TCEQ adopts enforcement orders 6–18; Bastrop residents press Darling Ingredients over persistent odor; Channelview community questions Lyondell penalty and SEP

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on July 9 adopted enforcement items 6–18, approving administrative orders that together assessed $183,098 in penalties, with $25,294 deferred, $37,240 applied to supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), and $120,564 to general revenue. After the executive director presented the docket, members of the public spoke on several enforcement items, including extended comments about Darling Ingredients’ Bastrop facility (item 6) and the Lyondell Chemical Channelview facility (item 8).

Melissa Cordell of the Enforcement Division summarized the docket and the total assessed penalties and noted staff’s request for approval. OPEC (Office of Public Interest Counsel) told the commission it reviewed the enforcement items and supported adoption of the orders presented by ED staff.

Darling Ingredients, Bastrop (item 6): Multiple Bastrop-area residents told the commission they have experienced persistent putrid odors they identified as hydrogen sulfide, occurring most often at sunset and overnight. ‘‘When my wife and I moved here five years ago, we might smell this odor every three months for one night. Today it…