The Texas Senate on Friday passed a bill (HB 788) intended to make the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) the state’s permitting authority for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions sources, sidestepping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where permitting bottlenecks are said to be holding up projects.

The bill “seeks to put Texas on par with other states that are issuing greenhouse gas emission permits for sources within those states and to counter possible competitive disadvantages Texas businesses are experiencing…” according to an analysis of the legislation.

The bill was authored by Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) and has enjoyed the support of oil and gas interests, which have argued that TCEQ would issue permits more quickly. Opponents of the legislation said it ignores the issue of climate change and removes the ability of citizens to contest permits.

The bill passed the House April 19. If signed by the governor, it would task the TCEQ with adopting a regulatory program that would allow the agency to become the state’s GHG emissions permitting authority.

Among those testifying in favor of the legislation during hearings were the Gas Processors Association, the Texas Pipeline Association, the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Texas Chemical Council. Among those opposing the bill were the Sierra Club and Public Citizen.

The Lone Star state and federal EPA have long been at odds over a number of issues (see Daily GPI, May 25, 2012).

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