Local polluters grab spotlight at Texas Commission on Environmental meeting

Sometimes, industry in Brazoria County "steps up."

Such was the case today, when two industrial stalwarts in the county "where Texas began" covered themselves in glory by incurring some of the largest fines in whole State o' Texas when the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality convened in Austin, the state capital.

The board levied $880,995 in penalties against 72 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations, but it was two local operations that stood at the head of the class:

INEOS, USA, a manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products which says one of its key values is "environmental performance," was fined $217,000 for air quality violations in 2005 and 2006.

Meanwhile, Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corporation of Brazoria County was fined $154,275 for air quality violations last April.

It's this kind of performance (in a highly competitive environment) where local governmental-approved tax abatements are making a difference to distinguish Brazoria County from the rest of the state.

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