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EPA Approves Beaumont/Port Arthur Area Clean Air Plan

Release Date: 4/30/2001
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the clean air plan for the Beaumont/Port Arthur area preventing elevation to the higher "serious" air pollution classification. The plan, formally known as the ozone attainment demonstration for the State Implementation Plan or SIP, details how the Beaumont/Port Arthur area will ensure it meets the national health-based air quality standard for ozone by 2007.

The Beaumont/Port Arthur clean air plan is the first in Texas where the state demonstrated that pollution from the Houston/Galveston area causes problems for other areas as they try to reach clean air goals. Beaumont/Pt. Arthur's success in achieving clean air will depend on a combination of local pollution control measures and Houston's plans for clean air. The state provided evidence showing the Beaumont/Port Arthur area cannot achieve the national health-based air quality standard until the Houston/Galveston area meets the same goal. It will take both local control measures by Beaumont/Port Arthur citizens and businesses, as well as pollution controls in Houston/Galveston.

As part of today's announcement, EPA has given the Beaumont/Port Arthur area additional time, until November 15, 2007, to met the air quality standard for ozone. This is the same clean air attainment date as the Houston/Galveston area. The Beaumont/Port Arthur area will retain its classification as "moderate" non-attainment.

"The Beaumont/Port Arthur area has been improving its air quality over the past several years, but more needs to be done locally. Concurrently, Beaumont/Port Arthur's success is dependent on Houston's taking all available measures to clean its air. I am very encouraged by the Texas Senate's recent approval of legislation that will enhance both Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston's ability to improve their air quality at a reasonable cost," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

Beaumont/Port Arthur's plan includes a range of actions to reduce air pollution focusing on local controls and a mid-course review by May 1, 2004, to assess how controls are working and to make revisions if needed.