Residents of Rendon, a small community in Tarrant County, are rallying against J7 Ready Mix’s construction of a concrete batch plant.
Although the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has yet to approve J7’s air quality permit, the facility is already built, sparking frustration among locals like Brandon McElroy.
McElroy criticized the lack of oversight, describing the plant as an “eyesore” and highlighting TCEQ’s failure to ensure compliance before construction began. He and his neighbors are now pinning their hopes on the 89th Texas legislative session, where bipartisan lawmakers aim to address gaps in environmental regulation.
State Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, has prioritized stricter oversight for concrete batch plants, while industry leaders, like Zak Covar of the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association, emphasize balancing regulatory measures with the state’s growing infrastructure demands.
Proposed laws, such as Senate Bill 276, seek greater community input on plant approvals, but advocacy groups argue for even stricter measures. Critics call for expanded buffer zones between plants and sensitive sites like hospitals, alongside more stringent permit enforcement.
As legislative debates continue, Rendon residents, supported by Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining, remain determined to push for reforms that protect public health and preserve community well-being.
For Nicole Lopez’s full story, please visit Fort Worth Report.
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