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TCEQ to review agency enforcement practices
Issue date: 12/9/03 Section: News In Brief
AUSTIN - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will conduct a review of how the agency enforces environmental laws, Executive Director Margaret Hoffman said Monday.
''Enforcement is one of the fundamental jobs of the TCEQ,'' Hoffman said. ''It must deter wrongdoing and ensure that the environment is protected. We need to make sure that we're doing it right.''
The commission will study how the agency uses criteria to decide whether to pursue enforcement; whether the agency's enforcement is consistent across regions and programs; how the agency's implementation of new compliance history requirements is working; and whether the agency's penalty policy helps make sure that people comply.
TCEQ Chairwoman Kathleen Hartnett White said the review will aid the agency is determining what are the most effective means of deterring violations and facilitating compliance with its rules.
The agency will prepare a timeline and detailed plan for the review.
Environmental advocacy groups said they were optimistic about the TCEQ's announcement.
''Texas polluters have been getting off the hook for far too long,'' said Luke Metzger, an advocate for the Texas Public Interest Research Group. ''TCEQ needs to rebuild the public's trust by creating a tough enforcement program that swiftly and strongly punishes environmental scofflaws.''
''Enforcement is one of the fundamental jobs of the TCEQ,'' Hoffman said. ''It must deter wrongdoing and ensure that the environment is protected. We need to make sure that we're doing it right.''
The commission will study how the agency uses criteria to decide whether to pursue enforcement; whether the agency's enforcement is consistent across regions and programs; how the agency's implementation of new compliance history requirements is working; and whether the agency's penalty policy helps make sure that people comply.
TCEQ Chairwoman Kathleen Hartnett White said the review will aid the agency is determining what are the most effective means of deterring violations and facilitating compliance with its rules.
The agency will prepare a timeline and detailed plan for the review.
Environmental advocacy groups said they were optimistic about the TCEQ's announcement.
''Texas polluters have been getting off the hook for far too long,'' said Luke Metzger, an advocate for the Texas Public Interest Research Group. ''TCEQ needs to rebuild the public's trust by creating a tough enforcement program that swiftly and strongly punishes environmental scofflaws.''
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