Marked Agenda
Commissioners' Work Session
Thursday, March 5, 1998
9:00 a.m.
Room 201S, Building E, Park 35, Austin

NEW BUSINESS

This meeting is a work session for discussion between commissioners and staff. No public testimony or comment will be accepted except by invitation of the commission.

  1. Consideration of a concept paper and direction to staff on a voluntary emissions reduction plan for the permitting of existing significant sources as required by House Bill 3019. Jeff Saitas, David Schanbacher, and Terri Seales (Office of Air Quality) presented this item. The following items were to be proposed for comment, and do not represent a final course of action for the commission. The commission has directed staff to make the concept paper and list of options available to the public on the agency’s web page.

  2. Consideration of the Final Report of Findings by TechLaw, Inc. as required by contract to conduct a Business Process Review Study of the agency’s permitting, planning and compliance processes. John Steib (Office of Air Quality) and Molly O’Neill (TechLaw, Inc.) presented this item. No action was taken.

  3. Docket No. 98-0197-SIP. Consideration for the removal from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State Implementation Plan (SIP) approval process the Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (AVR, or Vehicle Scrappage) program (30 TAC Chapter §114.200), which was submitted to the EPA under a Governor's letter, dated October 31, 1994, but which to date have not been approved by EPA and incorporated into the SIP. Hazel Barbour (Mobile Source Division) and Bill Jordan (Air Policy Division) presented this item. Commissioner Marquez moved to approve the staff recommendation. Commissioner Baker seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

  4. Docket No. 98-0198-RUL. Consideration for publication of and hearing upon the proposed repeal of 30 TAC Chapter §114.200, concerning Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (AVR, or Vehicle Scrappage). The proposed repeal will increase the flexibility of local areas to design and implement their own AVR program. Hazel Barbour (Mobile Source Division) and Bill Jordan (Air Policy Division) presented this item. Commissioner Marquez moved to approve publication of the proposed regulation revisions. Commissioner Baker seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. The commission directed staff to have the preamble reflect the commission’s endorsement of scrappage and to encourage local development.

  5. Consideration of issues relating to the upcoming meeting of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS). No briefing or action was taken.

  6. Consideration of the agency's implementation of legislation enacted by the 75th Texas Legislature including the agency's efforts to work with the Interim Legislative Committees. The commission may also meet in closed meeting to receive legal advice regarding these matters, or any of the above matters, as authorized by Section 551.071 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. Any commission action, decision, or vote on these matters will be made in open meeting in accordance with Section 551.102 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. David Duncan and John Hofmann presented information for this item. No action was taken.

  7. Planning for the next Commissioners’ Work Session. The next Commissioners’ Work Session is tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 23, 1998, in E-201S, at 1:30 p.m. It will include the following issues: Municipal Solid Waste Policy Issues, Enforcement Report, and Legislative Update including Senate Bill 932 repeal of provisions established by Senate Bill 1704, 74th Texas Legislature which froze certain agency rules upon filing of a permit application. The commission also directed staff to add two items to the agenda for the April 9, 1998 meeting: A briefing on the Strategic Planning Public Meetings and consideration of potential comments on EPA’s proposed Environmental Justice Rules. Consideration of the rules regarding the Beneficial Uses of Biosolids (CAFOs/ Sludge) will be scheduled at a later date.