources that the federal government prohibits us from regulating. This is necessary because Texas is penalized for ozone nonattainment that is caused in large part by these mobile source emissions that the state cannot regulate. This new proposed range from the federal government will cause urban areas across America that have automobiles, sunshine, and variable summer winds to contemplate what is reasonably left to do to reduce these ozone concentrations.
