Parents and grandparents in Pasadena are handing out fliers and offering $10,000 cookies at a mock bake sale designed to raise awareness about the possibility that area refineries could be awarded a multimillion dollar tax refund.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may force refinery towns and cities to refund more than $135 million in taxes. The three commissioners appointed by Gov. Rick Perry are considering a request by the refineries that argues new pollution reducing units should be tax exempt.

The concerned families handed out fliers and asked parents dropping children off at school Monday to sign petitions to express opposition to the move. The Pasadena Independent School Districtmay have to return $11.3 million to two refineries.

Similar events are planned later Monday at eight Houston schools.