With the publication of the Sunset Advisory Commission staff report on the Public Utility Commission (PUC), the PUC sunset review enters its public phase. The Sunset Advisory Commission will hold a public hearing on PUC (and several of the other state agencies under review this year) on May 25th and 26th. The public hearing provides the general public the opportunity to comment specifically on the staff report and to raise other issues not covered in the report. Additionally, the public hearing provides agencies the opportunity to respond to the staff report, at times disagreeing with recommended changes.

The PUC staff report also includes the staff reports on the Office of Public Utility Counsel and Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Taken together, the report provides an overview of most of the issues involved in electric utilities–with the exception of permitting new electric plants which is a TCEQ activity. Several ACT member organizations will comment on the PUC staff report as part of their clean energy advocacy programs and will testify at the public hearing.

The PUC staff report differs from the other staff reports already published in that it raises fewer issues and contains fewer detailed recommendations than most. This difference is explained, however, in the third and final PUC issue:

Consider the Administrative Structure of Utility Regulation
Following Reviews of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The review of PUC identified the need to evaluate the consolidation of PUC programs in some fashion with gas and water utility regulation at the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The decision to consolidate these functions should occur only with identification of clear benefits from improved oversight, realistic cost savings, or more efficient administration. The potential for merger options to meet these criteria could be best determined during this biennium’s Sunset reviews of RRC and TCEQ after the opportunity for a full evaluation

This recommendation illustrates the interrelatedness of the agencies currently under sunset review. Along with the Water Development Board and the Soil Conservation Board, these agencies are responsible for handling our environment, our energy needs, and our water needs. As those of us who are committed to protecting public health and promoting the long range sustainability of our environment know, these agencies play crucial roles in the future of our state. We welcome the opportunity to voice our concerns about current agency practices and to share our recommendations for regulatory actions that the sunset review process provides.

As Earth Day celebrations swing into full-gear, ACT is kicking off its 2010-2011 campaign. In the coming year,  Texans have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to improve the way our state environmental agency carries out its mission to protect our health and natural resources.  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is under Sunset review by Texas lawmakers .  With your support, we can change TCEQ for the better–and make pollution “history” in Texas!

As the coalition of Texas environmental and public interest groups dedicated to improving TCEQ, ACT has big plans for the Sunset review…and we need your help. Earth Day is the perfect moment for you to show your support for a stronger, more accountable TCEQ and to join ACT in our work throughout the state.

Texans expect our environmental agency to protect our health. TCEQ too often falls short of these expectations due to lax enforcement of existing clean air and water laws. The sunset review process offers all concerned Texans a chance to advocate for much-needed reforms at TCEQ.

Here are three simple things you can do this Earth Day to advocate for stronger environmental regulation in Texas:

1. Spread the word about ACT’s TCEQ Sunset campaign. Share this flier in all your Earth Day activities–online and at your local community events. Don’t forget to invite all your friends to join our mailing list, follow ACT on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
2. Collect postcards calling for strong environmental protection in Texas. Tell lawmakers we need a strong TCEQ, and ask your friends to do the same! Order a free “Make Pollution History” postcard kit from ACT.
3. Help organize a town hall meeting. From El Paso to Nacogdoches, Dallas to Brownsville and everywhere in between, ACT partners are working to make sure Texans have a chance to voice their hopes and concerns about TCEQ. Sign up to join one of ACT’s local teams throughout the state.