President's Message
TCC and ACIT Set Key Meetings for 2008
TCEQ Postpones Compliance History Amendments
Applications Distributed for 2008 "Caring for Texas" Awards Program
Dates Set for Popular Teacher-Training Program on Chemical Industry
Environmental Groups File Petition with EPA
Legislative Leadership Awards Bestowed on Three Texas Lawmakers
Texas Senate Gets Interim Study Charges
Webb, Murray & Associates a Star in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs
Turning 50, BASF gives $1M for New Process Technology Center
Changes in Leadership at Shell Deer Park
Jeff Bonorden Named Vice Chair of TCC's Occupational Safety Committee
Board Members Sought for VPPPA

TCC/ACIT President's Message - The Importance of Being Earnestly Engaged

In the highly competitive and breakneck world of manufacturing, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of our jobs. Trying to get it all done or even started, we become convinced that there's no room for anything else in our professional lives - and that's when we get short-sighted. By opening up your working world to external activities where you meet and work with industry peers, you actually help your career, because of the education and efficiencies you get from others in similar positions.

Within the Texas Chemical Industry, there's no better way to build peer-level connections than working on a committee of the Texas Chemical Council. Like Medieval merchants who traded in foreign lands and returned home with the amazing ideas they encountered, you can benefit from contact with peer professionals from other companies, who probably have wrestled with the same issues you're facing -- and who may have solutions you haven't yet discovered.

Phil Cuevas, PSM Coordinator at Chevron Phillips, puts it this way: "There is a personal value to serving on a TCC committee. You can share your experiences with others in your field, and you can tap into a great network. The benefits of the experience are immeasurable - and so are the ideas you bring back to your company."

In many ways, interacting with other pros on a committee is like having your own college of advisers. Plus, you can do great things for the industry, which will come back around and help you still more.

There are many great opportunities to expand your involvement in TCC and ACIT, furthering your career and helping your company. Please contact any of our staff members (listed on our website at www.txchemcouncil.org) to find an opportunity that matches your interest.

TCC and ACIT Set Key Meetings for 2008

From environmental, health and safety lectures to training teachers in the importance of our industry, with opportunities to recognize outstanding performers and learn about the economy, members of the Texas Chemical Council (TCC) and Association of Chemical Industry of Texas (ACIT) have an impressive lineup of meetings and events to consider in 2008. Following are some of the key gatherings that you may want to put on your calendar:

February - March
Feb. 27 - ACIT/ABC Luncheon, Freeport, with State Rep. Dennis Bonnen as guest speaker

April - June
April 2- ACIT Mid Coast Economic Outlook Breakfast, location pending
April 3 - ACIT HSC Spring Golf Outing - Wild Cat Golf Course
June 9-12: EHS Seminar, Moody Gardens, Galveston
June 12: TCC/ACIT Awards Banquet - Moody Gardens, Galveston

July- September
July 13-25: Science Teachers and Industry, University of Houston
Aug. 28 - ACIT Golden Triangle Regional Dinner, location pending

October-December
Oct. 1 -ACIT Mid Coast Breakfast, location pending
Oct. 16 - TCC/ACIT Annual Meeting, Houston
Dec. 3 - ACIT Golden Triangle Economic Outlook Lunch

TCEQ Postpones Compliance History Amendments

Proposed amendments to the state's compliance history rule (30 TAC §§ 60.1-60.3) have been postponed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), after key questions were raised by TCC and two allied groups, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) and the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TxOGA).

As written, the amendments would have:

• Made changes to the compliance history components and the formula;
• Redefined "repeat violator"
• Changed the average by default classification;
• Added a requirement that prior to a sale of a regulated entity, the current owner must provide compliance history information to the prospective buyer, and the buyer also must seek out compliance history information;
• Added language that allows a regulated entity access to its compliance history information prior to publication on the agency's Web site;
• Revised the appeal of classification language to allow all average performers the opportunity to appeal.

