We started the TCEQ Watchdog campaign because too many people have experienced how prioritizing profits over people impacts their health, safety and quality of life. The TCEQ has built an unfortunate reputation for lax enforcement and fines so small they amount to a rounding error on a multinational corporation's balance sheet. Public Citizen's TCEQ Watchdog campaign advocates for agency reforms that put people first and corporate profits second. Public Citizen TCEQ campaign director Kathryn Guerra

The TCEQ Watchdog campaign launched in April 2025 with three primary goals: holding the TCEQ accountable, building the capacity of communities and cultivating local power. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the state’s environmental regulatory agency, charged with protecting public health and the environment by issuing permits and enforcing compliance. For years, polluters in Texas have enjoyed lax regulatory oversight and enforcement from the TCEQ, along with minuscule fines that do little to deter repeat offenders. 

In 2021, the TCEQ entered Sunset Review, the state of Texas’ process for evaluating an agency’s performance and recommending reforms. Public Citizen convened four state-wide People’s Hearings, drawing 92 comments from witnesses. Significant wins for communities in the resulting Sunset legislation considered by lawmakers include an increase in the maximum daily fine for repeat violators from $20k to 40k; an extension of the public comment period to 36 hours after the public meeting for a permit with consolidated notice; in-person meetings preserved with virtual participation option included; and new community outreach and education on participating in permitting.

The campaign has identified numerous agency critiques, which center around TCEQ’s longstanding self-created enforcement policies. The campaign supports communities by advocating on impactful issues in rulemakings, permitting and enforcement policies. We support impacted communities by helping them more effectively engage with the TCEQ. We also work to identify opportunities to highlight and publicize common issues across communities in Texas through outreach, media and testimony to the TCEQ commissioners.