TCEQ History

History of the TCEQ and its predecessor agencies.

The history of natural resource protection by the State of Texas is one of gradual evolution from protecting the right of access to natural resources (principally surface water) to a broader role in protecting public health and conserving natural resources for future generations of Texans.

Natural resource programs were established in Texas at the turn of the 20th century, motivated initially by concerns over the management of water resources and water rights. In parallel with developments in the rest of the nation, and at the federal level, state natural resource efforts broadened at mid-century to include the protection of air and water resources, and later to the regulation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation.

During the 1990s, the Texas Legislature moved to make natural resource protection more efficient by consolidating programs. This trend culminated in the creation of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission in the fall of 1993 as a comprehensive environmental protection agency. Sunset legislation passed by the Texas Legislature in 2001 continued the agency until 2013 and changed its name to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. During the special session of the 81st Legislature (2009), legislation was adopted amending the 2013 date to 2011.

Time Line

1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s |

The following time line reflects the highlights of state laws, federal laws, and agency initiatives that have affected the scope of agency operations. Federal items of importance are in bold.

1905

The legislature authorizes the creation of the first drainage districts.

1913

The Irrigation Act creates the Texas Board of Water Engineers to establish procedures for determining surface water rights.

1914

The Texas Board of Water Engineers publishes their first rules and regulations.

1917

A constitutional amendment authorizes the creation of conservation and reclamation districts as needed.

1919

The legislature creates freshwater supply districts.

1925

The legislature organizes water control and improvement districts.

1929

The legislature creates the first river authority (Brazos River Authority).

1945

Legislation authorizes the Texas Department of Health to enforce drinking water standards for public water-supply systems.

1949

Legislation declares that groundwater is private property.
The legislature creates underground water conservation districts.

1952

The department conducts the first air study in Texas.

1953

The legislature creates the Texas Water Pollution Control Advisory Council in the Department of Health as the first state body charged with dealing with pollution-related issues.

1956

The U.S. Congress passes the Water Pollution Control Act.
Texas’ first air-quality initiative is established when the state Department of Health begins air sampling.

1957

The Legislature creates the Texas Water Development Board to forecast water-supply needs and provide funding for water-supply and conservation projects.

1959

Congress passes the Atomic Energy Act.

1961

The Texas Pollution Control Act establishes the Texas Water Pollution Board, and eliminates the Water Pollution Advisory Council, creating the state's first true pollution-control agency.
A water well drillers advisory group is established.
The Injection Well Act is passed, authorizing the Texas Board of Water Engineers to regulate waste disposal (other than that from the oil and gas industry) into the subsurface through injection wells.

1962

The Texas Board of Water Engineers becomes the Texas Water Commission, with additional responsibilities for water conservation and pollution control.
The Texas Water Pollution Board adopts its first rules and regulations.

1963

Congress enacts the Federal Clean Air Act.

1965

Congress passes the Federal Water Resources Planning Act.
The Texas Clean Air Act establishes the Texas Air Control Board in the Department of Health to monitor and regulate air pollution in the state.
The Texas Water Commission becomes the Texas Water Rights Commission and functions not related to water rights are transferred to the Texas Water Development Board.
The Water Well Drillers Act establishes the Water Well Drillers Board.

1966

The first Texas Air Control Board members are appointed.

1967

The Texas Water Quality Act establishes the Texas Water Quality Board, assuming all functions of the Water Pollution Control Board. The TWQB adopts its first rules.
The Texas Air Control Board adopts its first air-quality regulations.

1969

Texas takes over most federal air-monitoring responsibilities.
The Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act authorizes the Texas Water Quality Board to regulate industrial solid waste, and the Texas Department of Health to regulate municipal solid waste.
A presidential order creates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

1970

The federal Clean Air Act is amended, requiring states to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs).

1971

The EPA adopts National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The legislature first authorizes municipal utility districts.
The Texas Air Control Board establishes an air permits program.

1972

Congress passes the Federal Clean Water Act.
The Texas Air Control Board submits the first State Implementation Plan to the EPA. It also deploys the first continuous air monitoring station.

1973

The Legislature removes the Texas Air Control Board from the Department of Health, making it an independent state agency.

1974

Texas et al. vs. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency challenges the EPA’s plan for controlling ozone in Texas.
The Texas Air Control Board completes deployment of first continuous-monitoring network.
Congress passes the Safe Drinking Water Act.

1975

Texas Air Control Board proposes Texas’ Five-Point Plan amendment to the Federal Clean Air Act.

1976 (-1979)

Congress passes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to govern the disposal of all types of solid and hazardous wastes.

1977

Federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act are amended.
The Legislature creates the Texas Department of Water Resources (TDWR) by combining the three existing water agencies. A six-member board is set up as a policymaking body for the new agency. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is retained as the legislative and policy-making body. The Water Rights Commission is renamed the Texas Water Commission and sits as a quasi-judicial body that rules on permits. The Water Quality Board is abolished.

