Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

Unauthorized Emissions in Houston’s East End Raise Concerns

HOUSTON — It was just after noon on August 26, 2024, when Shiv Srivastava recorded the skyline of Houston’s East End while an industrial flare from TPC Group roared in the distance after power loss.

Introduction

Srivastava is the policy director at Fenceline Watch, an environmental nonprofit based in Houston’s East End. As the cloud of black smoke expanded over the downtown skyline, he worked with Yvette Arellano, Fenceline Watch’s executive director, to research air quality updates to share with community members on social media. It was not the first time they responded to air pollution problems like this one.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
3. Goal 13: Climate Action
4. Goal 15: Life on Land

Unauthorized Emissions in Harris County

Unauthorized emissions — any air pollution released from industrial plants beyond permitted levels — occur once every 2.5 days on average in Harris County, which encompasses Houston, according to 2024 data from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. EHN analyzed 116 emissions event reports from a Commission database published from the beginning of this year to September 17, 2024. Once an emissions event starts, the facility is required to submit a report to the database if the expected emissions are above a reportable quantity that varies by pollutant. Final reports are required within two weeks of the completion of an event, which can either last minutes with emissions below reportable levels, or days, releasing thousands of pounds of often toxic chemicals. Compounds released in these events can range from climate-warming methane to volatile organic compounds that increase cancer risks, like benzene or 1-3 butadiene.

Concentration of Emissions in Houston Ship Channel

Most of these emissions concentrate around the Houston Ship Channel. At 52 miles long, the channel intersects with many communities and 16 of those miles span across Harris County. The channel is home to roughly 600 petrochemical facilities, many of which are emitting hazardous air pollutants from their authorized permits. In addition to these millions of pounds of harmful authorized emissions, the unauthorized emissions events increase communities’ pollution burden.

Repeat Air Pollution Offenders

Many companies had multiple events in the past nine months, according to EHN’s analysis, with 97 incidents attributed to companies that had at least two events either at one or more locations. LyondellBasell, a chemical company, had the most with 20, including events from their smaller company Equistar. With 11 incidents, Chevron Phillips Chemical Cedar Bayou plant had the most emissions events in a single location.

Environmental Violations and Consequences

Some of the companies have environmental violations documented by the state’s TCEQ or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou plant has 545 TCEQ violations since 2011. In addition, in the past three years, the same facility had eight quarters of noncompliance with the Clean Water Act and 12 quarters of significant violations of the Clean Air Act. In addition, in 2022, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou plant — in addition to two other Chevron Phillips sites – was found by the Department of Justice and the EPA to have “failed to properly operate and monitor three chemical plant’s industrial flares” causing “excess emissions of pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), various hazardous air pollutants, including benzene and climate-change-causing greenhouse gasses” according to the EPA. The company paid $3.4 million in civil penalties and an additional $118 million in compliance actions.

Flaring Excess Compounds

Flaring is just one type of a potential emissions event, but in 57 of the 116 events analyzed, flares were listed at least once. Some flaring emissions are covered under permits, while others are not. According to Peter DeCarlo, an associate professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University who studies atmospheric air pollution, flares are one of the most common sources of unauthorized emissions.

Health and Environmental Impacts of Flaring

Flaring is often used to remove excess chemicals or to prevent larger issues like fires or explosions and is often considered preferable to releasing emissions directly into the atmosphere. But DeCarlo said flare emissions vary depending on what is burned. Typically the oil and gas industry will burn natural gas, resulting in the emissions of methane and carbon monoxide.

Cumulative Pollution Impacts

Residents near Harris County’s heavy industry that are more likely to be exposed to emissions events, like Srivastava, worry about cumulative exposure, gaps in information and that companies with multiple emissions events don’t face consequences.

The TCEQ investigates all emissions events reports that are filed with the agency to determine if there are inaccuracies in the reporting, if the incident could have been prevented, or if the incidents seem to be part of a recurring issue. If incidents are part of a recurring issue, they are investigated in relation to the specific facility, not the site as a whole. As of September 5, TCEQ media representative Victoria Cann said that 40 investigations had been completed this year, and 79 were still open. Additionally, in this process the TCEQ determines if the emissions should result in violations or corrective action.

While information about these emissions events are publicly available, DeCarlo warns that this information may not suffice.

Individuals wanting information about these events in real time in Harris County –an area with a high density of industrial presence – can visit the Community Awareness Emergency Response, portal, which is operated by the East Harris County Manufacturers Association. If you’d like to examine emissions events in other Texas communities, you can access the state database here. Federal data can be found here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses air pollution, emissions events, and their impacts on human health and the environment. These issues are connected to the SDGs mentioned above, which aim to ensure good health, access to clean water, sustainable cities, climate action, and the protection of life on land and below water.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

The article highlights the need to reduce deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution, improve water quality, address the adverse environmental impact of cities, integrate climate change measures, prevent marine pollution, and ensure the sustainable use of ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air pollution
• Water quality indicators, such as pollutant levels
• Air quality indicators, such as levels of volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants
• Reduction in emissions events and unauthorized emissions
• Reduction in marine pollution, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
• Conservation and restoration of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

The article mentions the need to measure and address these indicators to track progress towards the identified targets.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ehn.org