New EPA regulations mean a closer eye on the nation’s petrochemical hub

Houston’s fenceline communities welcome stricter federal rules on chemical plant emissions but worry about state compliance.

HOUSTON – Terri Blackwood, a Baytown resident living along the Houston Ship Channel, knows the smells of pollution well.


Blackwood’s backyard is along the water shore where several oil and gas facilities and chemical plants cluster. She keeps a journal of more than 100 instances in which she smelled something “off,” felt ill, saw flares or noticed her house shaking. Depending on the severity and duration, she has filed reports to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) or called Exxon, the largest petrochemical complex in the area.

To read a version of this story in Spanish click here. Haz clic aquí para leer este reportaje en español.

“I’m not anti-industry,” Blackwood told EHN. “I know they’re not moving. I’m not either. I’m just for the safety of the neighborhood.”

Soon Blackwood and her neighbors may get some relief: three facilities in ExxonMobil’s Baytown complex near her home are subject to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s updated regulations released last week that aim to reduce cancer risk and air pollution at 200 chemical facilities. The agency is targeting six cancer-causing compounds including ethylene, chloroprene, benzene, 1,3- butadiene, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride. Nearly 40% of these facilities are in Texas and 14% are in Harris County — where Houston is located — alone.

“I’m not anti-industry. I know they’re not moving. I’m not either." - Terri Blackwood, a Baytown resident

These new regulations could mean relief for communities located along the fenceline, especially communities of color that are often disproportionately located near these facilities and often lacking adequate monitoring. While Harris County has nearly 20% of all of TCEQs air monitors, they are often spread out and far from facilities’ fencelines. Last year, the EPA granted the city of Houston $500,000 to increase air monitoring of benzene, 1-3 butadiene and ethylene via the Inflation Reduction Act. The new rule requires fenceline monitoring of the six targeted chemicals.

The rule will also more tightly regulate flaring and remove existing air pollution emissions exemptions from startups, shutdowns and malfunctions at plants. The EPA estimates the new rules will reduce the number of people with elevated cancer risk due to air pollution by 96%.

ExxonMobil did not respond to Environmental Health News’ request to comment about the new rules.

Communities’ cautious optimism

Communities in Harris County like Galena Park, the Houston’s East End, Pasadena, Baytown and Channelview — all of which include large communities of color with air toxic risks related to cancer that are higher than 90% of the population — will likely have the most room for improvement.

“It’s good that they’re making progress,” Juan Flores, Galena Park resident and community air monitoring director for the Houston-based nonprofit Air Alliance, told EHN. “I would like to see more progress to limit this even further, especially as a person who is dealing with health effects because of this stuff.”

Blackwood said keeping track of this new data will be “another thing” she will have to keep an eye on. In the last few months, Air Alliance monitored her house with different types of air monitors and she hopes the federal fenceline data will reflect what she “already knows.” The TCEQ only considers air quality data from a previously established network of federal and commercial air monitors.

While the federal changes are welcome, community concerns persist. The state of Texas and the TCEQ have historically challenged the EPA’s authority. In March, Texas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged the EPA’s new national air quality standards in a lawsuit. Blackwood and Flores fear that Texas will prevent the new rule’s efficacy.

“I didn't realize I needed to pay more attention,” said Blackwood. “I definitely, naively, presumed EPA was a final authority for ensuring public safety."

Victoria Cann, media relations specialist for the TCEQ, told EHN the agency “will conduct investigations to evaluate compliance with applicable requirements as part of the compliance and enforcement program.”

Cann also said that the new requirements will be considered in the permitting process for facilities that are subject to the new standards.

Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, or TEJAS, has advocated for decades for stronger chemical regulations like this one.

“We remember family, friends, and neighbors who we lost as a result of health-related issues because of highly hazardous air pollutants, including carcinogens like ethylene oxide and 1,3-butadiene,” TEJAS representative Deyadira Arellano told EHN. “We owe it to our loved ones to act on environmental justice and call for enhanced inspections and enforcement at facilities that repeatedly violate emissions rules.”

Depending on the type of chemical, facilities have between 90 days and two years to reach full EPA compliance. The full rule can be found here.

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

HOUSTON — Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have previously violated the pollution limits in their permits have recently applied for new federal operating permits or renewals.

These facilities include the Chevron Pasadena Refining facility, the LyondellBasell Houston refinery, and the Chevron Phillips Chemical Sweeny Complex in Brazoria County, all of which are seeking renewed Title V permits.

Keep reading...Show less
silhouette of wind turbines during sunset.

17 states sue Trump administration over blocked wind energy development

Seventeen Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., are suing the Trump administration for halting wind energy projects on public lands and waters, citing harm to energy diversification efforts.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
Industrial buildings and smokestacks on the coast with mountains and sunset in the background.

EPA plans to dismantle key offices overseeing climate and air pollution regulation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will dissolve two main offices responsible for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, signaling a broad retreat from federal climate oversight.

Jean Chemnick reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
The dome of the U.S. senate building.

House Republicans push sweeping fossil fuel expansion in budget bill

Lawmakers are preparing to fast-track legislation that would expand mining and fossil fuel leasing while rolling back environmental reviews and clean energy incentives.

Garrett Downs reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
A graphic image of a brain with arms and legs walking out of a city pulling a suitcase.

Europe steps up funding to attract U.S. scientists facing cuts under Trump

As the Trump administration reduces research funding and tightens restrictions on universities, European leaders are offering financial incentives to lure American scientists.

Catherine Porter and Roger Cohen report for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
white university building near trees with fall foliage during daytime.

Scientists worldwide pledge to support U.S. colleagues facing political attacks on climate research

More than 18,000 researchers gathered in Austria to discuss climate science and vow solidarity amid increasing political pressure and funding cuts in the U.S.

Bob Berwyn reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Australian suburban houses with solar panels on roofs

Analysis: Australia’s voters give Labor a mandate to speed up the renewable energy transition

Australia’s landslide election result signals public support for faster renewable energy growth and leaves the Labor government poised to make bigger climate policy moves.

Adam Morton writes for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

People  sitting in an outdoors table working on a big sign.

Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racist

We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.