1978

The EPA establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead.

1979

The Texas Air Control Board submits revisions of the State Implementation Plan to the EPA.

1980

Congress passes the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), better known as the Superfund bill, to provide funding for the cleanup of contaminated sites.
Congress passes the Federal Low Level Radioactive Waste Act
The Texas Air Control Board submits plan to address lead pollution to the EPA.

1981

The legislature creates the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority, with responsibility for siting, operating, and decommissioning a disposal facility for commercial low-level radioactive waste.

1982

The Texas Air Control Board submits a Harris County ozone plan to the EPA. It also reorganizes its monitoring network and relocates continuous air-monitoring stations.
Texas receives primary Underground Injection Control (UIC) authorization from the EPA.

1984

Congress passes the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act RCRA.
Texas receives final RCRA authorization.

1985

Congress passes amendments to the 1980 Federal Low Level Radioactive Waste Act.
The legislature dissolves the Department of Water Resources and transfers regulatory enforcement to the recreated Texas Water Commission, and planning and finance responsibilities to the recreated Water Development Board.
The legislature moves the Water Rates and Utilities Services Program from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to the newly created Texas Water Commission.
The Texas Air Control Board mobile sampling laboratory is first deployed.

1986

Congress passes the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), re-authorizes CERCLA, and creates the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).
Congress amends the Safe Drinking Water Act.

1987

Congress passes the Water Quality Act of 1987.
Texas establishes an EPA-approved state wellhead-protection program.

1989

The legislature expands and funds the Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Program.
The Texas Radiation Control Act authorizes the Texas Department of Health to license the disposal of radioactive waste.

1990

Congress adopts the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990.
Congress passes the Oil Pollution Act.
Texas Water Commission receives initial federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) authorization.

1991

The Texas Air Control Board is expanded to implement the 1990 Amendments to the federal Clean Air Act.
The legislature, in special session, creates the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, to be effective Sept.1, 1993. Preparation begins for the consolidation of the Texas Water Commission and the Texas Air Control Board into the TNRCC.

1992

Texas Water Commission acquires responsibility for drinking water, municipal solid waste, and the licensing of radioactive substances from the Texas Department of Health.
The Water Well Drillers Board and the Board of Irrigators are merged into the the Texas Water Commission.

1993

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission begins operation, bringing together for the first time regulatory programs for air, water, and waste.
The legislature adopts HB 1920, which establishes the Tax Relief for Pollution Control Equipment Program to be administered by the TNRCC

1995

The EPA establishes the Environmental Performance Partnership Grant (PPG) program. The PPG provides federal funds to states to administer environmental programs such as Section 106 Surface Water, Section 105 Air, Public Drinking Water, Section 319 Non-point Source and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

1996

Congress adopts the federal Safe Drinking Water Act re-authorization.

1997

The legislature transfers regulation of water well-drillers from the TNRCC to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The legislature returns uranium mining, processing, and by-product disposal oversight to the Texas Department of Health.
The TNRCC concludes a Performance Partnership Agreement with the EPA, allowing limited flexibility in federally funded program organization and funding. The aim of the agreement is to allocate resources most appropriately throughout Texas on a regional basis.
The legislature adopts Senate Bill 1, mandating water conservation planning for large water users and requiring development of drought contingency plans by public water suppliers.

1998

The EPA delegates to Texas the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, becoming the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) administered by the TNRCC.

1999

The legislature transfers the functions of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority to the TNRCC.
The legislature adopts HB 801, which modifies the permitting process for permits administered by the agency for which public notice and opportunity for a hearing are required. The legislation requires early public notice, encourages early public involvement, and requires substantive public comment and agency response. This legislation establishes criteria that would limit the scope of hearings by requiring referral of discrete issues that are in dispute and material to the decision of the commission. This process applies to permits issued by the agency under Chapters 26 and 27 of the Texas Water Code and Chapters 361 and 382 of the Health and Safety Code.

2001

The agency is continued for 12 years under HB 2912, which includes a provision to change the TNRCC's name to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by Jan. 1, 2004.
The legislature transfers responsibility for environmental laboratory accreditation, and certification of residential water treatment specialists from the Texas Department of Health to the TNRCC.
The Texas Environmental Health Institute is created by joint agreement between the TNRCC and the Texas Department of Health to identify health conditions related to living near a federal or state Superfund site.
The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) is established by the legislature to be administered by the TNRCC, the comptroller, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and the Texas Council on Environmental Technology.

