SIP Revision - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, December 13, 2002
Revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) area adopted on December 13, 2002.
On December 13, 2002, the TCEQ adopted SIP revisions to address issues specific to the HGB one-hour ozone nonattainment area, as well as some cleanup to 30 TAC Chapter 115 and Chapter 117 rules for additional counties and nonattainment areas. This page provides information on this revision to the SIP.
About the Revision
Adoption Date: 12/13/2002, 09/25/2002 (speed limit / VMEP portion)
Proposal Date: 06/05/2002
EPA Approval Date: 09/06/2006 (71 FR 52656) 
Key Changes:
- Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds—These revisions include new rules that address the impact of highly-reactive volatile organic compounds from industrial sources on rapid ozone formation in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area. Specifically, new rules address the following sources: cooling towers, flare, fugitives, and process vents.
- Texas Emission Reduction Program (TERP)—This revision formally incorporates the protocol for the TERP into the HGB attainment demonstration via the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Economic Incentive Program.
- Energy Efficiency—This revision incorporates the quantification methodology which the state will use to take credit for NO reductions from energy efficiency measures in future SIP revisions.
- Point Source NO Rules—This revision includes changes to the industrial, commercial, and institutional source control requirements which are already included within the federally approved SIP for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria ozone nonattainment area. If adopted, these amendments would change the maximum amount of nitrogen oxides (NO) emission reductions required from certain point sources. The amendments also reorganize and modify existing portions of the Chapter 117 rules and add ammonia emission specifications for electric-generating facilities located in 31 attainment counties of east and central Texas.
- Speed Limit Reduction—On September 25, 2002, the commission adopted a change to the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria speed limit reduction strategy. This revision suspends the 55 mph speed limit until May 1, 2005. Where speeds were 65 mph or higher before May 1, 2002, the revision sets speed limits to 5 mph below the previously posted limits. The Sept 25 adoption also clarifies the state’s commitment to remedy any shortfall in the VMEP portion of the SIP, if such a shortfall exists.
Additional revisions to Ch. 115 and Ch. 117 rules that also affect areas outside of the HGB area include:
- Ch. 117—Amendments which reorganize and modify existing portions of the Chapter 117 rules which apply to sources of NO in the Beaumont–Port Arthur and Dallas–Fort Worth ozone nonattainment areas, as well as to electric-generating facilities located in Palo Pinto County and 31 attainment counties of east and central Texas, in order to improve implementation of the existing Chapter 117. In addition, the amendments add ammonia emission specifications for electric generating facilities located in 31 attainment counties of east and central Texas.
- Ch. 115—Amendments that reorganize and modify existing portions of the Chapter 115 rules which apply in the Beaumont–Port Arthur, Dallas–Fort Worth, and El Paso ozone nonattainment areas, as well as in 95 attainment counties located in east and central Texas, in order to improve implementation of the existing Chapter 115 rules.
SIP Narrative and Appendices
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SIP Narrative and Misc. Documentation
| Title | Log No. | WP | |
| HGB Post-1999 ROP and Attainment Demonstration Follow-Up SIP (Adopted) | 2002-046-SIP-AI |  |
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| HGB Post-1999 ROP and Attainment Demonstration Follow-Up SIP (Proposed) | 2002-046-SIP-AI | |
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| HGB Post-1999 ROP and Attainment Demonstration Follow-Up SIP—Speed Limit and VMEP (Adopted) | 2002-046a-SIP-AI | |
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| QAP Outline | N/A | |
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| Evaluation of Testimony | 2002-046-SIP-AI | |
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| Evaluation of Testimony (Speed Limit and VMEP) | 2002-046a-SIP-AI | |
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| Ch. 115 Leak Detection and Repair Program Fact Sheet | N/A | |
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| Ch. 115 Vent Gas Flares / Cooling Towers Fact Sheet | N/A | |
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| Ch. 117 NO Rules Fact Sheet | N/A | |
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Technical Support Document
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N/A | |
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| Appendices to Technical Support Document | |||
Appendices
| App. | Title | WP | |
| Adopted Appendices | |||
| A | Description of the Methodology for Determining Credit for Energy Efficiency | |
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| P | Sampling Procedures | |
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| Proposed Appendices | |||
| A | Description of the Methodology for Determining Credit for Energy Efficiency | |
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