TCEQ commissioner attends environmental summit

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Commissioner Buddy Garcia will welcome participants at the Laredo Environmental Summit on Oct. 20. This important meeting of state and local leaders and local stakeholders engages the community in working together to improve their environment.

“I heartily congratulate the Laredo Steering Committee on giving all parties this springboard for taking action on environmental issues of greatest concern to this area,” says Commissioner Garcia. “Working together, at all levels, makes our efforts for long-term solutions more effective.”

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The Summit will be held at Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, Texas 78041 in the Student Center Ballroom. Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini is slated as the opening speaker. Susan Ghertner, HEB director of environmental affairs, will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon. Summit topics for 2011 include a presentation by Glen Jarvis, water planning chairman of the Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group, on Region M’s “50-year Water Plan and Water Conservation,” as well as presentations from other speakers on recycling activities conducted by AT&T and the City of Brownsville. Breakout sessions (solution sessions) will cover environmental topics, such as recycling and conservation.

The summit is free and open to the public; however, registration is required.