Issues
ACT organizations around the state work on the broad array of environmental issues facing Texas. ACT convenes policy working groups to analyze issues such as lowering toxic emissions from industrial facilities or developing a program for recycling electronic waste and to make recommendations. ACT makes recommendations when the larger ACT policy group agrees that the issue and recommendations address major state issues.
As a coalition of organizations working for environmental and public health protection in communities throughout the state, ACT knows that there are thousands of specific issues that must be addressed for the well-being of these communities. ACT seeks to address these issues at the regulatory and legislative level, working closely with partner organizations and individual citizens.
2010-2011 Issues
TCEQ Sunset Review
The 2010-2011 Sunset review of the TCEQ is the primary focus of ACT’s issue analysis and policy development in preparation for the 82nd Texas Legislature. The TCEQ Sunset policy working group will publish ACT’s recommendations in June 2010. The initial review focuses on three primary areas: air permitting, enforcement, and public participation and accountability.
Other Environmental and Energy Agency Sunset Review
The 2010-2011 Sunset review cycle includes the review of the major environmental and energy agencies in the state. ACT organizations have worked on recommendations on the Public Utility Commission (PUC), the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) and ERCOT. In its report on those agencies to the Sunset Advisory Commission, Sunset staff recommended that these agencies, as well as the Texas Railroad Commission, be considered in conjunction with the TCEQ. The ACT policy group will develop and publish recommendations about these agencies before the public hearing on TCEQ in December 2010.
EPA Review of TCEQ Air Permitting Program
Over the past several years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been in communication with the TCEQ over concerns regarding its air permitting program. Letters between the two agencies, documenting their communication, are available here.
Previous Legislative Recommendations
ACT makes legislative recommendations at the beginning of the legislative session to aid legislators as they work to better protect Texans’ health and environment. ACT convenes policy working groups to analyze issues and make policy recommendations. ACT publishes and distributes these legislative recommendations so that all Texans have access to the recommendations of the state’s leading environmental policy experts.
2009 Legislative Issues & Recommendations
In 2009, ACT made recommendations on renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean air, electronic waste recycling and transportation to the 81st Texas Legislature.
Issue & Recommendation Archives
ACT legislative recommendations to the 77th, 78th and 79th Texas Legislatures. (ACT did not make formal recommendations to the 80th Legislature.)
