General Information
In accordance with
Section 361.014 
of the Texas Health and Safety Code, grants
are awarded to regional and local governments for municipal solid
waste (MSW) management projects through the state's Regional Solid
Waste Grants Program. The TCEQ is directed by the Legislature to
dedicate one-half of the revenue generated by state fees on MSW
disposed of at landfills to grants for regional and local MSW
projects.
The TCEQ allocates the funds to the state's 24 councils of
governments (COGs) based on a formula that takes into account
population, area, solid waste fee generation, and public health
needs. The COGs use the funds to develop and maintain an
inventory of closed MSW landfills, conduct regional
coordination and planning activities, maintain a regional solid
waste management plan, and administer pass-through grant programs
to provide funding for regional and local MSW projects.
Regional Coordination and Planning
The TCEQ will continue funding for the COGs to maintain a
regional coordination and planning role, in addition to the COGs'
role in administering pass-through funding for local and regional
implementation projects.
The coordination and planning activities include: maintaining
the COG's regional solid waste management plan; maintaining a solid
waste advisory committee; providing technical assistance and
informational programs pertaining to solid waste management;
serving as a central point of contact for solid waste management
outreach, education, and training programs; and reviewing permit
and registration applications for municipal solid waste facilities
for conformance with the adopted regional solid waste management
plan for that region. The COG may also propose additional
coordination activities to support the goals and objectives of
their regional solid waste management plan.
The COGs may conduct additional solid waste management data
collection efforts and analyses to maintain current data and
information concerning the status of municipal solid waste
management activities in the region.
Pass-Through Grant Program
Typically, COGs begin a pass-through grant application process
in the spring of each year. Local governments interested in
applying for funding should start planning early for the next
funding cycle. Specific funding schedules are available through
each COG. The types of projects that may be funded with these
grants may vary from region to region, depending on the priorities
identified in the regional plans. Prior to developing the grant
priorities, each COG is required to hold public meetings to receive
input on the proposed grant categories.
All projects must be consistent with the regional solid waste
management plans prepared by the COGs and approved by the TCEQ.
Also, projects funded with these grants must promote cooperation
between public and private entities and may not be otherwise
readily available or create a competitive advantage over a private
industry that provides recycling or solid waste services.
Who to Contact for Further Information
Local governments interested in receiving more information about
applying for pass-through grant funds within a particular planning
region should contact the COG
representing the county in which the local government is
located or the TCEQ.
Another source of information is the Texas Association of
Regional Councils (TARC). The TARC is the state organization of
Texas' 24 regional councils of governments. With more than 2,000
local government members, the regional councils of governments join
local governments, as well as state, federal, and private partners,
to provide less expensive, better planned, and more accountable
public services in each region of Texas.
Eligible Applicants
Entities eligible for funding under this program include:
- Cities
- Counties
- Public schools and school districts (excluding universities and
other post-secondary educational institutions)
- General and special law districts created in accordance with
state law with the authority and responsibility for water quality
protection or municipal solid waste management, to include river
authorities
- Councils of governments
Private and nonprofit entities are not eligible to receive
pass-through grants from the COGs. However, projects should promote
cooperation between public and private entities. In support of this
goal, recipients of a pass-through grant may contract with private
and nonprofit entities to provide specific grant-funded
services.
Entities required to pay state solid waste disposal fees, whose
fee payments are in arrears, as determined by the TCEQ, are not
eligible to receive pass-through grant funding from a COG.
Eligible Project Categories
These categories are revised prior to each two-year (biennial)
funding period. For the FY 2006/2007 biennium the following project
categories have been established by the state.
All funded projects must fit within one or more of these
categories. Each COG may further define these categories to fit
within the priorities established in the COG's regional solid waste
management plan. Eligible applicants are encouraged to check with
the applicable COG for the specific project categories for that
planning region, as well as for more specific funding limitations
and requirements.
-
Local Enforcement. Projects which contribute to
the prevention of illegal dumping of municipal solid waste,
including liquid waste. These projects may include programs that
investigate illegal dumping problems, educate the public on illegal
dumping laws, and prosecute violators. The cleanup and disposal of
waste found at an illegal site may not be funded.
-
Litter and Illegal Dumping Cleanup. Projects
may include support for Lake and River Cleanup events, conducted in
conjunction with the TCEQ’s and Keep Texas Beautiful Lake and
River Cleanup Program. Funded activities may include: waste
removal; disposal or recycling of removed materials; fencing and
barriers; and signage. Placement of trash collection receptacles in
public areas with chronic littering problems may also be funded.
Reuse or recycling options should be considered for managing the
materials cleaned up under this program, to the extent feasible.
Funds may also be used for periodic community collection events,
held not more frequently than four times per year, to provide for
collection of residential waste materials for which there is not a
readily-available collection alternative, such as large and bulky
items that are not picked up under the regular collection
system.
- Source Reduction and Recycling. Projects which
provide a direct and measurable effect on reducing the amount of
municipal solid waste going into landfills by diverting various
materials from the municipal solid waste stream for reuse or
recycling or by reducing waste generation at the source.
-
Local Solid Waste Management Plans. Projects
funded under this category include activities to develop or amend a
local solid waste management plan and have it adopted by the TCEQ,
in accordance with Subchapter D, Chapter 363, Texas Health and
Safety Code, as implemented by TCEQ rule, 30 TAC Chapter 330,
Subchapter O.
Some restrictions for this category include plan area coverage
and plan development time factors. Entities must coordinate closely
with the appropriate COG when applying for funding under this
category.
-
Citizen's Collection Stations, "Small" Registered
Transfer Stations. This category includes projects to
construct municipal solid waste collection facilities in areas of
the state that are underserved by collection services or do not
have access to proper disposal facilities. Included are projects to
construct a citizen's collection station, as these facilities are
defined under the TCEQ's municipal solid waste regulations, and
certain municipal solid waste transfer stations, not requiring a
permit from the TCEQ. Projects funded under this category may also
include periodic community collection events for materials for
which there is not a readily-available collection alternative, such
as bulky items that are not picked up under the regular collection
system.
-
Household Hazardous Waste Management. Projects
which provide a means for the collection, recycling or reuse,
and/or proper disposal of household hazardous waste are funded
under this category. Grant recipients must coordinate the project
with the TCEQ to ensure that all applicable regulations and
guidelines are followed.
-
Technical Studies. Projects which include the
collection of pertinent data; analysis of issues and needs; and the
evaluation of alternative solutions, public input, and recommended
actions to assist in making solid waste management decisions at the
local level.
-
Educational and Training Projects. Educational
components are encouraged under the other categories in order to
better ensure public participation in the projects. Those
educational components will be funded as part of those projects and
not separately under this category. This category may include
stand-alone educational projects dealing with a variety of solid
waste management topics.
-
Other Types of MSW Projects. The COGs may have
also received authorization from the TCEQ for other project
categories if identified as a priority need in their regional solid
waste management plan.
Supplemental Funding Standards
In addition to the standards set forth in applicable laws and
regulations, additional standards apply to all uses of the grant
funds. Unless authorization is otherwise specified for in or under
the terms of this program, the use of funds provided under this
program including pass-through funds, must be in accordance with
the supplemental funding standards. The COGs have a complete
listing of these additional standards and funding limitations.
