| IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM GEAA MEMBER GROUP: PRESERVE OUR HILL COUNTRY ENVIRONMENT. Your Voice Matters – Act Before July 19The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule that could dramatically reduce public participation in the permitting process for air pollution sources – including rock crushers, concrete batch plants, and other industrial facilities.If adopted, the rule would allow states to decide how much public involvement is required for many air permits, potentially eliminating opportunities Texans have relied on for years to protect their communities.For organizations like Preserve Our Hill Country Environment (PHCE), this is one of the most significant threats we’ve seen to public participation. Why This Matters Public participation is how communities: –Learn about proposed permits before they are approved. –Attend public meetings. –Request Contested Case Hearings when appropriate. –Share local knowledge that agencies may not otherwise consider. –Hold permitting agencies accountable. These protections have been critical in communities across Texas – including right here in Comal County. Without them, industrial facilities could move through the permitting process with little to no public input. |
| TAKE ACTION1. Sign Up to Speak at the EPA Virtual Public Hearing Registration deadline:Sunday, July 19, 2026 The EPA will hold its only scheduled virtual public hearing on: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Choose one of two speaking sessions: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 👉🏼 Register Here |
| 2. Submit Written Comments Deadline:Friday, August 21, 2026 Even if you don’t testify, submitting written comments makes a difference. The EPA must review and respond to substantive public comments. Individual comments that include your own experiences and perspective are especially valuable. Submit comments through: Regulations.gov Docket ID:EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-1212 |
| Sample Comment I strongly oppose the EPA’s proposed rule that would allow states to determine the level of public participation for minor source air quality permits. In Texas, the public already faces significant barriers to meaningful participation in the permitting process and further reducing these opportunities would weaken transparency, accountability, and achievement of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Minor source permits, including those for concrete batch plants, rock crushers, and synthetic minor New Source Review facilities, can have substantial cumulative impacts on nearby communities. Public participation is an essential safeguard that allows residents to raise site-specific concerns, identify potential permit deficiencies, and provide local knowledge that may not otherwise be considered. Rather than reducing public involvement in the name of efficiency, the EPA should strengthen minimum federal public participation requirements and ensure that state agencies cannot use expedited permitting at the expense of community health, clean air, and meaningful public engagement (Please personalize your comments whenever possible. Individual stories and local experiences carry greater weight than identical form letters.) |
| Free Training Session PHCE’s TRAM partner, Air Alliance Houston, is offering a free online training session to explain the proposed rule, help participants prepare testimony, and answer questions. Monday, July 20, 2026 6:30 PM👉🏼Register here |
| Please Share Forward this email to friends, neighbors, family members, and community organizations. Protecting public participation protects every Texas community. Thank you for standing with Preserve Our Hill Country Environment. |