Summary

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6 held a public hearing for the State of Texas' application for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) authority for discharges from produced water, hydrostatic test water and gas plant effluent, hereafter referred to as oil and gas discharges, within the State of Texas (“application for NPDES oil and gas authorization” or “the application”). The Governor of Texas submitted the application for NPDES oil and gas authorization, seeking approval for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to implement a major category partial NPDES program as provided for under the Clean Water Act (CWA or “the Act”). Today, the EPA is providing public notice of the State's submittal of the application for NPDES oil and gas authorization and of both a public hearing and public comment period on the State's submission. The EPA will either approve or disapprove the State's request for program authorization after considering all comments received. If approved, the NPDES authority for oil and gas discharges within the State of Texas will transfer from the EPA to the TCEQ upon the date of program approval.

DATES:

Comment period ended on January 11, 2021. The EPA Region 6 held a virtual public meeting with an informal question and answer session, followed by a virtual public hearing. The Presiding Officer designated by the Regional Administrator of EPA, Region 6, conducted the virtual public hearing on the application consistent with the 40 CFR § 124.12. 

Date: January 5, 2021

Time: Virtual Public Meeting: 4:00pm - 5:45pm Central Standard Time

             Virtual Public Hearing: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Central Standard Time

            Public Meeting and Public Hearing overview presentation and transcript