AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry, Attorney General Greg Abbott and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced that the state is taking legal action in the U.S. Court of Appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) endangerment finding for greenhouse gases.
January 7, 2010
On January 7th, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced a proposal to lower the federal eight-hour ozone standard to between 60 and 70 parts per billion (ppb). This announcement comes only 18 months after EPA lowered the standard to 75 ppb in March 2008. With this new, stricter standard, more areas of the state such as Austin, San Antonio and Longview-Marshall could fall into nonattainment, and areas such as Houston and Dallas will have an even more difficult task reaching attainment. To view the full release, click on the following link: EPA News Release.
There will be a public hearing on the proposal in Houston on February 2, 2010. TCC will be actively engaged in both the hearing and submitting comments on this proposal. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mike McMullen at (512) 646-6404 or mmcmullen@txchemcouncil.org.
The ACIT Houston Ship Channel region held its first Regional Economic Outlook Breakfast on December 3rd at Houston’s Brady’s Landing. The event – attended by more than 150 people – was sponsored by ACIT, TCC, and the East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA).
Attendees heard presentations from refinery sector representatives, chemical sector representatives, the Port of Houston, and the Economic Alliance – Houston Port Region.
“This event provides our members with an insight into the challenges that companies are facing during these tough economic times”, said ACIT President Hector Rivero. “It is critical that we protect this important economic engine in the Houston Ship Channel. These industries provide most of the investment, jobs, and tax-base in this region.”
The breakfast presentations are available to members in the members section of our website, by clicking on Full Story and logging in.
August 25, 2009
Today, Governor Rick Perry announced the appointment of Carlos Rubinstein to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Rubinstein will fill the vacancy left by Commissioner Larry Soward whose term expires on August 31st.
Rubinstein has served as TCEQ Deputy Executive Director since June of 2008, serving as the chief operating officer and assisting the Executive Director in the administration of the agency. Rubinstein’s background and experience will certainly be an asset as he assumes his new role as Commissioner.
“As Deputy Executive Director, Carlos has performed his duties with temperance and objectivity,” said TCC President Hector L. Rivero. “He has demonstrated an ability to work with stakeholders to identify pragmatic and reasonable solutions to complex issues. TCC congratulates Carlos on his appointment and looks forward to working with him in his new capacity as Commissioner.”
Previously, Rubinstein served as the TCEQ director of field operations for the border and South-Central Texas area, which includes the Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Laredo, and Harlingen regions. In this capacity, Rubinstein provided oversight and direction and coordinated strategic planning, budget, purchasing, and human resource issues for the five regional offices.
Rubinstein also served as the Rio Grande Watermaster, responsible for allocating, monitoring, and controlling the use of surface water in the Rio Grande basin from Fort Quitman to the mouth of the Rio Grande River.
Rubinstein began his career at the agency as a waste program manager and moved up to serve as the regional director for the Harlingen and Laredo offices. He also worked for the city of Brownsville as the health and EMS director, health and permitting director, operations manager, and rose to the rank of city manager.
Rubinstein has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from The University of Texas – Pan American.
In addition to the appointment of Rubinstein, Governor Perry named Commissioner Bryan Shaw as the new Chairman of the Commission (effective September 10, 2009). TCC congratulates Commissioner Shaw and looks forward to working with the Commission in the future.
