Votes at a glance: TCEQ actions on permits, enforcement and SIP revisions, March 13, 2025

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality took a series of formal actions at its March 13, 2025 meeting. The commission recorded motions and unanimous or voice votes on contested-case referrals, permit actions, enforcement orders, appointments, and state implementation plan revisions. The list below summarizes each motion, the outcome recorded at the meeting, and relevant procedural notes.

Votes at a glance

- Item 3 — Oasis of Texas LP (TPDES permit WQ0016436001): The commission granted a contested-case hearing request filed by Robert Miller and referred the matter to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for a contested case on two issues: (1) whether the proposed discharge route is properly characterized in the application and will function properly; and (2) whether the discharge will protect water quality in accordance with Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (30 TAC Chapter 307). The commission also directed the matter to the agency’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program and set a 180-day hearing duration from the preliminary hearing to issuance of a proposal for decision. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Item 4 — City of Corpus Christi (TPDES permit WQ00005289000, Inner Harbor Desalination): The commission denied multiple hearing requests and requests for reconsideration, adopted the Executive Director’s response to comments, and issued the draft permit as recommended by the Executive Director. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Item 1 — Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC (air quality permits 105710 and PSDTX1306M1, voluntary GHG update GHGPSDTX123M1): The commission adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s proposed order with minor clerical edits (including corrections to the SOAH docket and PSD permit numbers), adopted the Executive Director’s response to comments, and issued the draft permit as modified. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Item 2 — Megatel Homes LLC (new TPDES permit 0016162001): The commission adopted the ALJ’s proposed order (with applicant exceptions incorporated), found the application complied with the agency regionalization policy after evaluating the record, adopted the Executive Director’s draft permit, and issued the draft permit. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Items 7–9 and 11–22 — Enforcement docket: The commission adopted the Executive Director’s recommended orders for the enforcement items presented (total assessed administrative penalties of $276,046 with $54,057 deferred; $90,050 applied toward supplemental environmental projects; $131,939 to general revenue). The enforcement orders were adopted except for item 10 which had been remanded by the Executive Director on March 11. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Item 5 — Renewal with amendments of general permit TXG670000 (hydrostatic test water): The commission adopted the renewed and amended general permit. Staff noted no public comments were received during the comment period. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Item 6 — Galveston Bay Council appointments: The commission approved a resolution to fill 27 of 41 membership positions on the Galveston Bay Council with staggered four-year terms as recommended by the Executive Director. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Items 24–28 — State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions: The commission adopted SIP revisions for the Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston–Galveston–Brazoria, and Bexar County moderate nonattainment areas related to the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS (attainment demonstration and reasonable further progress provisions). The Executive Director and staff described stakeholder engagement and EPA review; the Office of Public Interest Counsel supported adoption. Motion passed by voice vote.

Procedural and public-comment notes

Several items generated public comment or appearances by elected officials. For example, Item 4 drew remarks from Railroad Commissioner Wright, Representative Denise Villalobos and a reading of a letter from Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa supporting timely approval. The meeting also included multiple public-comment speakers on general matters. The commission held a closed session on posted items; no action was taken in closed session.

This roundup reflects the motions and outcomes recorded on the administrative meeting record; specific permit documents, draft orders, and the Executive Director’s responses remain part of the official administrative records for each matter and contain the detailed permit conditions and legal findings.