14 Jun Make Pollution History: TCEQ Sunset Review

Make Pollution History!

Join ACT’s 2010-2011 TCEQ Sunset Review campaign to bring stronger environmental protection to the Lone Star State!

The Problem: Texans depend on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to protect our environment and our health. We expect the agency that regulates industrial polluters to keep our air healthy, our water clean and our lands a legacy for future generations. But TCEQ regularly places the interests of business before those of the people of Texas. Don’t Texans deserve an environmental agency they can trust?

The Solution: This year, there’s something we can do to make TCEQ a stronger, more effective environmental agency. TCEQ is currently under review by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission as part of its regular work to make our state government efficient and effective. By participating in the Sunset review, we can advocate for changes in TCEQ programs and policy. We need to tell our lawmakers that Texans deserve an environmental agency that will do a better job of protecting our natural resources, safeguarding our health and standing up for the people of Texas.

The Make Pollution History! campaign will bring Texans together from all over the state to share this critical message with the people who have the power to make the change–our state representatives and senators.

This summer, we’ll start spreading the word about the TCEQ Sunset review and educating our friends and neighbors about this great opportunity for environmental protection in Texas. This fall, we’ll put on events across the state in preparation for the Sunset Advisory Commission public hearing on TCEQ in Austin on December 15th.

Here’s how we’ll share our message with lawmakers.

1. Make Pollution History! Postcard Campaign
   We’ve already started our work on the TCEQ Sunset review with a state-wide postcard campaign. We’ve been taking them to our tables at all sorts of events–Earth Day celebrations, concerts, farmers markets. If you’d like to collect postcards that will tell our legislators that you want a stronger TCEQ, please order your postcard kit. It’s easy and it’s free–we’ll send you the postcards and a stamped envelope.
2. TCEQ Sunset Town Halls and Community Forums
   As organizers ourselves, there’s one thing we know: the best events are put on by people who know the issues, know the lay of the land, and know who needs to come together. In Texas, that’s a pretty tall order. With our 254 counties, diverse regional issues, and 181 legislators, it takes a lot of organizing to reach all the people who are affected by our environmental laws and regulations–and who need our help to make their voices heard. That’s why we’re working with organizations and activists around the state to put on town halls, community meetings and public hearings on

   From El Paso to Nacogdoches, Dallas to Brownsville and everywhere in between, ACT partners are working to make sure Texans have a chance to share their hopes and concerns about TCEQ. Sign up to join one of ACT’s local teams throughout the state.

3. Share Your Story!
   In June, we’ll launch our new ACT website with a forum for sharing your stories. Many of our partner organizations will be collecting stories, video and photos as well. There’s no better illustration for the changes that need to be made than the thousands of stories Texans can tell about pollution, environmental protection and their fight to stand up for our health, our natural resources and the best interests of Texas.