Program Overview
Low-income and minority communities often believe that they are
burdened with a disproportionate share of environmental risks.
Hostilities can develop between these communities and the
industries or facilities involved, making good-faith efforts to
resolve disputes, address concerns, and seek solutions ineffective.
The TCEQ's Environmental Equity Program was established in 1993 to
help counter this trend by improving communication between
government, local communities, and neighboring industries.
The goals of the Environmental Equity Program are to:
- Help citizens and neighborhood groups participate in regulatory
processes;
- Serve as the agency contact to address allegations of
environmental injustice;
- Serve as a link for communications between the community,
industries, and the government.
- Thoroughly consider all citizens' concerns and handle them
fairly.
Authorizing Actions and
Agreements
Since the TCEQ receives federal funding, it must adhere to Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in
all federally assisted programs. Title VI §2000D states that:
No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color,
or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
The regulations of Title VI apply not only to intentional
discrimination but also to policies and practices that have a
discriminatory effect. 42 U.S.C. §2000d-1 states that: A
recipient shall not use criteria or methods of administering its
program which has the effect of subjecting individuals to
discrimination because of race, color, national origin, or sex, or
have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing
accomplishment of the objectives of the program with respect to
individuals of a particular race, color, national origin, or
sex.
In the spirit of compliance with this regulation, federal
programs are evaluating their policies to ensure the elimination of
practices that may be neutral on their face but discriminatory in
their effect.
The United States
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Office of Civil Rights
(OCR) 
is charged with enforcing Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964. In carrying out these duties, OCR
processes Title VI complaints filed with the EPA, including those
with environmental justice concerns.
Executive Order 12898
On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order
12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations," to focus federal
attention on the environmental and human health conditions in
minority communities and low-income communities. The executive
order directs federal agencies to develop, by March 24, 1995, an
environmental justice strategy that identifies and addresses
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income populations. This strategy was published
by the EPA in April 1995. Because many of the TCEQ's programs are
driven by EPA grant funding, including the Environmental Equity
program, the strategy developed by the EPA will affect TCEQ
activities relative to environmental equity.
Individuals may raise environmental equity (also known as
environmental justice) concerns with TCEQ staff through a toll-free
number, 1-800-687-4040, or at the following
address and phone and fax numbers:
Environmental Equity (MC-108)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
512/239-4000
512/239-4007 (fax)
opa@tceq.state.tx.us
