Voluntary Cleanup Program


VCP Mission

The Texas VCP provides administrative, technical, and legal incentives to encourage the cleanup of contaminated sites in Texas. Since all non-responsible parties, including future lenders and landowners, receive protection from liability to the state of Texas for cleanup of sites under the VCP, most of the constraints for completing real estate transactions at those sites are eliminated. As a result, many unused or under used properties may be restored to economically productive or community beneficial use. Also under the VCP, site cleanups follow a streamlined approach to reduce future human and environmental risk to safe levels.

Any site not subject to response actions under Railroad Commission of Texas authority or an order or permit from the TCEQ or where TCEQ enforcement action is pending, is eligible to enter the voluntary cleanup program. Parties entering the VCP must submit an application, an Affected Property Assessment Report describing the contaminated area of concern, and a $1,000 application fee. Upon acceptance of the application, the applicant must sign an agreement that describes a schedule of events necessary to achieve cleanup and confirms that the applicant has agreed to pay all VCP oversight costs. After completion of the cleanup,the parties will receive a certificate of completion from the TCEQ, which states that all non-responsible parties are released from all liability to the state for cleanup of areas covered by the certificate. Parties may terminate their participation in the VCP at any time by written notice.

Please view the The VCP Brochure for further information. If you have any comments or questions or would like any of the forms contained on this web page in Word or WordPerfect, please e-mail us at
vcp@tceq.state.tx.us

Through October 2007 the VCP has received 1,983 applications representing dry cleaners, manufacturing facilities, shopping centers, warehouses, auto-related businesses and other commercial and industrial enterprises. Of these sites, 1,143 have been issued final certificatesof completion and135 have received conditional certificatesof completion.

Legal Authority
VCP Publications and Forms

The following documents are provided in PDF (Help with PDF) and Word;

  • MOA.pdf - Memorandum of Agreement between EPA and TCEQ (PDF)
  • CORE Data Form Instructions.pdf (TCEQ Form No. 10400) Use this form to assist you in completing the CORE Data Form. You MUST fill out this form in order to be accepted into the VCP.
  • CORE Data Form (TCEQ Form No. 10400) Complete this form to maintain Central Registry database information and fulfill VCP application requirements.
  • Instructions and Application Form.doc or PDF (TCEQ-10241 - Revised October, 2007). Complete this form to request assistance and review from VCP staff pursuant to §361.604 of the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act. Please also complete CORE Data Form (TCEQ No. 10400) in order to complete application requirements.
  • Agreement Form.pdf (TCEQ-10242 - Revised September 2003. The agreement form includes the applicable rules, regulations and schedules to be followed.
  • Brownfields Tax Deduction.doc. Use this form for assistance in receiving a Brownfields tax deduction.
  • NEW: Amended Application Form and Instructions.doc Complete this form for any amendments to VCP applications already in the program. Please refer to the Application Instructions on how to complete any amended applications
  • Conditional Certificate of Completion.pdf - updated October 2007 This is an example of the certificate that certifies an applicant has demonstrated that long-term response actions (e.g. engineering controls, remediation systems, or post-closure institutional controls) meet performance standards and are being implemented under requirements established in the Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program.
  • Final Certificate of Completion.pdf - updated October 2007. This is an example of the certificate from the TCEQ that certifies an applicant has implemented or completed all requirements of the Texas Voluntary Cleanup Agreement.
VCP Database

The database contains relevant information on sites in the VCP. This file and the database, vcpdb.zip, can be downloaded as a zipped file. The file is in Microsoft Excel format. For downloading help, link to Compressed Files. The file was last revised November 2008.

If you have any questions about how to download this database or this web page, please contact Diana Christiano at 512-239-5696.


RELATED LINKS:

VCP Guidance

Brownfields Site Assessments Program

Innocent Owner/Operator Program (IOP)

Delinquent Fees and Penalties Will Affect Processing Applications

TRRP Guidance and Forms