8/15/10

Michael Vasquez, Program Manager, Texas Conference of Urban Counties, has announced his organization's opposition to a proposed rule change made during the August 4, 2010 TCEQ Tax Relief for Pollution Control Property Advisory Committee meeting.   The proposed rule change would appear to provide a 100% pollution control determination for equipment used to handle, store, or treat recyclable byproducts and co-products related to coal combustion or gasification if it would otherwise have been disposed as solid waste.  According to Mr. Vasquez, "During the August 4th meeting, [advisory committee member] Mike Nasi argued that removal of the value of byproducts in the Tier III calculation creates a disincentive for companies to recycle waste products instead of sending them to a landfill. City, county and appraisal district representatives raised concerns that the Nasi language could expand the program to allow companies to get tax exemptions for recycling and selling waste products, which is not what the Proposition 2 program was designed to do. There was also concern that TCEQ, once the door is opened, would be hard pressed not to allow the same thing for other applicants."

To access the TCEQ recording of the August 4 meeting, Advisory Committee recommendations, and agenda click on the link below.

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/air/taxrelief/prop2_hottopics.html

Michael Vasquez's contact information is:

Michael Vasquez
Program Manager
Texas Conference of Urban Counties
500 West 13th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
512/476-6174
512/476-5122 (fax)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The ongoing developments concerning property tax exemptions for pollution control property are being followed by many school district officials because of potential future implications for funding for public education, in addition to concerns voiced about potential refunds for property tax collections for the current and prior fiscal years.