A New Law to Clean Our Air

On hot, sunny days in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area, a blanket of haze can hang in the air. This isn't just humidity or fog—it's a form of pollution known as ground-level ozone. It’s not the protective ozone layer high up in the atmosphere; this is a toxic substance created when sunlight reacts with chemicals from industrial facilities and vehicle exhaust. It’s not a natural part of the air we should be breathing.  

Ozone pollution can be dangerous to our health. Breathing it in can feel like a "sunburn" on your lungs, leading to coughing, a sore throat, and difficulty breathing. These effects are especially risky for children, older adults, and anyone with respiratory issues like asthma.  

The good news is that new laws are in place to address this. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially reclassified our region as a "serious" ozone nonattainment area. This new classification is a formal recognition that the air pollution problem here is significant and requires a stronger, more immediate response.  

In direct response to this federal mandate, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has adopted new rules. These regulations, specifically Texas Administrative Code Chapters 115 and 117, are designed to limit the emissions of ozone-forming pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx​) from major stationary sources of pollution—in other words, the industrial facilities that contribute most to the problem. These companies now have a deadline of January 1, 2025, to comply with the stricter limits.  

There is also a powerful financial incentive for them to act. If the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area fails to meet its clean air goals by July 20, 2027, the federal government could impose a "Section 185 fee" on major polluters as early as 2028. This means the companies that fail to clean up their act will face significant financial penalties.  

While these new regulations target big industry, individual actions remain crucial. We all have a part to play in protecting our air.

Here are a few steps you can take:

• Check the daily air report. The TCEQ website provides daily air quality forecasts. On "Ozone Action Days," it's best for sensitive groups to limit strenuous activity outdoors.  

• Rethink your commute. Carpooling, walking, or biking when possible puts fewer cars on the road and reduces the chemicals that form ozone.  

• Avoid idling your vehicle. If you're waiting in a drive-thru or picking up a curbside order, turning off your car saves gas and reduces emissions.  

• Wait until the evening to do yard work. Gas-powered lawn equipment releases ozone-forming pollutants. Waiting for cooler temperatures in the evening can help reduce this.  

• Dispose of chemicals properly. Make sure toxic products like motor oil and paint don't wash into our waterways and harm the Galveston Bay.  

By understanding the new laws and taking these small steps, we can all contribute to the ongoing effort to ensure cleaner, healthier air for our communities.