Sec. 361.509. SOURCE REDUCTION AND WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSISTANCE. (a) The office of pollution prevention established under Section 361.0216 shall assist generators of hazardous waste and owners or operators of facilities that release pollutants or contaminants in reducing the volume, toxicity, and adverse public health and environmental effects of hazardous waste generated or pollutants or contaminants released in the state. To provide the assistance, the office may:

(1) compile, organize, and make available for distribution information on source reduction and waste minimization technologies and procedures;

(2) compile and make available for distribution to business and industry a list of consultants on source reduction and waste minimization technologies and procedures and a list of researchers at state universities who can assist in source reduction and waste minimization activities;

(3) sponsor and conduct conferences and individualized workshops on source reduction and waste minimization for specific classes of business or industry;

(4) facilitate and promote the transfer of source reduction and waste minimization technologies and procedures among businesses and industries;

(5) if appropriate, develop and distribute model source reduction and waste minimization plans for the major classes of business or industry, as identified by the office, that generate and subsequently treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste or that release a pollutant or contaminant in the state;

(6) develop and make available for distribution recommended source reduction and waste minimization audit procedures for use by business or industry in conducting internal source reduction and waste minimization audits;

(7) provide to business and industry, as resources allow, on-site assistance in identifying potential source reduction and waste minimization techniques and practices and in conducting internal source reduction and waste minimization audits;

(8) compile and make available for distribution information on tax benefits available to business or industry for implementing source reduction and waste minimization technologies and practices;

(9) establish procedures for setting priorities among key industries and businesses for receiving assistance from the office;

(10) develop the information base and data collection programs necessary to set program priorities and to evaluate progress in source reduction and waste minimization;

(11) develop training programs and materials for state and local regulatory personnel and private business and industry regarding the nature and applicability of source reduction and waste minimization practices;

(12) produce a biennial report on source reduction and waste minimization activities, achievements, problems, and goals, including a biennial work plan;

(13) participate in existing state, federal, and industrial networks of individuals and groups involved in source reduction and waste minimization; and

(14) publicize to business and industry, and participate in and support, waste exchange programs.

(b) The commission shall provide education and training to river authorities, municipalities, and public groups on source reduction and waste minimization technologies and practices.

(c) The commission shall develop incentives to promote the implementation of source reduction and waste minimization, including:

(1) commission recommendations to the governor for awards in recognition of source reduction and waste minimization efforts;

(2) an opportunity by rules of the commission for an owner or operator of a facility to be exempted from the requirements of this subchapter on meeting appropriate criteria for practical economic and technical completion of the source reduction and waste minimization plan for the facility; and

(3) expedited review of a permit amendment application if the amendment is necessary to implement a source reduction and waste minimization project, considering only the directly affected parts of the permit.

(d) The commission shall work closely with the Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center to identify areas in which the center could perform research in the development of alternative technologies or conduct related projects to promote source reduction and waste minimization.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 296, Sec. 2.01, eff. June 7, 1991. Renumbered from Sec. 361.439 by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 3, Sec. 1.028(a), eff. Aug. 12, 1991. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 11.90, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.