TCC, TAB, and TxOGA spent several weeks working the TCEQ staff to express their concerns about the amendments. While the proposed rules had many positive aspects, we were apprehensive that the amendments did not go far enough to address TCC members' concerns regarding double counting of components for determining compliance history and escalating penalties, adequately defining and ascertaining the "complexity" of a site, and narrowly defining the terms "repeat violator" and "major violation."

At TCEQ's January 16 agenda meeting, Commissioners unanimously agreed to postpone further discussion on the proposed compliance history rule until they also could consider proposed amendments to the Penalty Policy, which had been scheduled for the Commission's Feb. 29 work session. The resulting hiatus will allow TCC, TAB and TxOGA to further work with TCEQ staff and the Commissioners on both the compliance history amendments and the agency's proposed changes to the Penalty Policy. More information is available from Mike McMullen at (512) 646-6404 or mmcmullen@txchemcouncil.org.

Applications Distributed for 2008 "Caring for Texas" Awards Program

Application packets for participating in this year's Caring for Texas Awards are being distributed to facility managers throughout the state as TCC ramps up one of its most important programs of the year. Launched by TCC in 1998, Caring for Texas is designed to promote continuous improvement in community awareness, emergency response, pollution prevention and security by TCC member companies. This program recognizes TCC member facilities that achieved exemplary results and demonstrated commitment to their employees and community during the prior year. Winners for 2007 will receive their awards at the TCC/ACIT Awards Banquet June 12 at Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston, on the final day of the TCC/ACIT EHS Seminar.

The program covers plants in four size categories based on number of employees (1-60, 61-200, 201-500, and more than 500). The application requires only a minor time commitment, taking only a few hours to complete. If you did not get an application for your qualified facility and would like to receive one, contact Dan McGowan, mcgowan@txchemcouncil.org.

Dates Set for Popular Teacher-Training Program on Chemical Industry

The perennially popular training course for public educators, "Science Teachers and Industry (STI) Learning about Chemicals and the Environment," will take place July 13-25 at the University of Houston. Held in cooperation with TCC and ACIT, this course will offer real-world instruction to science teachers of grades 5-12 on the technology behind the Texas chemical industry.

The program is led by Dr. Eugene Chiappetta, who has taught at the University for more than 30 years. An expert in methods and materials for teaching science in middle and secondary schools, Dr. Chiappetta emphasizes the chemical industry's concern for, and impact on, the health and safety of its workers, neighboring communities, and the environment.

During the 11-day program, teachers become students again for six hours a day, hearing from academic, government, and industry experts on a full range of environmental issues. They also participate in a broad spectrum of educational exercises, complete assignments, engage in a panel discussion, and tour chemical plants and waste disposal sites.

TCC started the program in 1990 as an opportunity for Texas educators to gain the knowledge enabling them to give their students a better understanding of the state chemical industry, and a balanced view on environmental issues. (ACIT has been involved with the program since 1994.) The program is supported with contributions to the Texas Science Education Foundation (TSEF). For more information, please visit our website, www.txchemcouncil.org.

Environmental Groups File Petition with EPA

On January 17, 2008, Environmental Defense and the Sierra Club filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging various aspects of the State of Texas air permitting program, which has been delegated by EPA to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The groups are alleging that the State is failing to implement the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program in a manner that is consistent with the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) and the federal Clean Air Act (CAA). Specifically, they petition the EPA for the following:

• Find that TCEQ has violated CAA Section 113(a)(5), 42 U.S.C. § 7413(a)(5), by failing to comply with the SIP and to prohibit the construction or modification of any major stationary source in Texas;
• Impose highway sanctions on the State under CAA Section 179(b), 42 U.S.C. § 7509(b), for TCEQ's failure to comply with the SIP;
• Find that TCEQ is failing to adhere to the SIP by not using the correct definition of Best Available Control Technology (BACT), as approved by EPA, in issuing PSD permits;
• Find that TCEQ is failing to consult properly with federal land managers in issuing PSD permits;
• Find that TCEQ, in issuing PSD permits, is failing to require applicants to properly analyze the impacts the proposed facility will have on ambient air quality for each pollutant the facility will emit in significant amounts; and
• Find that TCEQ is failing to adequately enforce the terms of PSD permits once they are issued.

