What Is The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality?

Background

The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ), known as the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission until 1993, is Texas’ state environmental agency. The agency was created by the Texas Legislature in 1991, after combining the Texas Water Commission and the Texas Air Control Board to provide synthesis and cohesion in environmental standards. The agency focuses mostly on promoting clean air and water and the safe management of waste in Texas. It also serves as a watchdog for the protection of the state’s natural resources.

Texas and the TCEQ have not always been in compliance with federal environmental standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has caused some friction between the two organizations. The TCEQ has also received complaints from other environmental groups in Texas. In 2010 they faced a lawsuit from The Aransas Project (TAP), a nonprofit focused on water conservation. TAP accused TCEQ of poorly managing the Guadalupe River Basin leading to the deaths of some whooping cranes. The birds are protected by the Endangered Species Act. The TCEQ also faced criticism from the Sunset Advisory Commission in its evaluation of the organization.

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April 9, 2013

Big Switch for Water Regulation in Texas Dominates Hearing at the Capitol

Lawmakers had rocketed through more than a dozen bills before they arrived at Rep. Charlie Geren’s complex and controversial water bill, HB 1307. Then things slowed down at the House Natural Resources Committee meeting at the Capitol today. Other bills, including one that would expand the water supplies a waste disposal authority could tap and […]

March 20, 2013

Coming Soon to the TCEQ: Greenhouse Gas Permits?

Update: HB 788, which would put greenhouse gas permitting into the hands of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), passed out of the House this week. No amendments to the bill were added. Mike Heim, a Texas oil and gas executive, previously told the House Natural Resources Committee that moving the permitting process to […]

March 19, 2013

Environmental Justice and the EPA’s New Man in Texas

Ron Curry is the EPA’s new administrator for Region 6, overseeing enforcement of federal pollution laws in New Mexico (where he once headed that state’s environment department), Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and in Texas. Texas, where the state has gone to court to stop the EPA from enforcing pollution laws. Texas is also where the previous […]

March 12, 2013

Ruling on Water Policy Could Be Felt Across the State

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is tasked with safeguarding the state’s natural resources, but this week a federal judge found the Agency responsible for the deaths of 23 rare whooping cranes. The TCEQ’s management of water flows into the Guadalupe River lead to the deaths by not allowing enough freshwater into the river, […]

March 7, 2013

How One Lawmaker Wants to Tackle Leaky Water Supply Reporting

New legislation could plug the leaks in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) reporting requirements for municipalities running low on water. Right now, a water utility can be nearly tapped out, and it still isn’t required to report the problem. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, has filed a bill, HB 252, that would require water […]

March 6, 2013

Critics Smell Trouble With Sewage Spill Bill

A new bill could stop a lot of the crying over spilled sewage in Texas. Lawmakers and critics voiced various concerns about a sewage spill bill at a House Natural Resources Committee meeting Tuesday at the Capitol. The bill, HB 824 authored by Bill Callegari, R-Houston, would put a floor on the size of spills that must be […]

March 4, 2013

Sewage Bill Would Eliminate Reporting of Smaller Wastewater Spills

Update: On March 5, the sewage spill bill got a hearing at the Capitol. Read about that here. Sewage spill reporting requirements could become less stringent if a bill filed by Rep. Bill Callegari, R-Houston, passes the legislature. The spill bill, HB 824, would exempt wastewater treatment facilities from reporting most sewage spills less than […]

February 13, 2013

New Bill Aims to Quiet Down Texas’ Water Wars

As Texas begins a third year of drought, its conflicts over water with neighbors continue. One high-profile case against Oklahoma is on its way to the Supreme Court, Texas has filed a lawsuit against New Mexico, and is accusing Mexico of not sharing the water it should as well. Hoping to bring a measure of calm […]

February 11, 2013

Polluters and Penalties: Will Higher Fines Make a Difference in Texas?

For years, critics of how Texas enforces environmental regulations have charged that polluters didn’t pay enough when caught, that it was cheaper for big corporations to pay the fine than obey the law. But the newest member appointed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Toby Baker, said changes made by the state legislature […]

February 5, 2013

Finding Water Amid Drought: Legislature Considers Options

John Nielson-Gammon, Texas’ State Climatologist, offered a grim forecast to kick off a joint House and Senate Natural Resources Committee meeting today at the Capitol. “There’s still a good chance this will end up being the drought of record for most of the state,” he said. Several officials from state agencies involved with Texas’ water […]