Huber Carbonates is in one of the final steps in its request to receive an expanded air quality permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The permit would allow its Marble Falls limestone quarry, located along U.S. 281, to significantly increase dust production.

The TCEQ recently deemed the quarry’s application “technically complete,” in a document released on Aug. 21 (found here under the “application documents” section), meaning that the permit has cleared all regulatory requirements at the state and federal level and is one step closer to being approved.

Though this complete status moves the quarry’s application forward, it is still not approved.

TCEQ Hearings Manager Georgia Carroll-Warren told DailyTrib staff on Friday, Sept. 4, that the permit is now in the “RFR/HR period,” allowing affected parties a chance to file a request for reconsideration or a hearing request regarding the permit’s complete status. The deadline is Sept. 21.

Soon after the requests have been thoroughly reviewed and addressed by the TCEQ, the commission is expected to make a final decision on the permit. This is one of the last steps in the approval process.

Background

Huber’s permit request was originally submitted in early 2025, and would allow for increased aggregate production and storage at the company’s limestone quarry in Marble Falls, also increasing dust production.

Marble Falls leadership openly opposed the request in May 2025, citing several concerns about the long-term health impacts on residents. The permit was then delayed for nearly a year before being presented for public comment in May 2026.

Over 70 responses were received, including comments from District 19 State Representative Ellen Troxclair, Marble Falls Mayor John Packer, and Marble Falls City Manager Caleb Kraenzel.

In a 15-page document released on Aug. 13 in response to these public comments (found here under the “application documents” section), TCEQ Executive Director Kelly Keel said the following: 

“The executive director determined that the emissions authorized by this permit are protective of both human health and welfare and the environment.

“The proposed permit contains the required control processes to minimize dust.

“Specifically, the permit requires all in-plant roads, stockpiles, truck loading and unloading areas, parking areas, and other traffic areas to be sprinkled with water and/or paved with a cohesive hard service and cleaned as necessary to maintain compliance with all applicable TCEQ rules and regulations.

“Air emissions from this facility are not expected to adversely impact land, livestock, wildlife, crops, or visibility, nor should emissions interfere with the use and enjoyment of surrounding land or water.”

Particulate matter emissions

According to Huber’s air quality permit application, in the case of approval, the quarry’s “particulate matter emissions,” consisting of debris that mixes with liquids like acids or chemicals, would increase significantly during limestone mining operations.

Depending on the particles’ size, they can be deemed as “inhalable,” which could pose several health risks and respiratory issues to the general populace. According to the TCEQ, the smaller the particle, the more dangerous, as smaller particles can be inhaled deeper into the lungs.

The following is a closer look at how Huber expects its total particulate emissions to change if the permit is approved:

• Request to increase total particulate matter from 2.45 tons per year to 10.54 tons per year (more than 300 percent increase)
• Request to increase particulate matter of 10 micrometers in size or less from 1.9 tons per year to 6.26 tons per year (more than 200 percent increase)
• Request to decrease particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers in size or less from 0.95 tons per year to 0.94 tons per year (1 percent decrease)

caden@thepicayune.com