Bronte Wells
Texas is one of the world's largest global warming polluters, and its air quality is poorer than that of other states, with an average daily density of nine micrograms per cubic meter. The state's power sector emissions alone exceed the pollution from the entire economies of all but six states, and it is the largest consumer of coal in the US. Texas's air pollution is caused by gases from motor vehicles, industrial activity, burning activities, and volcanic emissions, with ozone and particulate matter being the most common pollutants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Almost 30 million people |
| Air pollution sources | Cars, trucks, factories, burning activities, volcanic emissions, industrial sources |
| Pollutants | Ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, benzene, butadiene, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide |
| Health effects | Asthma, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, vomiting |
| Air Quality Index (AQI) in different areas | El Paso Chamizal: 98, Isla Blanca Park: 85, Clinton: 72, Austin Northwest: 70, Karnack: 65, San Antonio Northwest: 61, Baytown: 60, Socorro Hueco: 60, Texarkana New Boston: 58, Denton Airport South: 57, Old Hwy 90: 56, Waco Mazanec: 56, Hamshire: 54, Houston Aldine: 53, Port Arthur Memorial School: 52, Eagle Pass: 51, Conroe Relocated: 51, World Trade Bridge: 51, Austin Webberville Rd: 50, SETRPC 42 Mauriceville: 49, Odessa Gonzales: 46 |
| Measures to reduce air pollution | Conserving energy, limiting driving, using alternative energy sources, closing coal-burning power plants |
| Wind power capacity | 17% of Texas' electric grid capacity |
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Texas's air pollution
Texas is the second-largest US state by area and population, with a population of almost 30 million people in 2020. The state's well-known oil and gas industry, as well as vehicles and industrial activity, are major contributors to air pollution.
A report by the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center found that Texas oil and gas facilities released 135 million pounds of illegal air pollution in 2018, more than double the amount from the previous year. This figure is likely understated due to weak enforcement of legislation, with companies only facing financial penalties around 3% of the time.
In 2019, industrial facilities in Houston, Texas, emitted more than 23 million pounds of air pollutants over the permitted limits. Overall, companies discharged more than 170 million pounds of unauthorised toxins into the air during that year.
However, there are some positive signs. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin's air quality improved the most out of all Texas cities, with a 24% reduction in ozone levels from March 11 to April 13. This was attributed to fewer vehicles on the road and highlights the potential for long-term improvement through reduced transportation emissions and increased adoption of electric vehicles.
Additionally, the closure of three coal-burning power plants in late 2017 prevented more than 150,000 tons of dangerous, smog-forming air pollutants from entering the atmosphere in East and Central Texas. Wind power is also becoming more widespread and efficient, currently accounting for 17% of Texas's electric grid capacity.
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Water quality
Texas has been facing a water quality crisis, with the state ranking as the second-biggest water polluter in the country in terms of pounds of toxic chemicals released into waterways. When the toxicity of the pollution is considered, Texas becomes the biggest water polluter in the US. In 2012, Texas polluters released about 16.5 million pounds of toxic chemicals, and this number rose to 16.7 million pounds in 2020.
The state's waterways are easily accessible for industrial projects to discard large volumes of waste and chemical discharge. Texas has a lenient regulatory environment, making it challenging to enforce fines for violations. This has resulted in companies finding it more cost-effective to pay fines rather than invest in environmentally friendly practices.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees programs and sets standards to manage and control pollutants in Texas surface waters. They establish surface water quality standards, monitor and assess the status of natural waterways, and implement pollution control projects. TCEQ has stated that they have robust water quality permitting and enforcement programs and that any comparison with other states should consider Texas's size and industrial activity.
Despite these efforts, water treatment processes often fail to effectively remove industrial pollutants. This is due to a lack of advanced techniques and technology. Additionally, sewage treatment plants, which are supposed to clean wastewater before releasing it into rivers, have been found to have permit violations for pollutants, including nitrogen and phosphorus.
The most publicized issues regarding Texas's water quality are the high levels of arsenic, lead, and radiation, as well as unnamed chemicals. These contaminants are linked to serious health issues, including cancer, damage to the brain and nervous system, hormonal disruption, and problems during pregnancy.
To address these issues, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new clean water rules for meat and poultry plants, which are major contributors to water pollution in Texas. The EPA's proposal is in response to a lawsuit filed by environmental organizations for failing to adhere to the Clean Water Act. Texans are also demanding better regulation and consistent analysis from the EPA to ensure their water systems are protected and provide clean water for their health and enjoyment.
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Greenhouse gases
Texas is the largest energy-producing and energy-consuming state in the US. In 2022, the state produced 13.4% of the nation's carbon dioxide, a total of 663 million metric tons. This is more than double the carbon emitted in California, the second-largest producer. Texas's carbon emissions have been increasing since 2000, and in 2018, they reached 684 million metric tons.
Transportation is responsible for the largest chunk of carbon dioxide emissions in the US (37.3%), with the generation of electricity being the second-largest offender (31%). Texas's high emissions can be partly attributed to its energy production and consumption, as well as its reliance on coal. The state has discovered seemingly limitless supplies of natural gas in the Permian Basin, which has helped reduce the use of coal. Additionally, wind power is becoming more widespread and efficient, currently accounting for 17% of Texas's electric grid capacity.
