Austin, Texas - On Thursday, April 24th, State Senator Royce West was looking out for residential communities when he offered and passed an amendment that would require the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to develop a strategic plan to include provisions restricting the siting of solid waste facilities in areas that already have a concentration of facilities.

This amendment was very important to Senator West and was hotly debated on the floor.

"I was adamant about getting this provision in the bill because I represent the neighborhoods of Cadillac Heights, West Dallas, McComas Bluff, and Wilmer-Hutchins communities that have historically been oversatuarated by the location and residue left from solid waste facilities," said Senator West.

In addition, the amendment would require TNRCC to consider the cumulative effect multiple sources of pollution may have on the community surrounding a solid waste facility.

"The purpose of my amendment was to ensure that TNRCC will consider the present and future implications of the placement of a solid waste facility in the neighborhoods that I represent and in any other Texas neighborhood," said West.

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