In the petition, the environmental groups primarily tie their complaints to the TCEQ's issuance of permits for coal-fired power plants. However, the implications of a petition of this nature are far-reaching to the chemical industry and other industries that are also regulated by the TCEQ's air permitting program. Accordingly, TCC will be closely monitoring this petition for any developments. If you have any questions, please contact Christina Wisdom, TCC General Counsel, at (512)646-6403 or wisdom@txchemcouncil.org.

Legislative Leadership Awards Bestowed on Three Texas Lawmakers

TCC awarded its 2007 Legislative Leadership Award to three prominent lawmakers for their outstanding leadership during the 80th Texas Legislative Session. They are:

Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton). Rep. Bonnen has been a strong advocate for promoting policy that balances both the state's economic and environmental interests. He was first elected to the Texas Legislature in 1996 and is now in his sixth term.

As Chairman of the House Environmental Regulations Committee, he has the tremendous responsibility of overseeing both state environmental issues and implementation of the Federal Clean Air Act in Texas. Nationally, he is a leader on environmental issues through his service as a member of the Executive Committee of the Energy Council, an international organization comprised of oil producing states and countries, and the Environmental Task Force of The Council of State Governments. He also represents the State of Texas on air and water quality issues as a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

During the 80th Legislative Session, Rep. Bonnen co-sponsored SB 12, the omnibus air quality legislation that primarily addressed the continual reduction of mobile source emissions through the furtherance of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) and the Low Income Vehicle Repair, Retrofit, Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP). The bill provided for the continued necessary focus on mobile source emissions reductions and alleviated unwarranted political pressure to require industry to make additional nitrogen oxide (NOx) reductions in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria region. The bill also included a provision that clarified that violations discovered under the federal Title V program that are reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and do not require formal enforcement, shall not be included in a proposed enforcement action unless they are repeat violations from the same root cause or have not been corrected within the timeframe specified by the TCEQ. Rep. Bonnen also passed HB 2714, the "Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Computer Equipment Collection and Recovery Act," which created a recycling program for electronic waste based on individual manufacturer responsibility and shared responsibility among consumers, retailers, and the government of this state.

In Brazoria County, Rep. Bonnen serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement and the Advisory Board for Youth & Family Counseling. He is an active supporter of many community programs, including the youth events at the Brazoria County Fair, BACH, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. He is a charter member of the Angleton Exchange Club, SFA 500 and Brazoria Heritage Foundation and on the board of the Varner-Hogg Guardians. He belongs to the Levi Jordan Plantation Historical Society and is a lifetime member of the 100 Club of Brazoria County.

Representative Wayne Smith (R-Baytown). As Chairman of the House County Affairs Committee, Rep. Smith has been a loyal and dedicated champion for the Texas chemical industry since he was elected to the Texas Legislature in 2002. Throughout his tenure, Rep. Smith has tackled very important issues, such as TCEQ's use of compliance history and the way it impacts the chemical industry, with relentless tenacity.

During the 80th Legislative Session, he sponsored and passed one of the most pro-environmental bills of the session, HB 1526, which directs the TCEQ to establish a level regulatory playing field for TCEQ's and industry's use of the new infrared camera technology to detect emissions. He also passed HB 3011, which created a Ship Channel Security District that is a public-private partnership to help improve security within the Houston Ship Channel area by assisting with the costs associated with the operations and maintenance of security infrastructure. Finally, in response to the City of Houston's attempts to regulate air quality, Rep. Smith co-sponsored legislation with Senator Mike Jackson that would have prevented a municipality from regulating air emissions permitted by the TCEQ outside the city boundary or in a manner that is inconsistent with permits issued by the TCEQ.