Air pollution in Texas is caused by a combination of factors, including motor vehicles, industrial activity, burning activities, and volcanic emissions. Texas is known for its blue skies and bright summer days, but hot weather and pollutants from cars, trucks, and factories can make the air unhealthy. The two main contributors to unhealthy air are ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). In 2019, industrial facilities in Houston emitted more than 23 million pounds of air pollutants beyond permitted limits, and companies discharged over 170 million pounds of unauthorised toxins.
To improve air quality, Texas has passed laws and imposed standards for certain contaminants. The closure of three coal-burning power plants in 2017 prevented more than 150,000 tons of dangerous air pollutants from entering the atmosphere. Additionally, residents can help reduce air pollution by conserving energy, limiting driving, and using alternative energy sources.
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Health impact
Texas is the second-largest state in the US by both area and population, with almost 30 million residents in 2020. The state has passed laws and imposed standards for certain contaminants, and wind power now accounts for 17% of Texas's electric grid capacity. However, industrial facilities in Houston emitted over 23 million pounds of air pollutants above permitted limits in 2019, and unauthorised toxins discharged by companies in the same year totalled over 170 million pounds.
Texas is known for its blue skies and bright summers, but hot weather and pollutants from cars, trucks, and factories can make the air dirty and unhealthy, especially for those sensitive to air pollution. Ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) are the two main contributors to poor air quality. PM2.5 is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil, or biomass fuels like wood. It can also come from wildfires, road dust, construction sites, landfills, industrial sources, and pollen. Due to its minuscule size, PM2.5 can enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream.
In 2016, approximately 26.7 million (98.9%) of the 27 million people living in Texas resided in areas where PM2.5 concentrations were above the WHO recommendation of 5 μg/m3, and 2.6 million people (9.8%) lived in areas where the average PM2.5 concentration exceeded 10 μg/m3. A study from El Paso found that air particles and gas fumes produced by motor vehicles and industrial air pollutants reached a geometric mean of 125 µg/m³ across all sites sampled during a 30-day period.
The health effects of PM2.5 pollution in Texas have been investigated in several studies. These studies found that PM2.5 pollution is associated with mortality, low birth weight, stroke, new-onset asthma, new-onset Alzheimer's, and non-fatal lung cancer. PM2.5 not only causes premature death but also contributes to disease and disability at all stages of life.
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Energy production
Texas is the nation's largest net energy supplier, providing about one-fourth of the country's domestically produced primary energy. Texas leads the nation in energy consumption across all end-use sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation. Texas's energy mix includes both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. Natural gas is the leading energy source by consumption in Texas, with over 4,500 Btu used in 2021. Texas contains almost a quarter of the US's proven dry natural gas reserves, with nearly 30 of the nation's 100 largest natural gas fields located in the state. In 2021, the state accounted for 28% of the nation's natural gas production.
Texas is also a top producer of crude oil, accounting for more than two-fifths (43%) of the nation's production in 2023. Texas has led all states in crude oil production in every year but one (1988) since at least 1960. The state also accounts for more than two-fifths of the nation's crude oil proved reserves. In 2017, Texas oil production exceeded the state's 1972 peak, and in 2023, annual output surpassed 2 billion barrels for the first time.
Texas is also a leader in renewable energy production. The state exceeded its 2025 goal of installing 10,000 megawatts of renewable electricity generating capacity in 2009, mostly due to its many wind farms. At the end of 2023, Texas had over 57,000 megawatts of utility-scale generating capacity fueled by renewable sources. When small-scale solar was included, the state had just over 60,000 megawatts of total renewable net summer generating capacity. Texas also generates a significant amount of wind energy, with its famous winds combining with those along the coastal plains to amplify the state's wind generation. In 2023, Texas accounted for 22% of wind energy generation in the US.
While Texas is a leader in energy production, it is also one of the largest polluters in the nation. Texas emits more greenhouse gases than any other state, emitting nearly twice as much as California, the second-highest emitter. Most of Texas's greenhouse gas emissions come from the electric power, industrial, and transportation sectors. The state is home to eight of the top 50 facilities with the most greenhouse gas emissions in the country.
There are efforts being made to reduce pollution in Texas. For example, CPS Energy’s board of directors voted to shut down coal operations at J. K. Spruce by 2028, with one unit of the plant being converted to run on methane gas. Additionally, a recent University of Texas study found that "it is possible for the Lone Star State to achieve a net-zero future, and there are multiple ways of getting there." The report suggested that decarbonization of the electric grid, increased electrification of vehicles, reforestation, and other methods will be key to getting Texas to net-zero emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Texas has poorer air quality compared to other states, defined by the presence of pollutants, with an average daily density of nine micrograms per cubic meter.
Texas is the largest consumer of coal in the United States and total emissions from the state's power sector alone exceed the pollution from the entire economies of all but six states. Texas is also known for its blue skies and bright summers, but hot weather and pollutants from cars, trucks, and factories can make the air unhealthy.
Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, harm lung development in children, and even be deadly. Long-term exposure to pollutants increases the risk of premature death among people aged 65 and older.
Texas has passed laws and imposed standards for certain contaminants. Wind power is becoming more widespread and efficient, and natural gas discoveries in the Permian Basin are eroding coal's market position. Texas has also closed three coal-burning power plants, preventing more than 150,000 tons of dangerous air pollutants from entering the atmosphere.
