The Honorable Greg A. Cooke
Regional Administrator
EPA - Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas  75202

Dear Administrator Cooke:

     As the Representative of the Eighteenth
Congressional District of Texas, I was concerned to hear
about the recent consent agreement reached between the
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC)
and Crown Central Petroleum in Pasadena, Texas. 
According to the constituents in my district, the
agreement is not adequate to protect the health and
safety of area residents.

     Specifically, critics of TNRCC's treatment of Crown,
including the Harris County Pollution Control Division,
have called in recent weeks to require Crown to install
a second piece of emission-limiting equipment known as a
"sulfur recovery unit," because the refinery's lone
sulfur unit has experienced chronic problems for years. 
Meanwhile, I would be disturbed if the outside
consultants that the TNRCC ordered Crown to hire did not
bring about the addition of a second sulfur unit.

     Ultimately, I urge you to examine these issues
carefully and initiate any actions necessary to reduce
these harmful emissions.  Hopefully, this correspondence
makes very clear that I expect improved compliance at the
plant, including adherence to a speedy timetable.  If
not, I will expect to see increased penalties for future
violations by Crown, regardless of how large such
penalties might be.

     Again, I would greatly appreciate it if your agency
would review the agreement mentioned earlier and
determine whether or not it complies with any and all
applicable federal laws, while at the same time, reducing
sulfur dioxide releases.  Thank you for your attention to
this very serious matter, and please do not hesitate to
contact me or Gerald Womack, my district manager, if we
can be of any assistance.

                         Sincerely,

                         Sheila Jackson Lee
                         Member of Congress