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1 Document(s) [ Subject: Water%20quality%20protection%20zones ]

Committee: Senate Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report - Air Quality
Subjects: Air pollution | Air pollution control technology | Air quality | Arsenic | Barton Springs | Edwards Aquifer | Electric power plants | Mercury | Surface water pollution | Texas Emissions Reduction Plan | Water conservation | Water planning | Water quality management | Water quality protection zones |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 N219i
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [165 pages  File size: 1,439 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review Texas' current air emissions inventory and evaluate the need for additional data to enhance or improve the inventory. Review current federal, state and local incentive programs related to emissions reductions and recommend improvements.
2. Study and assess the use of advanced control technologies for the reduction of point source pollution emissions, including, but not limited to:
  • Identifying state-of-the-art pollution control technologies;
  • Identifying facilities which could benefit from state-of-the-art control technologies;
  • Identifying mechanisms for implementing state-of-the-art controls in Texas;
  • Reviewing the ability of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to regulate the use of pollution control technologies, including possible legislative options to grant, improve, or mandate TCEQ actions to implement state-of-the-art control technologies; and
  • Investigating the use of different approaches or methods in regulating emissions based on geographical/regional locations around the state.
3. Assess the environmental impact of new electric generation sources and technologies. Collect and evaluate data related to use and conservation of water used in the production of energy. Examine the need to include electric generation facility water needs in regional water plans.
4. Study and assess issues concerning mercury and arsenic emissions, including, but not limited to:
  • identifying the sources of mercury and arsenic pollution in air and water;
  • investigating the status of drinking water, reservoir, river, estuary, and fish and wildlife mercury and arsenic monitoring programs in Texas;
  • investigating the implementation by TCEQ of the Federal Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) on power plants in Texas;
  • studying the potential costs and benefits of including all coal/lignite burning sources in Texas, not just power plants, into the State's CAMR program; and
  • determining the legislative and regulatory mechanisms and advisability of including all coal/lignite burning sources into the State's CAMR program.
5. Study the need for regional water quality standards, particularly in the Edwards and Barton Springs recharge zones.

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