Letter to Hon. Michael S. Regan, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Rep. Veasey (TX-33) Sends Letter Urging EPA's Assistance in Ensuring High Standards of Air Quality in Mansfield and Southeast Tarrant County Share

Letter

Dear Administrator Regan:

I write to urge your attention to a matter in Mansfield, TX where a community's serious public health and environmental justice concerns about emissions from a potential concrete batch plant are being dismissed. I ask that the EPA work with stakeholders in the community to review the potential health impacts of the proposed Bosque Solutions Concrete Batch plant.

Despite the fact that the TCEQ has repeatedly heard from the residents and local elected officials who are strongly opposed to allowing the concrete batch plant to be built so close to the community, the Executive Director at TCEQ has continued to express support for the project. These community members have utilized every resource at their disposal to make their concerns known and I want to ensure their voices are heard. Furthermore, the TCEQ's own Office of the Public Interest Counsel as well as a State Administrative Law Judge have both recommended against a permit being issued for this project.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has long struggled with maintaining compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for a number of criteria pollutants. The expertise of the EPA will be valuable in providing guidance on whether an air quality permit should be issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

I will applaud your dedication to achieving Environmental Justice. Mansfield's fight against pollution mirrors environmental justice fights across the country for clean air and water and I will continue to work with them on these efforts. I look forward to working with you here as well.

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