The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) today approved penalties totaling $672,785 against 67 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: Four agricultural, 17 air quality, one dry cleaner, three Edwards Aquifer, three field citations, two industrial or hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, four licensed irrigator, three multi-media, four municipal solid waste, nine municipal waste discharge, five petroleum storage tank, four public water system, and one water rights. In addition, there were default orders issued for the following categories: four dry cleaner, one licensed irrigator, and one municipal solid waste.

Included in the total fine figure is a penalty of $118,500 against Gulf Chemical and Metallurgical Corporation, Brazoria County. The fines are the result of 12 various air violations stemming from investigations in June and September, 2004. Of the total, $59,250 will be used to replace older diesel buses with alternative fueled or clean fuel diesel buses in Brazoria County.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for October 10. 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.