Proposed changes to air quality permits announced

The TCEQ is publishing a proposed revision to permitting in the Texas Register amending the current non-rule standard permit for the construction and/or modification of oil and gas production facilities. This non-rule standard permit became effective on April 1, 2011 and applies only in the following counties making up the Barnett Shale region of the state: Archer, Bosque, Clay, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Tarrant, and Wise.

The commission is proposing a correction to the standard permit that would amend subsection (m), table 8 to remove unnecessary, repetitive language under the heading Control Devices, Control with process combustion or heating devices (for example, reboilers, heaters and furnaces), and make other administrative, non-substantive corrections to numbering and references.  

A public meeting on the proposed standard permit will be held on Oct. 3, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Building E, Room 201S, 12100 Park 35 Circle, 78753 in Austin. Call the TCEQ’s Air Permits Division at 512-239-1250 for copies of the proposed standard permit for oil and gas production facilities or go to the TCEQ website.

Comments may be mailed to Blake Stewart, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Air Permits Division, MC 163, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or faxed to 512-239-1070. All comments should reference the standard permit for oil and gas production facilities. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2011.  For further information, contact Mr. Stewart at 512-239-6931.  Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 800-687-4040.