The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) today approved penalties totaling $916,069 against 72 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: 22 air quality, three dry cleaner, three field citations, two industrial or hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, one licensed irrigator, four municipal solid waste, six municipal waste discharge, nine petroleum storage tank, four public water system, one sludge, two wastewater operator certification, and five water quality. In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: two dry cleaner, two petroleum storage tank, one public water system, and one water quality. Penalties were also assessed in three enforcement categories following hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings for one petroleum storage tank, one municipal solid waste, and one dry cleaner.

Included in the total were fines against Motiva Enterprises, LLC in Jefferson County of $294,756 for nine air violations, documented in a routine inspection conducted June 5, 2006. Of that fine total, a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) of $147,378 will be used to maintain and repair the existing Southeast Texas Regional Air Monitoring Networks seven monitoring stations. Also included in the fine total were penalties against Equistar Chemicals, LP in Harris County of $182,978. The fines were the result of 24 air violations, documented in a routine inspection conducted December 13, 2006 and January 29, 2007. Of that fine total, a $91,489 SEP amount will be contributed to the Houston-Galveston AERCOs Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles Program, in Harris County.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for June 18. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ Web site. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available, at TexasAdMin.com.