David A. Ramirez Area Director for Border and Permian Basin Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Border to Border Transportation Conference November 13-15, 2012

Preview of Presentation  Overview of the TCEQ  Air Quality  Transportation  Hazardous Spills/Responses  Border Initiative

Mission of the TCEQ The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality strives to protect our state's human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. Our goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.

TCEQ Commissioners Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., Chairman 4 Carlos Rubinstein, Commissioner Toby Baker, Commissioner

Funding of the TCEQ

16 Regional Offices

Overview: Roles of the TCEQ  Rulemaking as directed by legislature and EPA  Permitting activities affecting the environment  Monitoring ambient and incident conditions of air and water quality  Investigations -- scheduled or resulting from complaints  Enforcement until compliance is achieved  Emergency response to spills, releases, disasters

Air Quality  Monitoring Network  CO and O3 Attainment in El Paso  PM10 Nonattainment in El Paso  Tools to address VOC concerns

Air Quality Sites  XX monitors in border counties

Enter photo Canister Sampler - Collects samples for the analysis of more than 80 volatile organic compounds (right) Continuous Air Monitoring Station with monitors for ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, PM10, and PM2.5 (left)

Air Quality in El Paso El Paso’s Nonattainment and Attainment for Ozone and Carbon Monoxide (CO)  In 1990, El Paso County was designated in nonattainment of the one- hour ozone NAAQS of 0.12 ppm with attainment scheduled by November 15, On April 15, 2004, the El Paso area was designated attainment for the 1997 eight-hour ozone standard.  In 1990, a portion of El Paso was designated moderate nonattainment for CO. On Aug. 4, 2008, the EPA approved Texas’ request for redesignation to attainment and a maintenance plan for CO in the El Paso area.

Air Quality in El Paso El Paso nonattainment Particulate Matter (PM10)  El Paso PM 10 Moderate Nonattainment Area (1990 to Present)  The TCEQ developed a natural-events action plan (NEAP)

Regulated Transportation Services and Assistance Program  Transporters  Clean School Bus Program

Regulated Transportation Services and Assistance Program  Hazardous Waste  Medical Waste  Sludge  Scrap Tires  Used Oil Key to Investigations Manifest

Clean School Bus Program

The Texas Clean School Bus program awards grants to Texas school districts and charter schools for the purchase and installation of technology to reduce diesel emissions and onboard exposure of schoolchildren and bus drivers to the emissions.  State Wide  $20.2 million dollars have be awarded  6,787 Buses Retrofitted in 181 School Districts  Along the Border:  $3,501, Awarded to Counties on the Border  624 Buses Retrofitted in 20 School Districts

Clean School Bus Program  Brownsville ISD (Cameron County)  $1,738, Reimbursed with 129 Buses Retrofitted  Carrizo Springs ISD (Dimmit County)  $180, Reimbursed with 22 Buses Retrofitted  Socorro ISD (El Paso County)  $199, Reimbursed with 10 Buses Retrofitted  Idea Public Schools (Hidalgo County)  $319, Reimbursed with 35 Buses Retrofitted

Hazardous Spills/Response Which State Agency has Jurisdiction? Depends on what is spilled and where  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality  General Land Office  Texas Railroad Commission  Texas Department of State Health Services  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department  Texas Department of Public Safety  Governor’s Division of Emergency Management

Hazardous Spills/Response  Accidents  Floods  Fires

Hazardous Spills

The TCEQ’s Border Initiative

Thank you David A. Ramirez TCEQ