Prior to becoming a State Representative, Rep. Smith was president of Wayne Smith and Associates, Inc. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer, a registered Public Land Surveyor and remains active in professional activities. He was Construction Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Harris Country - Houston Sports Authority and a Director of Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority and the Coastal Water Authority before becoming an elected representative. Rep. Smith also served the U.S. Army in the Republic of Vietnam.

Senator Mike Jackson (R-La Porte): As a member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, Senator Jackson has also been a loyal defender of the Texas chemical industry since he was elected to the Texas Senate in 1998.

Among his primary accomplishments of the 80th Legislative Session, Senator Jackson sponsored SB 1317, which would have prevented a municipality to regulate air emissions permitted by the TCEQ outside the city boundary or in a manner that is inconsistent with permits issued by the TCEQ. He filed the bill in response to the City of Houston's attempts to regulate air quality outside its city limits and successfully passed the bill through the Senate despite the only attempted filibuster of the session in the Senate. Senator Jackson also co-sponsored with Rep. Smith the Ship Channel Security District legislation.

First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1988, Senator Jackson is a five-term veteran from the House. During his tenure in the House, he served as Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Environmental Regulation and as a member of the House Committees on Land and Resource Management, Energy Resources, Business and Industry, Liquor Regulation, and Historical and Cultural Resources. A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Jackson attended Louisiana Tech and Louisiana State Universities. He is the president of Force Corporation, his family's La Porte-based industrial construction and maintenance company, and is a 30-year veteran of the construction industry.

Texas Senate Gets Interim Study Charges

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has issued the Senate Interim Charges for 2008. Interim charges are items to be specifically studied by the legislative committees in preparation for the upcoming legislative session, which will convene in January 2009. During the upcoming year, each House and Senate committees will meet, hear testimony on the issues they were charged to study, and write a report based on its findings related to each charge. TCC will be actively engaged in this process throughout 2008. Of the 20 Senate Committees and Subcommittees that received charges, we have identified the following Senate interim charges as having a potential impact on TCC member companies.

Business & Commerce Committee

• Study the current governance structure of electric cooperatives. Make recommendations for any legislative changes required to adequately protect customers, increase reliability, and respond to consumer complaints.
• Study the current investment in generation and transmission in the Texas electricity market with emphasis on ensuring there will be sufficient generation and cost-effective transmission to meet Texas' growing demand for electricity. Review and make recommendations relating to adoption of smart-metering programs, and the anticipated cost savings to consumers. Analyze options for cost-effective alternative energy production, including solar and biomass electricity generation. Study and make recommendations on options for encouraging residential and small commercial consumers to switch electric products or providers. Review efforts at the federal level to implement legislation or rules that could impact the Texas electricity market.
• Study current industry practice and regulation associated with the siting of wind turbines. Compare the wind turbine siting process to processes associated with other forms of electric generation and the siting of facilities in other industries. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of additional siting regulation for wind turbines.
• Study the advantages and disadvantages of developing a building code specific to coastal properties in order to mitigate hurricane damage. Focus on avoiding catastrophic losses of property during a major storm. Specifically, consider Florida's building code, which applies to the designation of Enhanced Hurricane Protection Areas (EHPAs) that meet specific criteria to provide shelter and protection for up to eight hours following a catastrophic event.
• Examine statutory changes needed to maintain affordable and available homeowner's insurance and industry reinsurance following a natural disaster in Texas. Estimate the potential impact on the Texas insurance market.

Education Committee

• Review the access and quality of career and technical education programs in the state and make recommendations to improve these programs to address the economic and workforce needs of this state.
• Review current property tax rates at school districts. Explore what mechanisms may exist to prevent any future constitutional funding challenges. Review any funding issues that are particular to certain types of school districts, such as fast growth districts. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
• Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Education Committee, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the implementation of HB 2237, relating to grants and programs for dropout prevention, high school success and college and workforce readiness in public schools. Include a review of the revised methodology the Texas Education Agency uses to calculate the dropout rate. Report on the implementation of education reforms in House Bill 1, 79th Third Called Special Session. The review should include: the implementation of the high school allotment, the development of the best practices clearinghouse and the electronic student records system, the alignment of curriculum to attain college readiness, student improvement/growth models and access to college credit in high school. The committee should also study and make recommendations on how to continue strengthening the P-16 Initiative to promote college attendance in this state.

