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November 5, 2008

TCEQ fines BASF $200,603

By David Ball

PORT ARTHUR — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved penalties totaling $895,60 against 70 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Included in the total, were fines against BASF FINA Petrochemicals Limited Partnership, Jefferson County, in the amount of $200,603. The fines were the result of nine air violations from documented routine inspections conducted in 2007-2008. Of that fine total, a $100,301 Supplemental Environmental Project amount will be contributed to the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission to conduct energy audits and weatherize homes of low-income residents in the West Port Arthur area.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: three agricultural, 22 air quality, two dry cleaner, six multi-media, three municipal solid waste, four municipal waste discharge, nine petroleum storage tank, eight public water system, two wastewater operator and one water quality.

Also, there were three field citations. In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: two drycleaner, one multi-media, and three petroleum storage tanks. Penalties were also assessed in one municipal waste discharge action following hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Included also in the total were fines against Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas, of Calhoun County in the amount of $121,443 for numerous air violations documented in inspections conducted between 2005-2006, and unauthorized emissions during the same period. Of the fine total, $60,721 will be used for a Supplemental Environmental Project to fund wastewater treatment-plant repair in Point Comfort, Texas.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ Web site, www.tceq.state.tx.us. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available at TexasAdMin.com, www.texasadmin.com.

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