The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $1,056,898 against 67 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: one agricultural, 18 air quality, one dry cleaner, three field citations, four industrial waste discharge, one licensed irrigators, two multi-media, two municipal solid waste, 11 municipal waste discharge, six petroleum storage tank, six public water system, one wastewater operator certification, three water quality. In addition, there were default orders as follows: two air, one multi-media, one petroleum storage tank, three public water system, and one sludge.

Included in the total were fines against Lide Industries, Inc. in Freestone County of $306,570 for 15 air violations including; migrating dust and overspray to adjacent property, failure to comply with outdoor burning rules, excess emissions of VOCs, failure to conduct sampling and testing required, inadequate maintenance of equipment and inadequate recordkeeping.

Also in the total were fines against ConocoPhillips Company in Hutchinson County of $168,103 for 23 air violations including; unauthorized emissions in relation to an emergency flare event in September, 2006, incomplete monitoring and reporting, inadequate equipment maintenance and repair, and other emissions violations.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for May 21. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work sessions can be viewed on the TCEQ Web site. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available, at TexasAdMin.com.