Penalties were not imposed for 97 percent of 21,179 illegal industrial pollution releases in Texas from 2011 to 2016, according to a report released Friday.
Analysis of its records reveal the state's lax enforcement of illegal air pollution during industrial malfunctions and maintenance incidents that emitted pollutants in excess of 400 million pounds within a five-year period.
Why is Texas not enforcing industrial air pollution laws? What does this lack of enforcement mean for air quality statewide?
Guests:
- Ilan Levin, environmental attorney and Texas director of the Environmental Integrity Project
- Luke Metzger, founding director of Environment Texas