Spills: Which State Agency Has Jurisdiction?
Depending on what is spilled and where, it might not be the TCEQ.
The TCEQ is the state’s lead agency in responding to spills of all hazardous substances (except oil spills in coastal waters), including refined petroleum products from pipelines; releases of crude oil being transported over the roadway; and discharges of any other substances that may cause pollution or that may harm air quality pursuant to the Texas Hazardous Substances Spill Prevention and Control Act (Texas Water Code Section 26.261 et seq) and the Texas Clean Air Act (Texas Health & Safety Code Section 382.001).
The General Land Office (GLO)
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)
The Texas Department of State Health Services
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (TDEM)
If a spill presents a disaster or threatens to become one, the governor may make available and bring to bear all resources of the state to prevent or lessen its impact. The governor declares a disaster by executive order or proclamation. Such an executive order activates the recovery and rehabilitation phase of the state’s Emergency Management Plan, which is coordinated by the (TDEM)
.