Texas Air: Four Counties Face New Pollution Rules

Twelve Texas counties have been breathing air that doesn't meet federal standards for soot, but only four might need to do something about it. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) says eight counties can skip stricter rules because of bad data or events like wildfires and dust storms. This has some experts worried that counties are being let off easy.

For instance, Harris County, home to many petrochemical plants, has the worst soot levels. But the TCEQ says Cameron County, which borders Mexico, shouldn't have to follow new rules because of smoke from Mexico and Central America. Industry groups say wildfires and other events make it hard to control soot levels. But some experts think the TCEQ is using these "exceptional events" too freely. They say it makes it tough to hold counties accountable for cleaning up their air. The TCEQ will decide on its recommendations by February 7. The public can give their input until January 21.

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