Subcommittee on Higher Education

• Examine different methodologies for assessing the quality of degree and certificate programs at higher education institutions and for measuring student learning outcomes. Review current institutional performance standards and make recommendations that promote academic and financial accountability. Review the method for measuring graduation rates to determine whether alternative measures are more appropriately suited for institutions with a large percentage of non-traditional students.
• Identify potential future economic trends and workforce needs, including those created by additional nuclear generation facilities, and identify strategies to help meet these needs.

Finance Committee

• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing state tax incentives that encourage employers to provide health coverage to their employees, including tax incentives under the revised state business tax, and make recommendations for additional deductions or credits that increase the number of employees covered by health care insurance.
• Review current property tax rates at school districts. Explore what mechanisms may exist to prevent any future constitutional funding challenges. Review any funding issues that are particular to certain types of school districts, such as fast growth districts. (Joint charge with Senate Education Committee)
• Monitor and provide a brief update on the implementation of legislation addressed by the Finance Committee, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve or enhance and complete implementation:
• HB 3732 relating to ultra-clean coal technologies, and determine the amount of property tax removed from the tax rolls, as well as the corresponding impact on school finance. Identify any changes needed to strengthen the program and ensure its success.

Subcommittee on Property Appraisal and Revenue Caps

• Review the property tax appraisal system, including the following:
• the duties and responsibilities of chief appraisers and appraisal districts;
• any abuses that occur in the appraisal process;
• the process of appointing the members of boards of directors of appraisal districts;
• the impact of adding members to the boards of directors of appraisal districts who are not appointed by the taxing jurisdictions of the district and methods for appointing these additional directors;
• the usefulness of information provided in a notice of appraised value;
• the impact of HB 1010, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to appraisal districts crossing county lines;
• any benefit from requiring more uniformity in appraisal standards used by appraisal districts;
• any revisions to the property valuation appeal system that could reduce the cost of dispute resolution;
• the likelihood of, and any associated benefit from, increased compliance with the existing business personal property rendition law if chief appraisers are given limited audit authority.
• Study the benefits and limitations of property tax appraisal caps compared to a limit on revenue a local jurisdiction can receive without the approval of the voters in the locality. Consider alternative sources of funding to replace property tax revenues.
• Study the cost and benefit to the state of projects approved by school districts limiting the value of business investment under the Texas Economic Development Act (Ch 313, Tax Code), and the funding impact on public schools.
• Review the practice of school districts approving budgets contingent on the passage of a rate-rollback election.

Government Organization Committee

• Study the function, structure, funding and operations of the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Identify opportunities to maximize the impact and further the mission of SECO, and support SECO's role in achieving energy efficiency reporting requirements and targets established through legislation.
• Study whether Texas should adopt high performance building standards. In light of the potential impact of Texas' population growth on the need for electricity and water, study whether high performance buildings can cost-effectively lower utility costs and make more efficient use of natural resources.

Health & Human Services Committee

• Study the changes in statute contained in SB 10, 80th Legislature, as well as the state's current prevention and wellness efforts and chronic care management efforts, and identify opportunities for improvement in state policies and programs. Examine options for expanding and optimizing the state's current investment in wellness programs and management tools for individuals with chronic care conditions, including options that address childhood asthma. Review partnerships with the private sector that specifically address the following:
• tobacco cessation, including the evaluation of a statewide smoking ban in public places;
• reducing obesity;
• availability and effectiveness of childhood and adult vaccines, including public education programs to promote the use of vaccines; and
• more effective management of chronic care conditions.

