LCRA Says Public Hearing on Pollution Not Up to Them

Last week Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller announced that he had sent a letter to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) calling for them and state regulators to hold a public hearing over proposed changes to pollution discharge limits at the Fayette Power Project.

LCRA wants to amend its stormwater discharge permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to loosen restrictions on certain pollutants, especially selenium. Selenium can be toxic to aquatic life and humans. Discharges from the power plant enter tributaries that eventually flow into the Colorado River.

“We are aware the Fayette County judge sent a letter to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requesting a public meeting on LCRA’s permit application,” said LCRA Spokesperson Clara Tuma.

Tuma said it will be up to TCEQ to call a public hearing.

“The TCEQ will determine whether to hold a public meeting and if so, where and when the meeting will be,” Tuma said.

LCRA’s application remains pending before the TCEQ.