Public Notice of State of Texas' Submittal to EPA of Request for Partial National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program Authorization for Oil and Gas Discharges

Zusammenfassung

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6 is requesting comments on and will hold a public hearing for the State of Texas' application for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) authority for discharges from produced water, hydrostatic test water and gas plant effluent, hereafter referred to as oil and gas discharges, within the State of Texas ("application for NPDES oil and gas authorization" or "the application"). The Governor of Texas submitted the application for NPDES oil and gas authorization, seeking approval for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to implement a major category partial NPDES program as provided for under the Clean Water Act (CWA or "the Act"). Today, the EPA is providing public notice of the State's submittal of the application for NPDES oil and gas authorization and of both a public hearing and public comment period on the State's submission. The EPA will either approve or disapprove the State's request for program authorization after considering all comments received. If approved, the NPDES authority for oil and gas discharges within the State of Texas will transfer from the EPA to the TCEQ upon the