EPA Accused of Ignoring Lax Enforcement
In the suit, they allege that the EPA is allowing the institution of lax and vague
environmental rules in Texas and ignoring weak enforcement of the already weak
rules.
Most of the refineries are centralized in Dallas and Houston. The EPA’s budget is in
jeopardy under the current administration and Texas state environmental officials
question if the air quality is dangerous to health and whether the cost to improve it is
justified. The toxicology director for TCEQ said in 2014 he had not “seen the data that
says lowering ozone will produce a health benefit. In fact, I’ve seen data that shows it
might have a negative health benefit.”
Environmental organizations are citing high incidences of asthma and heart attacks in
cities like Houston and asserting that these health risks are related to the air pollution.
The EPA has not commented on the lawsuit.