Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Appears Before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to Combat the Proliferation of Pollutants in Acres Homes and Surrounding Areas
Style Magazine Newswire | 10/14/2019, 12:22 p.m.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, issued this statement following her testimony before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality:
“On Wednesday, I traveled to Austin to testify before the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality on behalf of my constituents in the Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas to fight the proliferation of chemical particles and pollutants in the Acres Homes and surrounding areas. Also testifying were State Senator John Whitmere and State Representative Jarvis Johnson. All three of us spoke to the enormous health hazard and the devastating health impact, and the detriment to the sanctity of the neighborhood generated by chemicals and particles attendant to this concrete mixing facility.
“I share Acres Homes residents’ grave concerns regarding the health and well-being of area residents should the cement manufacturing facility gain approval for construction. The area of Acres Homes where the proposed facility is to be located has a No Deed Restrictions Zone for 3 streets: Mansfield, Desoto, and Paul Quinn Streets. In addition, Highland Park, is located less than 300 yards away from the proposed plant location and has a where a children’s playground and community center. Because Houston does not have zoning, it is of utmost importance that agencies charged with protecting the environmental quality of resident’s air and water remain vigilant. For this reason, it is very troubling that residents living near the location at 3411 Desoto Street report activity they attribute to cement manufacturing. I will be writing a letter under separate cover to the TCEQ Regional Office regarding this matter.
“Since 2014, Texas has led the nation in ready-mix concrete batch plants, with approximately 1700 facilities. According to a Houston Chronicle analysis, Harris County — with 188 plants — has by far the most. Dallas County has half that number. There are 18 cement manufacturing plants in a single Houston state legislative district. Industry officials expect Harris County's number to continue to climb, mirroring Houston's growth. Cement manufacturing produces fine particulates that can be aspirated into the upper respiratory system and can invade the lower respiratory system triggering asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respiratory distress. In 2015, it was reported that African American women were 20 percent more likely to have asthma than non-Hispanic whites. In 2014, African Americans were almost three times more likely to die from asthma related causes than whites. In addition, African American children are four times more likely to be admitted to the hospital for asthma, as compared to non-Hispanic white children. And these increased rates of asthmatic ailments are not without consequences. In 2015, African American children had a death rate ten times that of non-Hispanic white children, due in part to these increased incidences.
“I was pleased that at the conclusion of the hearing, the TCEQ ruled in favor of Acres Homes residents and decided to deny the permit at this time and to submit the residents’ petition to a contested hearing, at a later date. In my testimony I asked TCEQ to convey to the administrative hearing office my request to hold the hearing in Houston, Texas, for the benefit of the residents most impacted, in order for them to attend this vital, life-saving hearing. This is extremely significant. The residents whose rights were vindicated are everyday hardworking homeowners whose only voice is their petition. They had no powerbrokers of which to speak—merely their own advocacy and vigilance. I have worked with this community; I have seen their passion. These residents have invested all their resources into their home, and have seen that hard work and investment undermined by this concrete facility, mere feet from their homes. I urge all involved to work towards a final conclusion that is fair to all and urge the business involved to consider relocation to a more undeveloped area.”