Atmosphere Texas urges Abbott to veto Landgraf’s emissions invoice

Environment Texas activist group is calling on Governor Greg Abbott to veto House Bill 4472, an emissions reduction plan by MP Brooks Landgrave of Odessa.

The bill was signed by the Texas House and Senate and sent to Abbott’s desk on June 1. Alessandra Papa of Environment Texas said Landgraf’s law would divert 35 percent of funds from Texas’s current air pollution program, the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, giving the money to the Texas Department of Transportation.

“In theory, they (TxDOT) could use it on air pollution reduction programs like building bike lanes or sidewalks, but the reality in Texas is that most of that funding would go to building highways, which could actually make the problem worse by adding more cars to the road, “she said.

The text of HB 4472 states that no less than 35 percent of the financing would go to TxDOT for “congestion mitigation”. TxDOT would be required to submit an annual report to the Texas Department on Environmental Quality on certain projects to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

TERP is using its current funds to provide grants to school districts, individuals and businesses for things like replacing older car engines with newer ones that cause less air pollution, Papa said, although she said the program was already underfunded.

When asked if funding is needed to expand Texas’ highways as more people move to the state, she said, “I know that when I have to pay my electric bill, I don’t take that money out of my grocery budget.”

Dad noted that a recent Harvard University study found that 17,000 Texans die from air pollution every year. Midland Odessa had 18 days of increased particulate matter pollution in 2018, she said.

“I think it’s a shocking number and I think more people need to know the risk they are facing,” she said. “School buses are a good example of diesel pollution and children breathe these diesel fumes even when they are on the school bus.”

Abbott has not publicly stated whether it intends to sign HB 4472. The law would go into effect on September 1st when it comes into effect.