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TCEQ issues Wolf Hollow air permits after resident testimony on cumulative impacts
Summary
Commissioners adopted the ALJ’s proposed order and issued air permits to Wolf Hollow 2 Power LLC for multiple air permits after residents urged the agency to require cumulative emissions analysis and real‑world monitoring; the Executive Director and OPIC supported permit issuance based on modeling and ESL review.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality voted to adopt the administrative law judge’s recommendation and issue three air quality permits to Wolf Hollow 2 Power LLC (permit numbers 175173, PSD TX1636, and GHG PSD TX238) for a new electric‑generating facility in Hood County.
Applicant counsel Ben Grama told the commission the administrative record establishes a prima facie case that the draft permits meet state and federal requirements and that the ED’s technical review supports permit issuance. Protestants and residents, notably Cheryl Shadden who lives adjacent to the Wolf Hollow complex, urged commissioners to pause and require cumulative emissions analysis and on‑the‑ground monitoring, saying multiple clustered gas plants have real health and quality‑of‑life impacts that modeling alone does not capture.
Shadden described living near multiple gas plants and urged the commission to consider real‑world monitoring and cumulative impacts rather than evaluating facilities in isolation. She also raised concerns about public financing tied to the project, citing taxpayer support through the Texas Energy Fund for a named developer.
ED staff (Contessa Gay and Air Permits Division staff) and OPIC (Pranjal Mehta) said the agency’s review addressed required analyses including best available control technology (BACT), air dispersion modeling, health effect screening levels (ESLs), and cumulative considerations within the health effects review. Applicant counsel responded that cumulative impacts were evaluated as part of the NAICS and health effects screening processes.
After clarifying edits and ordering provisions to ensure draft permit language and ALJ conclusions appear in the final order, commissioners moved to grant the applications and issue the permits as recommended. The commission’s action confirms the ALJ and ED conclusions that modeled concentrations fall below ESLs and that the draft permit is protective of public health and air quality under applicable rules.
