State funds could be available for use by some cement kiln operators to reduce air pollution if their plants are included in a federal non attainment area with Dallas and Fort Worth. A Texas Commission on Environmental Quality member said the goal would be reducing ozone-producing pollution in Ellis County. The proposal could be implemented if all or part of Ellis County is grouped with the Dallas-Fort Worth area when new federal ozone regulations go into effect. It calls for using state economic development dollars to install largely experimental pollution control equipment on the cement kilns. But a Collin County official questioned why the state would subsidise air-quality improvements for private entities in Ellis County.
The proposal could be implemented if all or part of Ellis County is grouped with the Dallas-Fort Worth area when new federal ozone regulations go into effect. It calls for using state economic development dollars to install largely experimental pollution control equipment on the cement kilns. Ellis County is reportedly the region’s largest industrial source of ozone-forming emissions.
Ralph Marquez, a member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said the state has not determined what economic development funds could be used for Ellis County. He said the state could tap into the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, which provides US$150m a year for emission control improvements.
