Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | March 2024

State

BY MELISSA ENAJE

10 Texas counties exceeding EPA’s new air quality standard

A new national air quality standard announced Feb. 7 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aims to lower the amount of ne particulate pollution emitted by power plants, vehicles and industrial facilities. Federal ocials said the eorts are meant to better protect communities across the U.S. from the dangerous and costly health eects of air pollution. “This nal air quality standard will save lives and make all people healthier, especially within Ameri- ca’s most vulnerable and overburdened communi- ties,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. The takeaway Ten Texas counties do not meet revised annual levels based on 2020-22 air quality monitoring data from the EPA, including in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. They are: Bowie County, Cameron County, Dallas County, El Paso County, Harris County, Hidalgo County, Kleberg County, Tarrant County, Travis County and Webb County.

San Antonio’s Bexar County is one of the 12 Texas counties that meets the new annual air pollution levels, according to the 2020-22 data. Several counties are projected to meet the more protective standard in 2032, which is likely the earliest year states would need to meet the revised standard, according to the EPA. However, the EPA predicts Harris, Travis and Hidalgo counties will not be able to meet the new standards by 2032. The gist The national annual air quality standard for ne particulate matter exposure was lowered from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. Fine particulate matter is a mixture of various particles—such as dust, dirt, soot and smoke— emitted by industrial facilities, vehicles, con- struction sites, res or unpaved roads, according to ocials with the environmental nonprot Air Alliance Houston.

Exxon Mobil is seeking permit renewal for its Olens Plant, which some residents said has caused health issues.

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