In 2023, the Texas State Legislature approved Senate Bill 1397 and House Bill 1505, which require that “A person who holds a temporary permit or permit with an indefinite term shall report to the commission annually whether the activity subject to the permit is ongoing” and that the person “shall first report to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality the status of the permitted activity not later than December 31, 2024”. The Texas Water Code has been amended to include this requirement in Sec. 5.587.
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Which Permits are Subject to the New Requirement?
Despite its name, the Texas Water Code applies to air, water and waste programs that fall within Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) jurisdiction. The TCEQ Air Permits Division has announced that registered Permits by Rule (PBRs), Standard Exemptions and certain Air Quality Standard Permits are subject to the statutory reporting requirement.
How Do I Comply?
Subject air permits must be registered through the State of Texas Environmental Electronic Reporting System (STEERS) by December 31, 2024 and annually thereafter.
TRC Can Help
If you are uncertain if your permits are subject to the new reporting requirements, need assistance navigating STEERS, or have other environmental permitting needs, TRC’s Regulatory Compliance Specialists in Texas and across the country who can help.
