Local residents ask questions, express concerns at TCEQ meeting about concrete plant

September 20

15:12 2024

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By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

Several local residents attended public meeting hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on Tuesday evening, Sept. 17, to address concerns about an air quality permit application by GCC Sun City Materials LLC for a temporary concrete batch plant in southeastern Stephens County.

The proposed project includes two temporary concrete batch plants to support construction of the La Casa wind farm in the area; click here to see a map of the proposed location. “GCC will have two temporary concrete batch plants set up on-site. One of those is a backup in case of the event of something what happened to the primary plant,” explained Matthew Johnson with NextEra Energy, the project manager for the La Casa wind farm.

The meeting, which was held at the Breckenridge Woman’s Forum and called at the request of State Representative Glenn Rogers, provided an opportunity for local residents to ask questions and express concerns about the project’s potential environmental and community impact. Representatives from TCEQ, GCC Sun City Materials and NextEra Engery/La Casa Wind Farm were in attendance to answer questions.

“We called the meeting at the request of several residents from (the) La Casa (community),” Rogers said after the meeting. “And, so, as that’s one of my duties as a representative, when I have citizens that have concerns about some of these permits, then this is the way we handle it. We get people together, listen to both sides, and make sure people understand all the facts, and then get that in the public record.”

Martha Rudd speaks at a recent public meeting regarding an application for a temporary concrete plant in southeast Stephens County. Click here to see more photos from the meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

In the introductory portion of the meeting, TCEQ permit reviewer Alexander Hilla said that the proposal meets the regulatory requirements. “After reviewing the permit application, including all of the area maps, block plans … I did determine that the applications submitted on behalf of GCC Sun City did meet the requirements for this standard permit,” he said.

The meeting was organized in two sections, a question-and-answer section and a comments section. During the first part of the meeting, residents raised several questions regarding the project’s environmental and community impacts, particularly its location and potential air and water quality issues.

Zola George, a local resident, questioned the location’s proximity to New Hope Baptist Church. “Why this five-acre spot, you know, next to New Hope Baptist Church? What’s so special about it that you have to put it there?” he asked.

Andrew Kruse, a consultant with Mortenson Construction, the general contractor for the project, responded, “The location was chosen through … site development … So really, it’s going to be the smallest area of impact as far as off-the-road, in the middle of the project. That’s the only reason it’s located there.”

Water usage for the plant was also a concern. GCC representatives said the plant would use about 20,000 gallons of water per day that would come from a municipal water source but that they had not yet secured a specific source.

Michael Taylor, TCEQ director for the Abilene region, said that environmental safeguards, such as dust control measures, would be in place and that the agency would prioritize investigating complaints from residents. “If you see something that doesn’t seem right, give us a call,” Taylor said.

He added that complaints would be handled as quickly as possible. “Most priorities aren’t any more than 30 days,” Taylor said. “And, honestly, in our regional office, we try to get to those quicker, if we can.”

Concerns about air quality were brought up, as well. Jenny Brunner, a resident in the area, voiced concerns about the potential health risks posed by dust and emissions. “I have asthma. I can’t be around that kind of stuff,” she said.

TCEQ representatives explained that the plant would be required to follow strict regulations, including the use of a filtration system to reduce dust emissions. Local resident Martha Rudd questioned the reliability of the system, saying, “If there is a failure in that filter, that’s supposed to work great, but if there is a failure, then that will maybe affect their pocketbook, but it’ll affect our lives.”

In response, TCEQ officials stated that quarterly emissions testing and regular maintenance of the filtration systems would ensure compliance with state regulations. An on-site technician would be responsible for maintaining the plant and its equipment to minimize dust emissions.

Cameron Brunner, a local resident, asked about air quality studies in relation to wind patterns around the plant. “I was reading on the EPA website that they have to do, like, an air study to kind of identify wind patterns… is that part of your process?” he asked.

Alexander Hilla, a permit writer with the TCEQ Air Permits Division, explained that while the TCEQ does not specifically conduct an EPA wind pattern study, their review process does include “a protectiveness review that does incorporate data of wind patterns, as well as background concentrations.”

