Business owner battles TCEQ over compliance confusion

In a recent government meeting, a small business owner expressed frustrations regarding compliance issues with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The owner, who operates a sole proprietorship with seven employees, detailed challenges stemming from a citation received in 2017, which he attributed to miscommunication and incorrect correspondence addresses from TCEQ.

The business relocated in 2017, leading to complications in maintaining accurate records with the TCEQ. The owner highlighted that the agency had mistakenly associated his business with an LLC, despite it never having been one. This misclassification has complicated compliance efforts and hindered effective communication with the TCEQ. To address these issues, the owner has engaged Weissoon Engineering to assist in resolving ongoing compliance matters.

During the meeting, TCEQ staff acknowledged the concerns raised and discussed the importance of ensuring accurate records to facilitate smoother interactions between the agency and businesses. They confirmed that the case was developed based on information from the regional office and the secretary of state’s database, which indicated the existence of an LLC. However, the staff expressed confidence in proceeding with the current order, given that the business had complied with previous violations and paid the associated penalties.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision by the commissioners to adopt the enforcement orders as presented, indicating a commitment to resolving compliance issues while supporting local businesses.