Texas Expands Petrochemical Industry Amid Health Warnings

Texas is undergoing a significant expansion of its petrochemical infrastructure, with 41 new projects currently planned or under construction. This industrial growth is driven by substantial economic incentives but is raising alarms among public health experts due to the release of millions of pounds of toxic pollutants annually. The state's commitment to fossil-fuel operations remains unwavering, contributing $249 billion to the state's economy while simultaneously making it the nation's top emitter of carcinogens.

Despite the potential for deteriorating air quality and increased health risks for nearby residents, regulatory oversight appears minimal. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has historically approved nearly all new air permit applications. Communities in Jefferson and Harris counties, particularly those with majority-minority populations, are at the forefront of this expansion, facing the direct impact of new facilities that release nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous materials into their air.

Texas stands as a global powerhouse in energy and chemical production, responsible for more greenhouse-gas emissions than the entire country of Saudi Arabia. The state's oil, gas, and petrochemical operations discharge tens of millions of pounds of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere each year, accounting for almost one-fifth of such releases across the United States. It is the nation's leading emitter of specific carcinogens, including benzene, ethylene oxide, and 1,3-butadiene.

The economic rationale for this expansion is clear and compelling. According to reports from the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, oil and gas extraction, transportation, and processing contributed $249 billion to the state's gross domestic product in 2021 and supported 661,000 jobs. Texas also accounts for 75 percent of the petrochemicals manufactured in the U.S., serving as the engine for the global plastics industry.

However, this industrial dominance comes with environmental consequences. Plastic products generated by this industry clog oceans and landfills, eventually breaking down into microplastics that infuse human bodies with potentially dangerous particles. Despite these concerns, the state's industrial construction spurt is well into its second decade with little sign of slowing.

The pace of industrial development in Texas has accelerated rapidly since 2013. Data from the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project’s Oil & Gas Watch indicates that 57 petrochemical facilities have been built or expanded in the state during this period. A significant portion of this development is concentrated in vulnerable areas, with over half of these facilities located in majority-minority neighborhoods.

Looking ahead, the expansion shows no signs of abating. Over the next five years, plans are in place for 18 new plants and 23 expansions. These projects have significant potential to impact the climate and local air quality. According to company filings with the state, twelve of these projects alone will be permitted to release greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of 41 natural gas-fired power plants. Emissions estimates for the remaining projects were not available at the time of reporting.

In addition to greenhouse gases, these facilities are permitted to release massive quantities of hazardous air pollutants. The 41 projects collectively are allowed to emit 38.6 million pounds of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest-priority pollutants. These include carcinogens and respiratory irritants that pose direct threats to public health.

Specific regions in Texas are poised to bear the brunt of this industrial growth. Jefferson County and Harris County (which includes Houston) are identified as areas where air quality could deteriorate significantly. Residents in these counties face an increased risk of cancer, respiratory illness, reproductive effects, and other life-altering conditions due to the concentration of new facilities.

In Jefferson County, industry zeal is returning to the birthplace of the Texas oil boom. Near Beaumont, Woodside Energy is constructing a plant to produce anhydrous ammonia and other chemicals. State permits authorize the facility to add almost 80,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides annually to the air in Nederland. These emissions can cause acute and chronic respiratory distress and contribute to ground-level ozone pollution. Despite four formal objections, local officials embraced the plant, granting Woodside a 10-year property-tax exemption and a $209 million tax abatement from the school district.

Just two miles away, Energy Transfer plans to erect a large ethane cracker on the Neches River. This facility, which heats ethane to create ethylene for plastics, is permitted to release nearly 10 million pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) annually. VOCs contribute to ozone formation and can cause effects ranging from throat irritation to cancer. The facility will also release nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The TCEQ stated that the project is 'protective of human health and the environment and no adverse effects are expected to occur.' However, residents like Reanna Panelo, a lifelong Nederland resident, formally objected, writing to the TCEQ: 'It is not fair nor is it morally right to build such a monstrous and horrendous plant designed to kill the surrounding area, residents and environment, for company gain.'

The regulatory environment in Texas appears favorable to industrial expansion. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) holds the authority to approve or deny air permits required for construction. Historical data suggests the odds are heavily in favor of applicants; in the past quarter-century, the TCEQ has denied less than 0.5 percent of new air permits and amendments.

Current and future projects highlight the scale of potential development. In Channelview, an unincorporated part of Harris County, five projects are sited within a five-mile radius. This area is already plagued by extremely high levels of cancer-causing benzene and a surge in barge traffic on the San Jacinto River, an underappreciated cause of air pollution. Furthermore, companies have announced dozens more projects, including seven near Channelview, though they have not yet begun the permit application process.

The combination of economic momentum, regulatory leniency, and the sheer number of planned projects suggests that the petrochemical buildout in Texas will continue to shape the region's economy and environment for years to come. As the state solidifies its position as the world's plastics engine, the balance between economic gain and public health remains a critical point of tension.