ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
Clean Air: Metro Area Comparison
Houston's air quality is currently in compliance for five of the six National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) pollutants and its air quality compares favorably with other regions that fail to meet two or more of the NAAQS criteria.
- Under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six major air pollutants: particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and ground-level ozone. The Houston CMSA exceeds only the ozone standard.
- Houston's deadline for meeting the eight-hour ozone standard is 2019.
Houston's Commitment to Air Quality
Over the past 20 years, the Houston region has seen a steady reduction in the number of days that ozone has exceeded the EPA's air quality standard.
- With more than 50 air monitors, Houston has the most extensive monitoring network in the United States. The Houston Regional Monitoring Network is an important part of Houston's air monitoring system. HRM is committed to the scientific understanding of air quality in the Houston area.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are precursors of ozone. Between 1995 and 2005, the eight-hour ozone design value for the region fell 9 parts per billion, or 8%, even though population grew 32% and vehicle miles traveled rose approximately 37%.
The Houston region has achieved an 80% reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds over the past 20 years. Houston's progress toward cleaner air can be seen in the chart below.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the state of Texas. TCEQ strives to protect the state's human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. The commission's goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.
The Office of Permitting and Registration oversees all aspects of environmental permitting and registration. They are responsible for implementing the applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing all aspects of permitting for the air, water, and waste programs.
The Air Permits Division processes air permits and authorizations for facilities that, when operational, would emit contaminants into the atmosphere. The division does this through two major air permitting programs, New Source Review (NSR) Permits and Title V Federal Operating Permits.
The Waste Permits Division performs activities associated with the permitting and registering of facilities involved in the storing, processing, or disposing of one or more of the following: hazardous waste, nonhazardous industrial waste, municipal solid waste, special waste, and activities associated with the permitting, registration and authorization of Class I, III, and V wells in the underground injection control program.
The Water Quality Division is responsible for protecting the quality of water in Texas. This division issues wastewater authorizations under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; issues authorizations for reuse of treated wastewater effluent; and reviews wastewater system plans and specifications to ensure they meet design requirements.
The Water Supply Division is responsible for programs that ensure the efficient administration of surface water use; the production, treatment, delivery and protection of safe and adequate drinking water; and the provision of dependable, viable utility service at fair levels of compensation.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's website has a great deal of information to assist you in determining what permits, licenses, registrations or other authorizations your business may need from the TCEQ. Web address: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/
