AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Environmental groups are upset that that Texas House is proposing an end to keeping histories of a company’s compliance with state and federal laws.
Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Baytown Rep. Wayne Smith’s bill on Wednesday. The measure would change how the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality keeps track of how well company’s comply with environmental regulations.
The Texas League of Conservation Voters say under current law, it is easy for residents to examine the history of potentially dangerous companies, such as the fertilizer plant in West, Texas that exploded last month. The group says the new proposal would limit the public’s access to a company’s record.
Smith would limit the records kept by TCEQ to only five years, which he says would be a better program.