TCEQ Sunset Review
In SGVA's attempts to convince TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) of the folly of putting sewage effluent into a creek which recharges the aquifer that provides greater San Antonio's drinking water, we discovered some things about that agency.
Although TCEQ pretends to listen to the people through an elaborate show of public meetings, contested case hearings, encouraging letter-writing and participation in general, what really happens is this: after all that posturing and spending of time and money, the bottom line is, TCEQ will find a way to grant permits to developers, quarry operations, and whatever other big business entities want them. In the contested hearing procedure, if an unbiased administrative law judge recommends permit denial, the TCEQ commission will find a way to overturn it and grant the permit. We saw this happen with a Kendall County sewer permit.
It's all a big political ploy. TCEQ acts this way because it's in the pocket of the governor, who is extremely biased toward business--so much so that the health, safety and welfare of the public are at risk. He appoints the three commissioners, who do what they know he wants, which is to please big business by granting permits.
There needs to be a healthy balance between encouraging business and protecting the public.
The sunset review is an evaluation that takes place for each state agency every 11 years or so. The purpose is twofold--first, to see if an agency still has a function. If it has outlasted its purpose, the recommendation is to abolish it. This is accomplished by the legislature leaving it out of the budget. Secondly, if the agency still has a purpose but is not serving that purpose in the proper way, recommendations to overhaul it are made to the legislature, which then decides what to do. A word of caution. Last time TCEQ was reviewed, all it got was a name change from "Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission" (TNRCC) to "Texas Commission on Environmental Quality" (TCEQ). This time it needs a real overhaul.
TCEQ's sunset review is now scheduled for this fall and winter, 2010-2011. (During the summer it was moved up from 2012-2013.) The Sunset Commission has sent out a questionnaire which has a deadline of July 16, 2010. In November the commission will issue a report, which will be posted on its website, http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/.
After review of the report, there's a second chance to submit written comment. Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, December 15 and 16, public testimony will be given at the Sunset Commission headquarters in Austin. The general public is invited to give testimony. After that, there's a third opportunity for written comment. Upon review of all the written and verbal comment and testimony, the commission will give its decision on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. No testimony will be given at that hearing, and the decision will be final.
The Sunset Advisory Commission is composed of five members of the legislature who are Democrats, five Republicans, and one "public member" on each side, for a total of 12 members. Their names and party affiliation are listed on the home page.
To receive info and reminders about the upcoming TCEQ Sunset Review by e-mail or mail, simply call the Sunset Advisory Commission at 512.463.1300. Julie is very helpful, and I'm sure others are, too.
The address for written comment is:
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission
Robert E. Johnson Building
PO Box 13066
Austin, TX 78701
After SGVA's experience with TCEQ in regard to the sewer plant permit, members have a lot to say to the Sunset Commission. If you do, too, this is your chance. The next opportunity won't be for 11 more years. Last time TCEQ was evaluated all that happened was that its name was changed. We hope to help effect some constructive changes in TCEQ that will cause it to stop rubberstamping every application that comes across its desk.
Among our ideas are these:
a) Maybe TCEQ is such a dedicated permit mill that it should be abolished and re-created into a fair and efficient machine.
b) Maybe TCEQ's mission statement needs to be changed to eliminate the phrase "consistent with sustainable economic development," which we feel is often diametrically opposed to the protection of the environment.
c) The TCEQ commission members should be elected instead of appointed by the governor. Maybe there should be more than three commission members.
d) Rubberstamping permits should be eliminated.
We're sure you have many good ideas of how to improve TCEQ. If you'd like to share some, please click on the "Contact" page above.
Although TCEQ pretends to listen to the people through an elaborate show of public meetings, contested case hearings, encouraging letter-writing and participation in general, what really happens is this: after all that posturing and spending of time and money, the bottom line is, TCEQ will find a way to grant permits to developers, quarry operations, and whatever other big business entities want them. In the contested hearing procedure, if an unbiased administrative law judge recommends permit denial, the TCEQ commission will find a way to overturn it and grant the permit. We saw this happen with a Kendall County sewer permit.
It's all a big political ploy. TCEQ acts this way because it's in the pocket of the governor, who is extremely biased toward business--so much so that the health, safety and welfare of the public are at risk. He appoints the three commissioners, who do what they know he wants, which is to please big business by granting permits.
There needs to be a healthy balance between encouraging business and protecting the public.
The sunset review is an evaluation that takes place for each state agency every 11 years or so. The purpose is twofold--first, to see if an agency still has a function. If it has outlasted its purpose, the recommendation is to abolish it. This is accomplished by the legislature leaving it out of the budget. Secondly, if the agency still has a purpose but is not serving that purpose in the proper way, recommendations to overhaul it are made to the legislature, which then decides what to do. A word of caution. Last time TCEQ was reviewed, all it got was a name change from "Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission" (TNRCC) to "Texas Commission on Environmental Quality" (TCEQ). This time it needs a real overhaul.
TCEQ's sunset review is now scheduled for this fall and winter, 2010-2011. (During the summer it was moved up from 2012-2013.) The Sunset Commission has sent out a questionnaire which has a deadline of July 16, 2010. In November the commission will issue a report, which will be posted on its website, http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/.
After review of the report, there's a second chance to submit written comment. Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, December 15 and 16, public testimony will be given at the Sunset Commission headquarters in Austin. The general public is invited to give testimony. After that, there's a third opportunity for written comment. Upon review of all the written and verbal comment and testimony, the commission will give its decision on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. No testimony will be given at that hearing, and the decision will be final.
The Sunset Advisory Commission is composed of five members of the legislature who are Democrats, five Republicans, and one "public member" on each side, for a total of 12 members. Their names and party affiliation are listed on the home page.
To receive info and reminders about the upcoming TCEQ Sunset Review by e-mail or mail, simply call the Sunset Advisory Commission at 512.463.1300. Julie is very helpful, and I'm sure others are, too.
The address for written comment is:
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission
Robert E. Johnson Building
PO Box 13066
Austin, TX 78701
After SGVA's experience with TCEQ in regard to the sewer plant permit, members have a lot to say to the Sunset Commission. If you do, too, this is your chance. The next opportunity won't be for 11 more years. Last time TCEQ was evaluated all that happened was that its name was changed. We hope to help effect some constructive changes in TCEQ that will cause it to stop rubberstamping every application that comes across its desk.
Among our ideas are these:
a) Maybe TCEQ is such a dedicated permit mill that it should be abolished and re-created into a fair and efficient machine.
b) Maybe TCEQ's mission statement needs to be changed to eliminate the phrase "consistent with sustainable economic development," which we feel is often diametrically opposed to the protection of the environment.
c) The TCEQ commission members should be elected instead of appointed by the governor. Maybe there should be more than three commission members.
d) Rubberstamping permits should be eliminated.
We're sure you have many good ideas of how to improve TCEQ. If you'd like to share some, please click on the "Contact" page above.