Judge to Rule Against Las Brisas Air Permit

The Las Brisas Power Plant proposed location in Corpus Christi projects creating almost 4,000 jobs over the 4-5 year construction period in Refinery Row. In addition to creating jobs Las Brisas would generate $900 million in local spending and $400 million in local tax revenue. Residents in the Refinery Row district in Corpus Christi are mostly low-income, minority populations; however, the plant is facing opposition from Refinery Row residents, city officials, and business leaders. Despite being supported by the Central Bend Labor Council, the South Texas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the Port of Corpus Christi. Business leaders in the area state that Corpus Christi is taking striding steps in becoming a more sustainable community and creating further associations with coal and petroleum coke industries would be a detrimental to the development process.

Texas District Court Judge Stephen Yelenosky cited Monday that he plans to rule against the air permit for Las Brisas power plant. The ruling is based on a lawsuit proposed by environmental groups wanting to reverse the permit. Judge Yelenosky concerns are directed three major aspects of the permit. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did not require sufficient technology to tolerate Las Brisas fuel source. They did not make compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Further, the permit did not prove accountability for storage and transportation of petroleum coke at the Las Brisas plant. It has not been determined if the ruling will require a reversal of the permit or a reversal and remand of permit for the plant.