EPA approves GHG permitting program in Texas

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday approved the State of Texas program to issue greenhouse gas (GHG) permits for new and modified facilities. 

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has worked closely with EPA and submitted a state implementation plan for GHG permits to replace the existing federal program. 

On Friday, EPA announced both its approval of the state implementation plan (SIP) and the rescinding of the federal implementation plan (FIP), making the TCEQ the primary GHG permitting authority in Texas.

“I am proud of our team and our shared success," said EPA regional administrator Ron Curry. "Together, we have issued over 55 GHG permits for Texas businesses, creating well over 20,000 jobs and bringing over $24 billion in projects to the Texas economy."

“We have always believed that states are best equipped to run the GHG permitting program and have been tireless in our effort to work with them to do so," he added.

The TCEQ worked closely with EPA to write federal GHG permits over the past months through a work-share agreement. This action eliminates the need for businesses to seek air permits from two separate regulatory agencies in Texas and moves the permitting program to the TCEQ. 

Going forward, EPA and TCEQ say they will continue to work closely with pending permit applicants during the transition period and ensure no unnecessary project delays result from the action. 

The authority for Texas to issue air permits for new or modified GHG pollution sources will become effective upon publication of the final SIP approval and the FIP withdrawal in the Federal Register. Publication in the Federal Register typically takes seven to 10 days following signature.

Since January 2, 2011, projects in Texas that increase GHG emissions substantially required an air permit from the EPA. In Texas alone, EPA received 83 GHG permit applications from businesses since 2011.

Texas is No. 1 in the US for receiving EPA-issued GHG permits -- with over 50 permits being issued by EPA. Of the 189 GHG permits issued nationwide, EPA has completed 61 and the states have issued 128 permits.