The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) today approved penalties totaling $563,554 against 69 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: five agricultural, 15 air quality, four dry cleaner, three field citations, one industrial waste discharge, three licensed irrigator, two multi-media, one municipal solid waste, 16 municipal waste discharge, four petroleum storage tank, seven public water system, and two water quality. In addition, there were default orders issued for the following categories: four dry cleaner, one public water system, and one water operator.

Included in the total fine figure is a penalty of $128,043 against Cerrito Gas Processing, L.L.C. in Webb County. The fines are assessed because the company failed to prevent unauthorized air emissions in the spring of 2006. The plant has been shut down since September of 2006.

The commission also passed rules implementing Senate Bill 12. The legislation expands the AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine program. Program administrators in the 16 affected counties will accept applications for vouchers of up to $3,500 toward replacement of old, polluting vehicles beginning Dec. 12.

Today's meeting marks the first for newly-appointed Commissioner Bryan W. Shaw. Prior to his appointment, Shaw was an associate professor in Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M. He fills the vacancy left on the commission by Kathleen Hartnett White. His term expires on August 21, 2013.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work sessions can be viewed at the TCEQ Web site. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available, at www.texasadmin.com/cgi-bin/tnrcc.cgi.