Air Quality

The Austin Chamber recognizes cleaner air is a statewide challenge and accordingly, supports the adoption of TCEQ's Legislative Appropriations Request for the next biennium for air quality planning activities.

The Austin Chamber also supports programmatic adjustments to the Low Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP). LIRAP reduces emissions from older, high-emitting vehicles by allowing assistance to qualified owners of vehicles who fail the emissions test.

Additionally, we recognize the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) has proven to be a successful incentive program aimed at improving air quality, enhancing public health, and promoting economic prosperity. The Austin Chamber supports programmatic adjustments to this program as necessary.

Austin is the headquarters for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas which operates state’s independent electric grid and manages the deregulated market for 75% of Texas.