By Cyrus Reed
In what has turned out to be an unequivocal disaster of a legislative session for the environment and individual rights, good legislation may yet pass into law. By an overwhelming majority, the Texas House of Representatives approved HB 14 by Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria), which would extend the programs that form part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) through 2023.
In addition, the bill also makes certain changes to existing incentives while also clarifying certain programs, adding three counties where equipment is eligible for the incentives as well as adding a new program designed to clean up oil and gas emissions.
The Texas Legislature established TERP in 2001 to create incentives to clean up emissions, mainly from mobile sources such as large diesel trucks, by retrofit or purchase of new cleaner vehicles. Since 2001, TERP has been an important part of Texas plan to lower hazardous ozone levels in major metropolitan areas, thus helping Texas comply with EPA standards and improving public health.
During the discussion of the bill, Morrison’s office worked with the Sierra Club and many other stakeholders to make additional improvements to the bill, which were added through an amendment.
HB 14 highlights
- Extends statewide rebates for most TERP programs, including rebates for passenger electric and natural gas vehicles through 2023
- Combines two natural gas vehicle programs to simplify the programs
- Allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to provide forms and applications on-line
- Adds three new counties to the list of counties where equipment is eligible for incentives (Bell, McLennan, Webb)
- Creates a new technology program for incentives for oil and gas facilities located in affected areas to reduce emissions by capturing flared and vented gases and reducing emissions from other equipment such as compressor engines or pneumatic devices
With EPA scheduled to improve the ozone standard, more cities in Texas will need to clean up their air, and HB 14 provides the flexibility and time for Texas to lower emissions from vehicles and other sources of air pollution.
We thank Rep. Morrison for carrying this important legislation and call on the Senate to pass it.
While passing HB 14 is important, we also call on the House and Senate to fully fund the TERP program. With some $450 million being generated over the next two years through dedicated fees, the present budget being discussed only appropriates about half of those funds for TERP. There is still time for the House and Senate to appropriate full TERP funding and also pass this important legislation.