Intergovernmental Relations Committee

• Study the shifting geographic nature of low-income neighborhoods in urban and suburban areas, focusing on factors that contribute to economic displacement of low income homeowners and factors that contribute to beneficial redevelopment of distressed neighborhoods.

Jurisprudence Committee

• Study administrative and legal procedures used by municipalities to exert regulatory authority beyond city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction. Determine whether conflicts exist with agencies' regulatory authority and regulatory authority delegated to home-rule municipalities, and make recommendations for appropriate delegation and clarification of respective authorities.

Natural Resources Committee

• Study the safety of major dams, levees, and other flood control structures across Texas, and determine the appropriate responsible agency (Texas Commissioner on Environmental Quality [TCEQ], Texas Water Development Board [TWDB] or the Governor's Office of Homeland Security) and the level of authority and funding needed to inventory, assess, repair or replace those with impairments. Develop liability and control standards for flood control structures and make recommendations to properly and safely manage these assets in the future.
• Review Texas' current air emissions inventory and evaluate the need for additional data to enhance or improve the inventory. Review current federal, state and local incentive programs related to emissions reductions and recommend improvements.
• Study and assess the use of advanced control technologies for the reduction of point source pollution emissions, including, but not limited to:
• Identifying state-of-the-art pollution control technologies;
• Identifying facilities which could benefit from state-of-the-art control technologies;
• Identifying mechanisms for implementing state-of-the-art controls in Texas;
• Reviewing the ability of the TCEQ to regulate the use of pollution control technologies, including possible legislative options to grant, improve, or mandate TCEQ actions to implement state-of-the-art control technologies; and
• Investigating the use of different approaches or methods in regulating emissions based on geographical/regional locations around the state.
• Assess the environmental impact of new electric generation sources and technologies. Collect and evaluate data related to use and conservation of water used in the production of energy. Examine the need to include electric generation facility water needs in regional water plans.
• Inventory and analyze bodies of water with high salinity. Explore new technologies and approaches to reduce salinity in the state's surface and groundwaters. Examine the need for state action to address salinity levels in surface waters of the state. Include an assessment of the following:
• brackish desalinization projects, including brine disposal options;
• permitting of brackish water by groundwater districts;
• value and potential uses for brackish water; and
• imposition of export fees for brackish as opposed to potable water.
• Monitor the implementation of House Bill 1763, 79th Legislative Session, including progress by Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) on joint planning within Groundwater Management Areas (GMA) and collaboration with entities within a GMA in joint planning including areas not covered by a GCD. Study the impact of HB 1763 on the following:
• GCD creation within areas not covered by a GCD;
• single or partial county GCDs;
• consolidation with existing GCDs, and within priority groundwater management areas.
• Investigate issues related to groundwater use in areas of the state without a Texas Water Development Board defined aquifer, such as the Barnett Shale. Evaluate the impact of permitting the increase of the cap on export fees by GCDs.
• Review all state-created river authorities, including the powers exercised by each authority and the advisability of subjecting these authorities to legislative review. Consider options for ensuring adequate protection of public assets, improving transparency of operations, enhancing appropriate access to financial and management records, and authorizing audits by the State Auditor's office.
• Study and assess issues concerning mercury and arsenic emissions, including, but not limited to:
• identifying the sources of mercury and arsenic pollution in air and water;
• investigating the status of drinking water, reservoir, river, estuary, and fish and wildlife mercury and arsenic monitoring programs in Texas;
• investigating the implementation by TCEQ of the Federal Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) on power plants in Texas;
• studying the potential costs and benefits of including all coal/lignite burning sources in Texas, not just power plants, into the State's CAMR program; and
• determining the legislative and regulatory mechanisms and advisability of including all coal/lignite burning sources into the State's CAMR program.
• Study the need for regional water quality standards, particularly in the Edwards and Barton Springs recharge zones.
• Monitor the progress of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) Recovery Implementation Plan to determine, after reviewing reports to the Legislature and with input from the EAA Oversight Committee, any changes in legislation needed to implement the plan.
• Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Natural Resources Committee, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, focus on SB 3, relating to water; SB 12, relating to air quality; and the transfer of historic properties from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Texas Historical Commission.

Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Coastal Resources

• Study the economic development impact, benefits and costs of the Fuel Ethanol and Biodiesel Incentive Program. Analyze and make recommendations regarding the following areas of interest:
• state cost versus economic benefit, including any impact on the price of feed for livestock and food for human consumption;
• the program as compared to other state and federal incentives;
• any federal legislative or administrative changes relating to the program; and
• options to encourage research and new technologies and market based incentives and competitive feedstock issues including feedstock development.
• Study the impact of funding increases and their effectiveness for the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Program and provide options for possible future funding sources.

State Affairs Committee

• Study the economic impact of recent civil justice reform legislation in Texas.
• Study whether Texas should adopt the Restatement 2nd of Torts Sec. 674 (Wrongful use of Civil Proceedings) and whether a person should be allowed to recover court and attorneys fees when he has been forced to defend a lawsuit filed without probable cause or for intimidation purposes.
• Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system, and the continued implementation of the reforms of HB 7, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies. Specifically evaluate the recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court in Entergy v. Summers in terms of its impact and the impact of previous legislation on the workers' compensation system.

Transportation & Homeland Security Committee

• Examine the roles and best practices among individuals, state and local governments, hospitals and other health care providers, and the insurance industry for disaster planning and first response efforts. Explore what changes are needed to better prepare for natural disasters to mitigate claims and losses. Include an assessment of the state's implementation of recent recommendations for evacuations, including movement of medically fragile populations. Study the level of preparedness among critical infrastructure entities in both the public and private sector, the effectiveness of state disaster relief policies relating to this infrastructure and the sufficiency of personnel needed to restore this infrastructure. Assess the state's preparedness to handle a public health emergency. Examine the challenges of interoperability of communications technologies to improve coordination of different plans across jurisdictions.
• Study and review state and local options for expanding transportation funding and explore options to reduce diversions of Fund 6 revenue.(Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)

Senate Select Committee on Economic Development

• Inventory economic development programs and incentives, including tax abatements, offered by state and local governments. Review the costs and benefits of Texas' economic development tools, including the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Texas Emerging Technologies Fund, and make recommendations for improvements. Review similar incentive programs in other states and the potential impact on Texas' competitive advantage in attracting and keeping strong businesses. Analyze regional economic development trends and opportunities and identify option for maximizing economic development with region-specific incentives.
• Review the costs and benefits of using the Texas Enterprise Zone Program as an economic development tool for local communities to partner with the State of Texas to promote job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas of the state.
• Study the current state of the nanotechnology industry in Texas. Analyze the impact of the industry on economic development. Review federal and state regulations regarding the development, use, and disposal of materials and waste products related to nanotechnology. Make recommendations for ensuring that Texas is a competitor in the nanotechnology industry and for ensuring the safety of the public as this industry grows.

Webb, Murray & Associates Becomes a Star in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Houston-based Webb, Murray & Associates, Inc., an ACIT member, has been accepted into the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Mobile Workforce Demonstration for Construction as a Star site, which is the program's highest designation.

The VPP, administered by OSHA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is a set of cooperative efforts among labor, management and government. Acceptance into the VPP requires having safety and health programs that exceed OSHA's standards. "VPP recognition is a tribute to the commitment of Webb, Murray & Associates to creating a safer work environment," says Bob Webb, an executive of of Webb, Murray & Associates.

Star status was awarded to Webb, Murray & Associates, Inc. after a rigorous audit of safety procedures by the OSHA onsite review team, followed by on-site evaluations at four independent customer worksites to verify that the firm's safety and health management systems are working as designed. Webb, Murray & Associates achieved an impressive three-year injury and illness rate (IIR) of 76 percent below the industry average and a lost workday rate (LWDI) of 80 percent below the industry average.

