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Public commenters and OPIC push TCEQ to recognize schools, hospitals and churches as "affected persons" in concrete batch-plant permits
Summary
The Office of Public Interest Counsel presented its 2025 annual report Nov. 5 to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality while parents, school groups, faith leaders and physicians urged the agency and legislature to expand affected-person status so schools, hospitals and churches can seek contested-case hearings on nearby concrete batch-plant permits.
The Office of Public Interest Counsel presented its 2025 annual report to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Nov. 5, and dozens of public commenters urged the agency and lawmakers to broaden who qualifies as an "affected person" in contested-case hearings on concrete batch-plant permits.
Garrett Arthur of OPIC said the written report, prepared under Texas Water Code section 5.2725, evaluates the office—s performance and budget needs and offers legislative or regulatory recommendations. "The written report before you is intended to satisfy this statutory requirement for fiscal year 2025," Arthur said.
A steady stream of commenters told commissioners that current rules leave vulnerable institutions with limited ability to seek contested-case hearings when potential sources of airborne emissions open near schools,…
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