The Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator, located in Texas, has been a subject of concern for local residents and environmental groups due to its potential impact on air and water quality. In this news, we will analyze the incinerator’s compliance with state and federal regulations and identify potential areas for improvement.
Introduction to the Incinerator
The Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator is a municipal solid waste inciner!ator that burns waste to produce electricity. The facility is operated by a private company and is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
State Regulations
In Texas, the TCEQ is responsible for regulating waste incinerators. The agency sets standards for air and water emissions, as well as requirements for waste handling and disposal. The Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator is subject to the following state regulations:
- 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 117: This regulation sets standards for air emissions from waste incinerators, including limits on particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds.
- 30 TAC Chapter 326: This regulation sets standards for waste handling and disposal, including requirements for waste segregation, storage, and transportation.
Federal Regulations
The EPA regulates waste incinerators under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator is subject to the following federal regulations:
- 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 60: This regulation sets standards for air emissions from waste incinerators, including limits on particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds.
- 40 CFR Part 264: This regulation sets standards for waste handling and disposal, including requirements for waste segregation, storage, and transportation.
Compliance Review
A review of the Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator’s compliance with state and federal regulations reveals some areas of concern. According to data from the TCEQ and EPA, the facility has exceeded air emission limits on several occasions, including:
- Particulate matter (PM) emissions: The facility exceeded the 30 TAC Chapter 117 limit for PM emissions on three occasions in 2020.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions: The facility exceeded the 40 CFR Part 60 limit for CO emissions on two occasions in 2020.
In addition, the facility has been cited for several violations of waste handling and disposal regulations, including:
- Waste segregation: The facility was cited for failing to properly segregate waste streams, resulting in the mixing of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
- Waste storage: The facility was cited for storing waste in an area that was not designed for waste storage, resulting in the potential for environmental contamination.
Potential Areas for Improvement
Based on the compliance review, there are several areas where the Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator can improve its environmental performance. These include:
- Implementing more effective air pollution control systems to reduce PM and CO emissions.
- Improving waste handling and disposal practices, including proper segregation and storage of waste streams.
- Increasing transparency and public outreach, including regular community meetings and emissions reporting.
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The Atascosa Jourdanton Waste Incinerator has the potential to be a valuable asset for the local community, providing a means of waste disposal and electricity generation. However, the facility must prioritize compliance with state and federal regulations to ensure that it is operating in an environmentally responsible manner. By addressing the areas of concern identified in this review, the facility can improve its environmental performance and reduce the potential for adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
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