The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has responded to a petition to improve water pollution control in the State of Texas. In September of 2021, a group of 22 organizations represented by Perales, Allmon & Ice, Earthjustice, and Environmental Integrity Project petitioned the EPA to require correction of problems in Texas’ water quality permitting program, or take over the program if Texas does not fix the problems itself.
EPA is in the process of informally investigating the allegations in the petition. In its recent update letter, EPA said “[i]f proven to be true, the allegations outlined in the petition are concerning.”
This development is featured in a recent Texas Tribune article by Alejandra Martinez and with photography by Michael Stravato: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/01/tceq-investigation-epa-water-quality/. Eric Allmon, a Partner of Perales, Allmon & Ice, is quoted in the article.
Learn more about the petition in our previous News Update: https://txenvirolaw.com/environmental-advocates-petition-epa-to-assume-water-pollution-control-in-texas/.