The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $662,785 against 70 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: two agricultural, 24 air quality, two dry cleaner, one field citation, two industrial waste discharge, three multi-media, four municipal solid waste, ten municipal waste discharge, six petroleum storage tank, eight public water system, and six water quality. In addition, there were default orders issued for the following categories: one multi-media, and one petroleum storage tank.

Included in the total is a fine of $135,538 against Conoco Phillips Company in Chambers County. Penalties were assessed for air violations noted in a routine investigation on November 3, 2006 including volatile organic compound emissions exceeding the permitted rate, and failure to report the excess emissions. A portion of the fine--$67,769 will be used by Chambers County school districts and transit agencies to supplement funding for clean air programs.

Also, the commission voted to approve the air permit renewal application of ASARCO, LLC to operate a copper smelter in El Paso, Texas.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Feb. 27. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work sessions can be viewed at the TCEQ Web site. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available, at www.texasadmin.com/cgi-bin/tnrcc.cgi.