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Hello #diasterjustice friends,
I'm about to tweet my experience with the public hearing for ITC hosted by @TCEQ. You'll recall ITC from the #ITCDisaster which was one of a handful of chemical disasters in the Houston area back in 2019 caused by out reliance on oil and gas.
I'm about to tweet my experience with the public hearing for ITC hosted by @TCEQ. You'll recall ITC from the #ITCDisaster which was one of a handful of chemical disasters in the Houston area back in 2019 caused by out reliance on oil and gas.
It's on goto webinar and requires folks to register before attending. Maybe we can overlook it in the name of keeping a solid record of those speaking. I had to add an app to my computer (a deterrent). Those calling in were asked to call a special number 24 hours in advance.
So far I am pleasantly surprised? This @TCEQ is walking folks through contingency ways for people to join (calling and texting a staffer to get help with GoToWebinar, a backup conference line, how to access in Spanish explained in ENG/SPN, media relations info for press).
Lots of language access credit goes not to the agency itself, but to the work of orgs like @tejasbarrios and the communities they represent.
Example: https://earthjustice.org/brief/2020/civil-rights-victory-in-texas-is-a-model-for-environmental-progress-nationwide?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=feed
Example: https://earthjustice.org/brief/2020/civil-rights-victory-in-texas-is-a-model-for-environmental-progress-nationwide?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=feed
First up, introductions. ITC isn't intro'ing itself. DiSorbo Consulting, a Houston based firm is. They are stating that projects they are seeking approval for have already been partially approved by @TCEQ.
The emphasize that this permit amendment is for discrete projects, already approved by @TCEQ's executive director. They also point out the this proposal is just for Pasadena (which already has hella #environmentaljustice concerns).
There is an unspecified issue with the Spanish interpretation line.
Two ITC staffers have no spoken, emphasizing the points above (pre-approval, pointing out that this hearing is not the last place for feedback - comment deadline runs until later in the month, repeating the word 'informal' somewhat misleadingly imo).
A @TCEQ staffer has spoken from the office of public interest counsel. He's here to answer questions about the public hearing process.
A @LStarLegal atty representing Caring for Pasadena Communities is asking why some provisions that her client specifically requested to remain in the permit documents has been eliminated.
I should point out that I'm in no way an expert on air permitting standards being discussed by @tceq, ITC, and attys like the @LStarLegal counsel currently testifying. I just like breathing/seeing clean air and doin't want to drown in an oil and gas abetted climate disaster.
Aww, I think I recognize the voice that belongs to Colin! He's asking about if projects impacts are being aggregated in considering their environmental impact or not since they are being considered discrete.
After checking in with the Spanish speaking line the first questioner Hyejin is back. She asks about disparate impact on racial and ethnic groups.
And someone from ITC says we take considerations to human health without regard to other factors.
So...no racial and ethnic disparate impact analysis?
So...no racial and ethnic disparate impact analysis?
Ahhh, another @LStarLegal representative for Caring for Pasadena Communities asking about a toxicology memo sent last year. He's asking a very technical question to @TCEQ about why certain compounds are allowed to appear in applications at certain level.
A scientist from @TCEQ is giving a technical answer and some background. This is where TCEQ's scientific language in service of (O&G) business as usual and public health is on full display.
@_SemaHernandez_ is asking great questions about the public availability of the scientific supporting documents. The main response is, if it's in the permitting application, you can PIR it.
Me: okay great, no one knows how to read those materials
Me: okay great, no one knows how to read those materials
Cory: How do catastrophic events factor into permit applications?
This is a great question for a #ClimateCrisis capital like Houston. We had so many close calls in 2020.
@TCEQ staff Chris: those are reported, but unauthorized emissions
This is a great question for a #ClimateCrisis capital like Houston. We had so many close calls in 2020.
@TCEQ staff Chris: those are reported, but unauthorized emissions
A biobreak! So civilized! In the meantime check out what comes up when you google #ITCDisaster. If @TCEQ grants this permit for an application submitted in 2017 w/o reckoning with this 2019 disaster their credibility will take a big hit.
@oJaison (paraphrased): it's strangely that this deliberation is taking place and the unprepared harm to the Houston area. This permit to make them a minor emitter is just absurd. We need more information on how @TCEQ will keep us safe after the fire/ #ITCdisaster.
Paraphrasing a UH student who worked as a dog walker during the #ITCdisaster: I live in the 2nd ward. I had to be outside during the disaster in order to make money. Since the week of the ITC disaster, I have had persistent asthma and have to use an inhaler.
Paraphrasing someone named Matt who I'm guessing is an engineer said: It's one thing to give this to a company that respects public health and has been a good actor, but I think it's despicable so many failures exited and affordances for failure modes haven't been made.
^ his name was Michael, got him confused with @mtresaugue who I owe an email response to :)
