How to Submit an Open Records Request
If your request is for any and all documents, pending applications,
ongoing compliance or enforcement actions, or records not available
in TCEQ’s Central File Room (CFR), you may:
- E-mail your request to openrecs@tceq.state.tx.us;
or
- Fax your request to 512/239-0888; or
- Mail a written request to:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Attn: Public Information Officer, MC 197
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087
Please Note: If you want to simply view or obtain copies of
agency records which are filed in TCEQ’s Central File Room
(CFR), You may contact the Central File
Room.
What Your Request Should Include
Please include the following information to help ensure you
receive the information you want:
- Your name and mailing address;
- Your telephone number (so we can contact you directly if we
have questions about your request);
- The name of the company or facility;
- The permit number or other identifying number;
- The street address of the facility;
- A list or description of the specific information of interest
to you.
The TCEQ organizes its files by permit number and facility name.
Providing this information will make it easier for us to quickly
respond to your request. Be as specific as possible about the
information you are seeking. If you need assistance identifying
records maintained by the central file room, you may contact the
Central File Room.
How to Obtain
Certified Copies of Documents
As custodian of records, the public information officer is also
responsible for the certification of TCEQ documents. Certified
copies of documents can be requested at the Central File Room. They
can be requested in person, by phone, or by written request
(including fax) in accordance with the following procedure:
- Request certified copies from file room;
- The file room will coordinate having the certified copies
made;
- There is a 50-cent charge for each certification prepared.
Documents cannot be removed from TCEQ premises prior to
certification. If a certification is being requested of documents
located at a TCEQ regional office, the request for certification
must be coordinated through the public information officer in
Austin.
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Costs
The agency's charges for copies are based on the schedule
recommended by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. The
TCEQ Copy Services Center (512/239-2950) will assist you in
determining any copying cost incurred.
Electronic Data
The TCEQ maintains many electronic databases. If you are looking
for information from a database, you may wish to contact the
Production Control and Reporting Services Unit of the Information
Resources Division at 512/239-3282.
TCEQ IR
Data Clearinghouse.
The Public Information
Act
Under Texas law, each person is entitled to complete information
about the affairs of government and the official acts of public
officials and employees at all times, unless otherwise expressly
provided by law.
"Public information" means information that is collected,
assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection
with the transaction of official business: (1) by a governmental
body; or (2) for a governmental body and the governmental body owns
the information or has a right of access to it. The term is defined
in Government Code Section 552.002.
The TCEQ is committed to upholding the Public Information Act
(PIA) and to ensuring public access to its records. All agency
staff are obligated to abide by the TCEQ's Operating Policy and
Procedure (
06.18 Requests
for Public Information) regarding requests for information
under the Texas Public Information Act.
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TCEQ Public Information Officer
For purposes of this subchapter, a written request
includes a request made in writing that is sent to the office of
public information, or the person designated by that officer, by
electronic mail or facsimile transmission.
The executive director of the TCEQ, as the chief administrative
officer for the agency, is the public information officer (PIO).
The executive director has designated the customer services center
manager to act on his behalf as public information officer.
Duties of the public information officer include:
1. Making public information available for public inspection and
copying.
2. Carefully protecting public information from deterioration,
alteration, mutilation, loss, or unlawful removal.
3. Repairing, renovating, or rebinding public information as
necessary to maintain it properly.
4. Providing certification of TCEQ documents as true agency
records
TCEQ Public Information Act Request Procedures
TCEQ's Operating Policy and Procedure (
06.18 Requests for Public
Information) defines the procedure.
If a customer wants their request to be handled under the
provisions of the Public Information Act, the request must be
submitted in writing. If the TCEQ wishes to withhold public
information, state law requires the agency to seek a ruling from
the attorney general within ten business days of receipt of the
written request. In addition, if the agency cannot produce the
requested public information within ten business days, the agency
must respond in writing to the requestor stating that fact and
setting a reasonable time when the information will be available
for inspection or duplication. Thus, it is TCEQ policy to respond
to all requests for public information within ten business days.
Exceptions to the Public Information Act
All TCEQ records are available for public view unless one of the
exceptions to disclosure listed in the Public Information Act
applies. Subchapter C of Government Code Chapter 552 - Public
Information lists the exceptions. Some types of information that
may be kept confidential include:
- private, personal information such as certain financial or
medical information;
- certain law enforcement information, which may include the
identity of informers;
- some information related to ongoing litigation;
- home addresses and phone numbers of local government officials
or employees.
Requests from
the Media
Requests for information from the media should be directed to Media
Relations. Please call 512/239-5000, fax 239-5010, or e-mail
ac@tceq.state.tx.us.
Questions and Comments
Please contact the agency's public information officer by e-mail at
openrecs@tceq.state.tx.us,
by phone at 512/239-3282, fax at 239-0888, or at the mailing
address above with any requests, questions, or comments on access
to records or information.
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