In addition, there were two petroleum storage tank enforcement default and shutdown orders.

Penalties were also assessed in one petroleum storage tank case, following a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

On January 25, the Executive Director approved 40 agreed orders, each $7,500 or less, totaling $74,626.

Information on today’s agenda items is available for viewing.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for February 22. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ website. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available at TexasAdMin.com.

In the summer of 2011 the TCEQ responded to priority calls in the San Saba River Basin by notifying junior water-right holders with a priority date of 1900 or later that their right to divert was suspended. The TCEQ is no longer enforcing the priority call, and water-right holders can store and divert water again according to the terms of their permits.

The TCEQ continues to monitor the situation closely and strives to balance protection of senior and superior surface water rights while attempting to minimize the impact to junior water-right holders, within TCEQ’s authority. Please note that should another priority call be made or should drought conditions persist or worsen, suspensions of junior water rights may again be necessary.

These actions are guided by the priority doctrine in Texas law. The most senior water rights are served first during times of drought with domestic and livestock uses superior to any appropriated rights. Water rights are suspended or curtailed by priority date, with the most recently issued – or “junior” – priority users suspended before senior water rights in the area.

Drought conditions continue to be widespread across the state. The TCEQ has asked that all San Saba River Basin water right-holders take steps to conserve water, implement their drought contingency plans, and prepare for additional suspensions or curtailments should drought conditions persist. 

Water is a precious resource – all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought. 

In the spring and summer of 2011 the TCEQ responded to a senior priority call in the Brazos River Basin by notifying junior water-right holders with a priority date of 1960 or later that their right to divert was suspended. The senior priority call has now been rescinded, and water right holders can divert water again.

The TCEQ continues to monitor the situation closely and strives to balance protection of senior and superior surface water rights while attempting to minimize the impact to junior water right holders, within TCEQ’s authority. Please note that should another priority call be made or should drought conditions persist or worsen, suspensions of junior water rights may again be necessary.

These actions are guided by the priority doctrine in Texas law. The most senior water rights are served first during times of drought with domestic and livestock uses superior to any appropriated rights. Water rights are suspended or curtailed by priority date, with the most recently issued—or “junior”—priority users suspended before senior water rights in the area.

Drought conditions continue to be widespread across the state. The TCEQ has asked that all Brazos River water-right holders take steps to conserve water, implement their drought contingency plans, and prepare for additional suspensions or curtailments should drought conditions persist.

Water is a precious resource—all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought.

In November 2011 the TCEQ responded to a senior priority call in the Neches River Basin by notifying junior water-right holders with a priority date of Aug. 13, 1913 or later that their right to divert was suspended. The senior priority call has now been amended, and many of the previously suspended water right holders can divert water again. While conditions are better, some non-municipal junior water rights, term, and temporary water-right permits in the Neches River Basin are still suspended.

In order to protect public health and welfare, water rights with municipal uses or for power generation have not been suspended. Land owners with property adjacent to watercourses in the Neches River Basin may also continue to divert water for domestic and livestock use as part of their inherent riparian rights.

These actions are guided by the priority doctrine in Texas law. The most senior water rights are served first during times of drought with domestic and livestock uses superior to any appropriated rights. Water rights are suspended or curtailed by priority date, with the most recently issued – or “junior” – priority users suspended before senior water rights in the area.

Drought conditions continue to be widespread across the state. The TCEQ has asked that all Neches River water-right holders take steps to conserve water, implement their drought contingency plans, and prepare for additional suspensions or curtailments should drought conditions persist.

Water is a precious resource – all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: six air quality, one industrial hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, five municipal waste discharge, three public water system, and one water quality.

In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: one multimedia, two municipal solid waste, four petroleum storage tank, two public water system, and one water quality. One petroleum storage tank default and shutdown order was also issued.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for February 8. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ website.  The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available.

The TCEQ Clean Transportation Triangle grants are part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, and are offered to eligible entities that intend to build natural gas fueling stations along the interstate highways connecting Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth.  These fueling stations must be located no more than three miles from the interstate highways and must be made available to the public.

CTT program goals include ensuring that natural gas vehicles purchased, leased or otherwise commercially financed, or re-powered under the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program have access to fuel; and building the foundation for a self-sustaining market for natural gas vehicles in Texas.