2002

The agency formally changes its name on September 1 from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

2003

Under HB 1365, the legislature provides a stable funding source for TERP program activities under the TCEQ and ends funding for TERP-related programs under the comptroller and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
The legislature establishes a dry cleaning regulation and remediation program at the TCEQ with the passage of HB 1366.
Through HB 1567, the legislature provides for the licensing of a facility for disposing of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) and establishes procedures for the TCEQ to accept and assess license applications from businesses to dispose of LLRW.
In the third called session, the legislature transfers the technology research and development program within the TERP from the Texas Council on Environmental Technology to the TCEQ.
The TCEQ implements the Permit Time-Frame Reduction Project, designed to shorten the time it takes to review major uncontested permits.

2004

The TCEQ initiates the Environmental Monitoring and Response System (EMRS), designed to improve the agency's ability to measure environmental conditions in real time, notify the public of potential threats, and respond quickly and proactively.

2005

The TCEQ undertakes comprehensive review and overhaul of the state’s municipal solid waste regulations.
TCEQ personnel are directed by the commissioners to begin a comprehensive review, including extensive public involvement, of the agency’s enforcement process.
The legislature authorizes the Clean School Bus Program with passage of HB 3469.

2006

The TCEQ reviews the extensive public comments on the agency’s enforcement process. The commissioners adopt a number of significant revisions to the process, including a pilot field-citation program, which began on March 13.
On March 1, the TCEQ adopts major revision, streamlining, and improvement of state regulations on municipal solid waste.

2007

The legislature passes SB 1604, which transfers regulatory authority from the Department of State Health Services (formerly the Texas Department of Health) to the TCEQ for commercial radioactive-waste processing, uranium mining, and by-product disposal.
SB 1604 also addresses the process for TCEQ review of a pending application submitted to DSHS for a by-product disposal facility proposed for Andrews County.
In addition, SB 1604 addresses the TCEQ’s underground injection-control program for regulation of in situ uranium mining and requires the TCEQ to administer a new state fee for the disposal of radioactive wastes other than low-level radioactive waste.
SB 1436 transfers the responsibility for the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) from the TCEQ to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
Passage of SB 12 extends the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan through August 2013. It also expands the uses of TERP funds, including use by the Clean School Bus program.
SB 12 also amends the Low Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP) to enhance its availability and increase grant amounts for the purchase of new vehicles.
The legislature extends the reimbursement program for leaking underground storage tanks from 2008 to 2012 and requires insurance companies to notify the TCEQ if the owner of a petroleum storage tank has cancelled or failed to renew insurance coverage.
The legislature passes HB 2714 that requires computer manufacturers to establish recycling programs for computers of their own brand.
The legislature passes SB 3 and HB 3 and HB 4, which amend various sections of the Texas Water Code and set out a new regulatory approach for ensuring surface water to meet the environmental flow needs of river, bay, and estuary systems.
The legislature grants property owners the right to register and participate in the Dry Cleaner Remediation Fund and imposes additional fees and restrictions on the use of perchloroethylene.
HB 3732 establishes incentives such as property tax exemptions and expedited permit processing for the use of clean coal, biomass, petroleum coke, solid waste, or new liquid fuel technology in generating electricity.
The TCEQ adopts the Texas BART (Best Available Retrofit Technology) rule, requiring emission controls for certain industrial facilities emitting air pollutants that contribute to regional haze.
The Rio Grande Watermaster announces the receipt of more than 224,000 acre feet of water from Mexico at the Amistad reservoir near Del Rio, effectively eliminating Mexico's water debt to the United States.
On Dec. 18, the governor submits to the EPA his recommendation that all areas of Texas meet the revised the 24-hour standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

2008

In early 2008, the TCEQ upgrades its electronic permitting system (ePermits) for submissions of applications for the storm water general permit. After the program upgrade, usage rose from 22 percent to 53 percent.
The TCEQ responds to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and participating in a massive recovery effort.
On March 12, the EPA revises the 1997 eight-hour ozone NAAQ of 0.08 parts per million by lowering the standard to 0.075 ppm.
On May 20, the EPA proposes to lower the NAAQ standard for lead from the current 1.5 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of ambient air.
As required by the Federal Clean Air Act, the governor of each state provides to EPA the list of areas that the state believes are not meeting the federal ozone standard. To assist the governor in providing that list, the commission makes recommendations to the governor in December on what areas in Texas did not meet the revised ozone standard.

2009

In March, the governor submits to EPA the list of areas in Texas that do not meet the 0.075 ppm eight-hour ozone standard.
HB 1796 extends TERP through 2019 and establishes the New Technology Implementation Program within TERP.
SB 1759 establishes the Texas Clean Fleet Program within TERP.
SB 361 requires water and sewer service providers to submit emergency preparedness plans to demonstrate their ability to provide emergency operations.
HB 3547 gives additional enforcement authority to the TCEQ if an owner or operator of a dry-cleaning facility or drop station does not properly register as required under Texas statutes.