Natalie Weber/Houston Public Media
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hold a meeting on Tuesday night to hear public input about a concrete and rock crushing facility proposed for construction on the eastern edge of Fort Bend County.
Anti-pollution group Air Alliance Houston is urging local residents to speak out against the plant. Bordering the Southern Colony and Sienna Point neighborhoods From FM 521.
“It’s literally across the street from a residential area,” said Anthony DeSouza, research and policy coordinator for Air Alliance Houston, who described TCEQ as “very industry-friendly.”
“There are too many aggregate plants in the Houston area, including rock crushers and concrete plants,” he said. “We don’t need another one.”
DeSouza pointed to several types of potential pollution, from particulate matter in the air to light pollution at night.
“If you get enough opposition, a lot of times companies will actually have their permits revoked because they don’t want to operate in an area where they’re not welcome,” he said.
Even if permission is granted, opposition at the meeting could force the proposed plant to “make sure it’s a good neighbor,” DeSouza said.
Julpit, the company that applied for the permit, did not respond to Houston Public Media’s request for comment. The TCEQ must approve or deny the permit within 30 days after the public meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Restoration City Life Center in Rosharon, Texas.