Grants are offered to eligible applicants, with preference to be given to stations providing both liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas at a single location; and stations located not more than one mile for an interstate highway system.

The TCEQ will conduct a grant application workshop to review CTT grant requirements and application procedures for potential applicants.  The workshop will be held Feb. 9, 2012, 1:30 p.m. at TCEQ headquarters, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Building E, Room 201S, Austin, Texas 78753.

Application deadline is April 16, 2012, 5:00 p.m., CST.

For additional up-to-date information on the grant application process, eligibility requirements, and copies of the application form for the Clean Transportation Triangle, visit the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan website, or call 800-919-TERP (8377).

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories:
12 air quality, one Edwards Aquifer, two industrial waste discharge, one multimedia, one municipal solid waste, four municipal waste discharge, six petroleum storage tank, five public water system, and two water quality.

In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: one licensed irrigator, one municipal waste discharge, one petroleum storage tank, four public water system, and one sludge.

Penalties were assessed in the following categories following hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings: one municipal solid waste and one petroleum storage tank.

Included in the total are fines of $145,211 against Diamond Shamrock Refining Company, L.P., in Moore County, for air quality violations stemming from an investigation on February 7, 2011. Of that total, $58,084 will be used by Texas PTA to retrofit or replace older, diesel school buses.

Also included in the total are fines of $103,800 against Micro Dirt, Inc. d.b.a. Texas Organic Recovery, in Travis County, for violations stemming from unauthorized composting of grease trap waste in July and August, 2008. Fines were assessed following a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ website. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available.

In response, the executive director of the TCEQ notified certain Sabine River Basin junior water-right holders that their right to divert water is immediately suspended. Suspended water rights include those with a priority date of Jan. 2, 1903 or later, term, and temporary water-right permits in the Sabine River Basin. 

In order to protect public health and welfare, water rights with municipal uses or for power generation have not been suspended. Land owners with property adjacent to watercourses in the Sabine River Basin may also continue to divert water for domestic and livestock use as part of their inherent riparian rights. 

These actions are guided by the priority doctrine in Texas law. The most senior water rights are served first during times of drought with domestic and livestock uses superior to any appropriated rights. Water rights are suspended or curtailed by priority date, with the most recently issued – or “junior” – priority users suspended before senior water rights in the area.

The TCEQ has asked that all Sabine River water-right holders take steps to conserve water, implement their drought contingency plans, and prepare for additional suspensions or curtailments should drought conditions persist. 

Water is a precious resource – all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought. 

See more Texas drought information.

There were five field citations.

In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories:  Two industrial or hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, one irrigation licensing, one multimedia, three municipal solid waste, one municipal waste discharge, one on-site sewage facility installer, one on-site sewage facility authorization, seven petroleum storage tank, four public water system, and one utilities.

Penalties were also assessed in one public water system case, following a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Included in the total was a fine of $132,302 against Meadowland Utility Corporation, Brazoria County, for municipal waste discharge violations, noted over a five year period. 

Information on today’s agenda items is available for viewing.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Jan. 11. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ website. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available at TexasAdMin.com.

In response, the executive director of the TCEQ notified certain Neches River Basin junior water-right holders that their right to divert water is immediately suspended. Suspended water rights include those with a priority date of Aug. 13, 1913 or later, term, and temporary water-right permits in the Neches River Basin. 

In order to protect public health and welfare, water rights with municipal uses or for power generation have not been suspended. Land owners with property adjacent to watercourses in the Neches River Basin may also continue to divert water for domestic and livestock use as part of their inherent riparian rights. 

These actions are guided by the priority doctrine in Texas law. The most senior water rights are served first during times of drought with domestic and livestock uses superior to any appropriated rights. Water rights are suspended or curtailed by priority date, with the most recently issued—or “junior”—priority users suspended before senior water rights in the area.

The TCEQ has asked that all Neches River water-right holders take steps to conserve water, implement their drought contingency plans, and prepare for additional suspensions or curtailments should drought conditions persist. 

Water is a precious resource—all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought. 

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m., at the TCEQ headquarters, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Room 201S, Building E, Austin. The meeting will also be made available for live viewing through TexasAdMin.

