State regulators impose fines on only 3% of air polluters.
Not everything is bigger in Texas. In fact, the number of air polluters receiving fines from Texas regulators is quite small, according to an article from the Austin American-Statesman. Citing a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project and Environment Texas, the Statesman notes that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality declined to assess financial penalties for 97% of more than 24,000 air pollution violations that companies admitted to between 2011 and 2016.
According to the article, the lack of sanctions in many cases is due to a Texas rule that gives “leeway to companies that self-report pollution incidents attributable to maintenance or accidents” and provides what environmentalists call a loophole for offenders. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reportedly says it thoroughly investigates all pollution reports.
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