Topic: Epa Regulations

Environmental Protection Agency regulations originally passed in 1984 mandated that all gas stations upgrade or replace underground storage tanks by December 22, 1998. Approximately 22,000 stations, or 40% of the market, were forced to close due to the high cost of compliance, which averaged $110,000 per site. This shift allowed multinational corporations like Mobil and Exxon to increase their market share from 20% to roughly 80% as independent "Mom and Pop" stations were shut out.

The City of Austin must obtain federal permits to clean Barton Springs Pool while being monitored by federal agents to ensure no harm comes to the salamanders. Questions were raised regarding why the city or state cannot manage the springs without the oversight of the EPA and Carol Browner. Holbrook confirmed the Sunken Gardens were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Roosevelt era.