The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) today approved penalties totaling $804,728 against 93 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: Seven agricultural, nine air quality, three dry cleaner, two Edwards Aquifer, 25 field citations, three industrial or hazardous waste, two industrial waste discharge, one licensed irrigator, five multi-media, one municipal solid waste, 13 municipal waste discharge, nine petroleum storage tank, five public water system, and one water quality. In addition, there were default orders issued for the following categories: one dry cleaner, one on-site sewage installer, one on-site sewage system, two petroleum storage tank, and one water quality. Penalties were also assessed against a regulated entity following a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings for one public water system violation.

Included in the total fine figure are two separate penalties, totaling $266,171, against Conoco Phillips, Hutchinson County. The fines are the result of several air, and industrial and hazardous waste violations investigated on April 18, 2005 and October 17, November 22, 2005, and January 23, 2006. Of the total, $75,863 will be used toward the Borger ISD LEEDS Green School Building Project, and $57,225 will be contributed to Borger ISD asbestos abatement.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for December 5. 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 Texas Admin.Com.