Speakers were divided between concerns for how stricter air quality regulation would affect the Texas economy and the health and welfare of residents, at an Environmental Protection Agency meeting on Monday.

Inside Arlington City Hall, business representatives were concerned that new regulations would limit production capabilities and hurt the bottom line, while people outside these industries expressed concern over health issues caused by lack of regulation and enforcement.

A panel of EPA representatives listened as speakers ranging from concerned local citizens to state officials offered opinions and research findings on the how pollution regulations of natural gas and oil are affecting Texas.

The meetings, which took place from noon to 4 p.m, and 6 to 10 p.m., were the first step in involving the public in the review process.

Alison Davis, the EPA’s Senior Advisor for Public Affairs through the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, pointed out that these meetings were not meant to be hearings.

She said that no proposals for changing any regulations were yet on the table, so hearings would not be held until sometime in January 2011. These meetings were information gathering sessions to aid the EPA’s review of existing air regulations.

During the meetings, EPA representative Bruce Moore invited the public to be involved in the review process by providing information and research regarding natural gas and oil regulations and providing constructive feedback.

He said the timeline for the review was to gather information and issue proposals by January 31, 2011, to allow for public commentary and further review, and take final action on the proposals by November 30, 2011.

David Weinberg of the Texas League of Conservation Voters said he didn’t attend the meeting to offer proposals, but to point out that the power and authority of the EPA, a federal institution, is limited.

He said action was necessary at the state level to insure the health and safety of Texans.

Ken Morgan of the TCU Energy Institute advised the EPA not to discount any available energy sources for the future. He asked the EPA representatives to look to the universities as open forums for discussion and providers of quality research.