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Environmental group urges council and neighbors to weigh in on nearby Heidelberg Materials concrete-plant permit
Summary
Air Alliance Houston urged council members and staff to alert residents of a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality public meeting July 15 on the permit renewal for a Heidelberg Materials concrete plant in the Near Northside, citing concerns about dust, silica and truck traffic near 4,800 residents.
Houston — Environmental justice advocates asked council members on July 8 to help spread the word about a July 15 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) meeting on a permit renewal for Heidelberg Materials South Texas Concrete LLC, a concrete batch plant on West Hardy Road in the Near Northside.
Reem Tariq, environmental justice outreach coordinator at Air Alliance Houston, said a single plant proposed to operate 24 hours a day could produce emissions of fine particulate, crystalline silica and truck traffic that would affect an estimated 4,800 residents within a one‑mile radius, a community the presenter characterized as more than 95% people of color and many Spanish speakers.
Key points - The TCEQ meeting was announced for 6 p.m. on July 15 at Herrera Elementary School cafeteria; the permit would allow up to 300 cubic yards of concrete production per hour and 24/7 operations, according to the public notice referenced. - Air Alliance Houston requested city council and council offices help distribute meeting notices and attend the TCEQ hearing; they asked for clearer information, stronger health protections and accountability for nearby residents. - Council members present offered to share the notice in newsletters and requested additional information on any past violations; the speaker said no violations were listed in TCEQ’s public database but she would follow up with the city’s pollution-control office.
Ending: Council members and city staff were asked to assist in outreach and to gather monitoring data and complaints history for the site to better inform neighbors before the July 15 hearing.
