CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A state agency is recommending that the permit for the Port of Corpus Christi's proposed desalination plant be denied.
The agency - called the state's administrative law judges – making that recommendation to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
According to the documents, the agency's decision is based on the proposed discharges of brine and its impact on the environment and human health.
As we've reported, the proposed marine seawater desalination plant would discharge brine - which is extreme concentrations of salt - in the water.
A local environmental group is calling the recommendation a major victory.
In a statement sent to us, the Port of Corpus Christi says the plant would bring critically needed water to Texas.
The statement reads in part:
“This is a disappointing result that will have a drastic and detrimental impact on any ability to provide enough water for the good people of Texas."
The recommendation now goes to the TCEQ for a final decision.
