The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) operates a mobile monitoring team tasked with monitoring air quality in Texas, particularly in areas with large industrial complexes. However, an analysis of agency records and interviews with former employees reveals that the team has undergone significant changes over the years.
Former team leader Tim Doty, who worked at TCEQ for 28 years, expressed concerns about the decline in the team’s effectiveness. He mentioned that the team used to conduct comprehensive monitoring of industrial facilities, issue detailed reports, and take enforcement actions when necessary. However, in recent years, the team has shifted its focus to monitoring ambient air after disasters like hurricanes and industrial explosions.
The changes in the team’s operations date back to 2010, during the early fracking boom, when a scandal over unreported air pollution led to the temporary shutdown of the mobile monitoring program. Subsequent reorganizations and resource reallocations have led to a decrease in monitoring activities and the production of comprehensive reports.
While the TCEQ claims that the mobile monitoring team has not been dismantled and that monitoring operations have increased, former employees dispute these claims. They point out that regional office investigations are not as intensive as the projects conducted by the mobile monitoring team and that the quality of the work is not adequately assessed.
Additionally, the mobile monitoring team has faced criticism for not publicizing its findings from proactive monitoring efforts. For example, in a survey conducted in Channelview, benzene levels above the agency’s screening levels were detected near residential neighborhoods, but the community was not informed of the findings.
The article also highlights the impact of the oil and gas industry on environmental regulation in Texas. The fracking revolution has increased pressure on the TCEQ to align with industry interests, leading to concerns about the agency’s effectiveness in enforcing environmental laws.
Overall, the article raises important questions about the state of air pollution monitoring in Texas and the challenges faced by regulatory agencies in balancing industry interests with environmental protection. It calls for greater transparency, accountability, and improvements in monitoring practices to ensure the safety of the environment and public health.