Environmental Resources

Overview

The Environmental Resources section of the Division administers grants and resources as they relate to air quality and solid waste management.

The Air Quality Program works to keep southeast Texas elected officials and citizens informed of the importance of clean air issues through air quality data and educational programs. With funding from area industries, the Division operates an air monitoring network made up of numerous air monitoring stations located throughout Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties. With real-time data from those sites, the agency maintains a comprehensive database that provides information on the air quality of the region. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), through a data marketing agreement with SETRPC, utilizes the real-time data to help forecast Ozone Action Days and to develop air quality plans for southeast Texas.

The Division coordinates the Ozone Action Day Program, which educates and encourages individuals, industry, small business, and local governments to work together to reduce ozone-creating emissions. Throughout the ozone season, the Division runs the Ozone Notification Network, which notifies participants via fax or e-mail of called Ozone Action Days.

SETRPC receives funding for its Solid Waste Program through a biennial contract with the TCEQ. The purpose of the solid waste program is to promote coordination among local governments, the private sector, and the general public in activities associated with the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste within the region. The Division maintains a Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, which promotes coordination among local governments, the private sector and the public in activities associated with the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste within the region.

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (HHW) enables participants to dispose of home-generated products such as paints, paint thinners, solvents pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, automotive wastes, cleaning agents, swimming pool chemicals, photographic materials, batteries, mercury-containing items and fluorescent bulbs.