TEXAS CITY – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) held a public meeting Tuesday evening at the Nessler Civic Center to discuss a proposed desalination plant that could be built along Bayshore-Galveston Bay.
Representatives from EPCOR attended the meeting to address questions and hear concerns from residents.
Despite stormy weather, a large crowd turned out, nearly filling the room.
The meeting began with presentations from EPCOR representatives, who explained the proposed project and its potential benefits.
“The project will have the capacity to deliver 26.5 million gallons a day of drinking water for customers in the area,” said Michael Irlbeck.
Irlbeck explained that the project is intended to help meet the region’s growing demand for water.
“Every five years, the state plans for the new water supply it needs, and it does so by region. The Houston area here is in Region H, and the state is projecting by 2080 Region H is going to need to double its water supply,” Irlbeck said.
Following the presentation, attendees had an opportunity to ask questions and receive responses from EPCOR representatives.
Among the primary concerns raised were where the water would ultimately go, whether it could supply data centers, how the project could affect the power grid and what environmental impacts it might have.
When asked about the project’s potential impact on the power grid, Irlbeck said electricity demand would remain relatively consistent throughout the day.
“Typically, seawater projects, they have pretty baseline operations, a little more water during the day, a little less water at night, but overall, the power flow is pretty constant. On a project for about 25 million gallons a day, probably about 10 megawatts of power. … That’s a question for the power provider that operates the network,” Irlbeck said.
Regarding where the water would be distributed, Irlbeck said those details have not yet been determined.
“So, we do not have that. It’s still early in the process. We anticipate the project supplying both municipal and industrial water supply users in the area, but it will be on a daily basis,” Irlbeck said.
He also addressed concerns about whether the project would supply nearby data centers.
“We are not in any conversation with data centers,” Irlbeck said.
Questions about potential environmental impacts were also raised. EPCOR representatives indicated that research and further evaluation are still part of the project’s development process.
Following the question-and-answer session, attendees were given an opportunity to make public comments. Many of those who spoke expressed opposition to the proposed desalination plant.
“For these reasons and others, I oppose the construction of this desalination plant on shallow, distressed and defined Galveston Bay, and I request a contested case hearing,” said David Jetelina, a Galveston County resident.
However, opposition was not unanimous. Even some residents who supported the proposed project expressed concerns about how it would be managed and its potential effects on the surrounding area.
“I think the desalination plant would be a perfect fit if managed properly to preserve the natural open space, shoreline and resources that exist here now,” said Emmett Grant, a resident.
TCEQ is still accepting written comments from the public. Residents who have additional questions, concerns or wish to request a contested case hearing can submit their responses through the agency’s website at tceq.texas.gov.
