"We are responsible for issuring you have good air quality good water quality and proper disposal of waste," said Winona Henry with TCEQ.
That means they hold local businesses accountable.
"They could have an improper discharge to a creek or something , they could be emmitting an odor or dust in excess of the allowable limit," said Henry.
If a business is not complying with the environmental policy, the TCEQ will take action.
"Depending on the violation or non complince there may be a fine or penalty to that," said Henry.
That money from the fine could go to general revenue or the business can help the environment further.
"A portion of that penalty can be diverted to a project wothin the community or the county that may be beneficial to the environment," said Henry.
It called the Supplemnetal Environmental Project or SEP, and its putting fines to work closer to home.
"I think most companie want to be good neighbors and this helps them utilize this money and become good neighbors and maybe make some kind of contribution to the community," said Henry.
