Texas Judge Says State Environmental Regulators Did Not Follow Guidelines.
A Texas judge says state environmental regulators did not follow federal guidelines when they issued an air permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant on the Gulf Coast.
District Court Judge Stephen Yelenosky issued the letter on Monday, indicating the air permit will not stand up in court. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved the air permit for the proposed Las Brisas Energy Center last May, clearing the way for construction. But environmental groups challenged the permit in court, arguing the process was flawed.
While Yelenosky backed the state agency on some points, he said in his letter that the TCEQ failed in crucial steps of the permitting process. The TCEQ and Las Brisas did not immediately comment on the letter.