During the comment section of the meeting, speakers were limited to three minutes each. Several people voiced their concerns about the project and asked that the permit be denied.

Coy David Leonard spoke on behalf of his family, requesting that the permit for a temporary concrete plant in southeastern Stephens County be denied due to the damage it will cause to nearby property and businesses. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Coy David Leonard spoke on behalf of himself and several members of his family, descendents of the Bargsley family that moved to the La Casa area in 1876. “We are all strongly opposed to placement of this cement production facility on County Road 128 since this will affect us economically,” Leonard said. “Our land is a source of income from game hunters and cattle production. Placement of this facility will, in our opinion, cause (irreparable) harm to our ability to secure hunters due to the loss of game. In previous years, we’ve hunted the land for deer, dove, quail and turkey. This plant will produce noise, dust and traffic that will drive the deer and other game away from our property.”

Leonard also commented about the wear and tear on the roads in the area. “We also know county road 128 will not sustain heavy traffic, especially after a measurable rainfall, as common during seasons of the year,” he said. “This road was never designed to carry heavy equipment. I have already observed large trucks with trailers on the road, traveling at unsafe speeds. The noise of dust and the heavy trucks will have an adverse effect on any activities of the church. These trucks will use the available space on the road and cause any local traffic to divert or detour to a different route.”

Wrapping up his comments with concern for future generations of his family to use the land, Leonard said, “In our opinion, this is not the best site for the proposed plan. This facility will cause financial, environmental damage to our family’s property and income. If this commission is truly responsible for the environment, this permit will be denied and moved away from County Road 128.”

Following additional comments by several other residents, the public meeting concluded.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, Ricky Rechter, a media relations specialist for TECQ, said in an email that the technical review of the application has been completed. “The applicant has represented that all of the requirements of the standard permit have been met,” he stated. “Technical staff is currently reviewing all comments received during the comment period. No final decision has been made regarding the approval of the application.”

Concerning when a final decision will be made, Rechter wrote, “The public comment period ended for this application on September 19, 2024. Staff is currently reviewing all the comments received during the public comment period. The Executive Director will respond to all comments received during the comment period by filing a formal Response to Comments (RTC). Since hearing requests were received on this application, once the RTC is filed, the Office of the Chief Clerk (OCC) will schedule all timely hearing requests and any requests for reconsideration to be considered at a scheduled commission public meeting (Agenda). If a request for contested case hearing is granted, the commission will specify the number and scope of factual issues to be referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and specify the maximum duration of the hearing. If a request for contested case hearing is not granted, the commission will issue the registration.”

Following Tuesday’s meeting, Rep. Rogers praised the community’s level of engagement during the meeting. “I think it was a good hearing. I do. I think people came prepared. I was very impressed with how prepared that people were with information,” he said. “This is the American way. This is the process. We don’t have to just take permits that we don’t agree with. This is the process — to have a public hearing, express their concerns, and have those addressed.”

Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the meeting.

Michael Taylor, TCEQ director for the Abilene region answers Jenny Brunner’s questions about potential health risks posed by dust and emissions from a proposed temporary concrete plant affiliated with the La Casa Wind Farm project. Jenny’s husband, Earl Brunner, standing behind her, and their sons also spoke at the meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Stephens County property owner Zola George, right, asks questions about the location of a proposed concrete plant, which could be built near the New Hope Baptist Church for the NextEra Energy La Casa Wind Farm project. Listening to George’s questions are, at left, Andrew Kruse, a consultant with Mortenson Construction, the general contractor for the project, and, center, Deanna Avalos, TCEQ meeting facilitator. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Chad Henrich, general manager for GCC Sun City Materials, answers questions from Stephens County residents about a proposed temporary concrete plant in the southeastern part of the county. Also pictured are, from left, Sonny Holguin, environmental engineer for GCC; Henrich; Matthew Johnson with NextEra Energy, project director for the La Casa Wind Farm; and, Deanna Avalos, TCEQ meeting facilitator. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Zola George, who owns property in southeastern Stephens County, voices his concerns about the proposed concrete plant for the NextEra Energy wind turbine project in that quadrant of the county. Click here to see more photos from the meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)