News Release
TCEQ approves fines totaling $849,429
Fines of $145,211 against Diamond Shamrock Refining, L.P. in Moore Co. and $103,800 against Micro Dirt, Inc. in Travis Co. included

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $849,429 against 44 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: 12 air quality, one Edwards Aquifer, two industrial waste discharge, one multimedia, one municipal solid waste, four municipal waste discharge, six petroleum storage tank, five public water system, and two water quality.

In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: one licensed irrigator, one municipal waste discharge, one petroleum storage tank, four public water system, and one sludge.

Penalties were assessed in the following categories following hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings: one municipal solid waste and one petroleum storage tank.

Included in the total are fines of $145,211 against Diamond Shamrock Refining Company, L.P., in Moore County, for air quality violations stemming from an investigation on February 7, 2011. Of that total, $58,084 will be used by Texas PTA to retrofit or replace older, diesel school buses.

Also included in the total are fines of $103,800 against Micro Dirt, Inc. d.b.a. Texas Organic Recovery, in Travis County, for violations stemming from unauthorized composting of grease trap waste in July and August, 2008. Fines were assessed following a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ website. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available online.

Source: TCEQ