Successfully completing the VPP application and review process represents a cooperative effort between OSHA, management and labor to meet or exceed prerequisites identified under the four main elements of VPP: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement; Worksite Analysis; Hazard Prevention and Control; and Safety and Health Training.

"Every Webb, Murray associate was involved in this effort," Webb adds. "The commitment of every single team member is critical to keeping our associates safe."

Turning 50, BASF gives $1M for New Process Technology Center

TCC member BASF will contribute $1 million to the Brazosport College Foundation to construct a new process technology center as part of the school's planned Science Technology Corridor on its campus in superabsorbents, nylon and plastics. The contribution from BASF, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, will come in five annual installments beginning in 2008 and concluding in 2012.

Brazosport College is currently designing the new facility, which is the first project of the college's growth initiative and master plan. The BASF Center for Process Technology will include new analytical labs and classrooms for curriculum supporting the petrochemical, energy and nuclear industries. The fields of study will include process technology, nuclear power technology, safety and environmental technology and emerging energy specialties.

In addition to the new center, the Science Technology Corridor will include a health professions and science technology complex that will house labs, classrooms and department offices for the college's health professions programs.

"Together, businesses and communities can meet future workforce needs by ensuring that educational institutions have the resources and support necessary to continue providing quality education that's aligned with job growth in the region," says Art Colwell, vice president and general manager of BASF's Freeport site. "Brazosport College has an excellent process technology program and BASF is proud to expand its support of the school and this program going forward."

BASF's nearby Freeport site employs 650 employees and 275 contractors. Chemicals produced at the site are used in a wide range of product applications including adhesives, paints and coatings, superabsorbents, nylon and plastics.

Changes in Leadership at Shell Deer Park

Effective March 1, Shell's Deer Park refinery and chemical plant will be integrated under a single General Manager and site leadership team led by Aamir Farid, currently the General Manager, Deer Park Refinery. Aamir began his 30 year career with Shell at Deer Park holding several developmental roles in technical support, refinery planning and optimization and operations. He later assumed several manufacturing leadership assignments, including Process Unit and Health and Safety Manager at the Wilmington and Wood River refineries; VP Production at the Deer Park Refinery; Director Reliability & Maintenance in Shell's regional US organization, GM Bay Valley Complex (Martinez and Bakersfield) and GM Martinez, before assuming his current role.

Also, Mary Mujica, General Manager, Deer Park Chemicals manufacturing, moved Feb. 1 to Gas & Power as Senior Vice President, LNG Americas in downtown Houston.

Mary joined Shell in 1988 at Deer Park Chemicals, supporting the Phenol Acetone Operations. At Deer Park, Mary worked initially in various Chemicals and Oil Products roles spanning Health, Safety & Environment, Maintenance, Reliability, Operations Support and Business Management. She later on to hold several leadership positions in the Downstream One Project Management Office, Supply, Portfolio Planning & Development, and Transportation.

Jeff Bonorden Named Vice Chair of TCC's Occupational Safety Committee

TCC's Occupational Safety Committee has a new vice chair - Jeff Bonorden, Manager-Industrial Health and Medical for LyondellBasell. Jeff has been involved with TCC for almost 10 years and has held leadership positions with various Occupational Safety Subcommittees. He is currently the Chairman of the Texas State Regulation Subcommittee and was last year's Chairman of the EHS Seminar. Jeff is the current Safety Professional of the Year.

Board Members Sought for VPPPA

A related story is that nominations are being accepted for seats on the Board of Directors of the VPP Participants' Association (VPPPA). These positions, which include chairperson, secretary/historian, employee representative, and two directors-at large, will be elected during the Region VI VPPPA Annual Conference May 13-16 in San Antonio. (Region VI covers VPP sites in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.)

Each Board position consists of a two-year term beginning at the aforementioned Annual Conference, and ending with the Region VI Annual Confererence in 2010. To be elected or appointed to the VPPPA Board of Directors, a nominee must be a Full Member in good standing with the Association, and must make a significant management commitment. If you've got what it takes, you can start with this online submission form.