Participants will be offered an opportunity to address their questions and comments directly to staff.  Viewers who would like to submit questions and comments during the live webcast may do so, via e-mail to pen_rule@tceq.texas.gov.  Post meeting written comments and questions will be accepted until Jan. 6, 2012, at the same e-mail address.

Section 4.09 of HB 2694 (TCEQ Sunset Bill), 82nd Regular Session, directs the TCEQ to adopt a general policy that describes the commission’s approach to enforcement.  Staff proposals were presented to commissioners at the July 5, 2011 work session and the Nov. 2, 2011, agenda meeting.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: one agriculture, nine air quality, one Edwards Aquifer, three field citations, one industrial hazardous waste, two industrial waste discharge, one multimedia, four municipal solid waste, eight municipal waste discharge, 18 petroleum storage tank, eight public water system, one utilities, one wastewater operator and one water quality.

In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: one multimedia, three petroleum storage tank, and one public water system. Two additional petroleum storage tank cases were default and shutdown.

Included in the total are fines of $233,835 against The Premcor Refining Group Inc., Diamond Shamrock Refining Company, L.P., and Valero Refining-Texas, L.P. in Jefferson, Moore, Harris, Nueces, and Galveston counties for air quality and water quality violations stemming from investigations in February-July, 2010. Of the total, $68,054 will be used to fund projects, including the Spring Creek Greenway Project in Harris or Montgomery counties, the Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s Auto Check program, and equipment for ambient air monitoring stations in Jefferson County.

Also included in the total are fines against Rohm & Haas Texas, Inc. for violations stemming from malfunctioning equipment and reporting violations in February and March of this year. A portion of the penalty totaling $62,202 will be used by the Houston-Galveston area’s Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles program to replace old diesel buses with cleaner buses.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ website. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available at TexasAdMin.com.

On July 5, non-municipal junior water rights holders, with water rights dating from 1950 and later, were suspended in the Llano watershed. This action was taken because of a priority call by a senior water rights holder. Since the priority call has been rescinded, water rights holders can resume diversions if they have not already met the limits of their permit. Should drought conditions continue to persist, suspensions or restrictions of junior water rights may again be necessary.

Public water systems should continue to implement drought contingency plans appropriately to conserve water and should urge their customers to take appropriate action to reduce water use.

Individuals can take action to conserve water:

• water your lawn no more than twice a week and only during early morning hours 
• use a drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers 
• wash full loads of dishes or laundry
• cut back on washing your vehicle
• replace old plumbing with water-saving fixtures
• consider installing a cistern to catch rainwater for future use
• plant native plants (that require less water)

Water is a precious resource—all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought.  See more Texas drought information.

Both TCEQ commissioners are from Brownsville and draw on personal experiences in the area to assist Valley leaders. Commissioner Rubinstein will welcome participants in opening remarks.  Commissioner Garcia will serve as the summit’s keynote speaker during the luncheon.

Breakout sessions will cover environmental topics, such as city ordinances, scrap tires, plastic bags, recycling, and energy and water conservation.

The summit is free and open to the public; however, registration is required.

The summit gives residents, local and state leaders, businesses, students and all interested parties an opportunity to discuss long-term solutions to environmental challenges unique to this rapidly growing part of our state.

 “I am pleased that the TCEQ is hosting this summit in Central Texas,” says TCEQ Commissioner Carlos Rubinstein. “Similar programs elsewhere in the state have been successful in identifying concerns and coming up with local solutions and I anticipate cooperation and collaboration here since this area has such a good track record for involvement.” 

Rubinstein and Robert R. Puente, J.D., president/CEO of San Antonio Water System will serve as keynote speakers to kick off the event. Local elected officials will hold town hall meetings to discuss environmental issues of interest to their constituents including: Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, District 26; Rep. Joaquin Castro, District 125; Rep. John V. Garza, District 117; Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, District 116; Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, District 120; Rep. Jose Menendez, District 124; and Rep. Doug Miller, District 73. These meetings will give legislators a chance to hear from constituents about ways to collaborate to find answers that work. Participants can also view exhibits from various state and local agencies.

The summit is free and open to the public; however, registration  is required.