The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $646,292 against 72 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: one agricultural, 20 air quality, three dry cleaner, two industrial waste discharge, two multi-media, two municipal solid waste, eight municipal waste discharge, eight petroleum storage tank, ten public water system, one wastewater certification, and four water quality. There were three field citations. In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: one dry cleaner, one licensed irrigator, two multi-media, two petroleum storage tank, and one public water system. Penalties were also assessed in a petroleum storage tank action following hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Included in the total were fines against The City of Pottsboro in Grayson County of $120,897 for five water quality violations, documented in routine investigations in March and October 2007. The entire amount of the fine will be applied to a Supplemental Environmental Project used to conduct erosion control and creek cleanup projects in two creeks that discharge into Lake Texoma in Grayson County.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for August 6. 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.