The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has a backlog of more than 1,000 unresolved environmental complaint investigations, according to a study released this week.
The report found that TCEQ investigators now take longer to open and complete cases, prioritizing complaints that pose immediate threats to public health while lower-priority reports remain in the queue for months.
Researchers noted that budget reductions limited the agency’s ability to hire staff, maintain experienced inspectors, and upgrade monitoring equipment, contributing to delays in enforcement and investigation outcomes. Internal adjustments, including complaint triaging, remote inspections, and consolidation of similar cases, have mitigated but not eliminated delays.
The study recommends increasing funding, adding investigative staff, improving public access to complaint status information, and providing clearer timelines and explanations for residents.
TCEQ representatives responded that the agency continues to focus on serious environmental and public health risks and meets statutory program requirements while managing available resources.