The Environmental Conservation program is the state-designated planning agency for solid waste management issues in the Alamo Area. The program reviews applications for landfill permits and solid waste grants, and each year AACOG provides oversights on Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) funding for local government projects including source reduction, recycling, local illegal dumping enforcement, solid waste studies, household hazardous waste collections, and public education efforts.
The program also provides technical assistance to local governments on solid waste issues and offers continuing education opportunities for local governments and solid waste professionals.
Environmental Conservation Program
If you have questions, contact Shauna Duff at sduff@aacog.com or (210) 362-5243 regarding Closed Landfill Inventory information.
Responsibilities
AACOG is the state-designated planning agency for solid waste management issues in the region. The Solid Waste Program reviews applications for landfill permits and solid waste grants. Each year AACOG provides oversights on Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) funding for local government projects, including source reduction, recycling, local illegal dumping enforcement, solid waste studies, household hazardous waste collections, and public education efforts. AACOG provides technical assistance to local governments on solid waste issues and continuing education opportunities for local governments and solid waste professionals.
AACOG Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2022 - 2042
FY 2024-2025 Regional Solid Waste Grants - Private Sector Notice
Conformance Reviews
AACOG reviews proposed municipal solid waste facility applications submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as part of its conformance review process with regional and local solid waste management plans. AACOG and the 23 other regional planning commissions are provided this opportunity by Texas statute when new facilities are proposed, or a site expands.
To provide a proper review of a site application, AACOG developed a conformance review process and checklist that guides organizations for compliance with solid waste plans throughout the region. The process focuses on ensuring sites do not adversely impact human health or the environment by determining a proposed site’s impacts upon counties, cities, communities, groups of property owners, or individuals in terms of compatibility of land use, zoning in the vicinity, community growth patterns, and other factors associated with the public interest.
Each organization requesting a new site or site expansion will need to download and submit the Conformance Review Checklist as well as, the items listed below to AACOG. The project will then be reviewed by AACOG's Resource Recovery Committee (RRC) and AACOG's Board of Directors.
- Notify City Council District along with contact/meeting date with official and/or staff
- Notify County Precinct along with contact/meeting date with official and/or staff
- Maps (should be part of checklist information)
- Photos (before and after; for landfills, information is needed on what the property looked like before the clean-up and after the clean-up)
- Test results of soil sampling
Closed Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Inventory Recommended Procedures and Forms
The procedures and forms presented in this document are provided to the councils of governments (COGs) as recommendations to be presented to the Resource Recovery Committee (RRC) and AACOG's Board of Directors. Each organization requesting the removal of a Closed Landfill from the CLosed Landfill Inventory, will need to download and submit the Closed Landfill Removal Revision Form as well as provide the items listed below to AACOG.
- Notify City Council District along with contact/meeting date with official and/or staff
- Notify County Precinct along with contact/meeting date with official and/or staff
- Maps (should be part of checklist information)
- Photos (before and after; for landfills, information is needed on what the property looked like before the clean-up and after the clean-up)
- Test results of soil sampling
- For landfill removal from CLI, proof that below the surface of the property is clean/clear of debris
Project Funding
Grant funds will be assigned for each fiscal years during one RFA. Grant funds are available to local governments, public schools and school districts, and general and special law districts created in accordance with state law, and with the authority and responsibility for water quality protection or municipal solid waste management. Funds may be used for projects under seven categories:
- Household hazardous waste management
- Local environmental law enforcement
- Litter and illegal dumping clean-up and community collection events
- Source reduction and recycling
- Citizens’ collection stations
- Educational and training programs
PACE
AACOG’s Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy (TX-PACE) Program
Innovative Financing Tool Helps Property Owners Cut Costs, Increase Efficiency
The AACOG Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy or TX-PACE program provides an additional tool for Alamo Area property owners to finance eligible retrofit projects. The Property Assessed Clean Energy Act (Chapter 399 of the Local Government Code) was enacted by the State of Texas in 2013, and AACOG adopted the program in 2019.
PACE Approved Jurisdictions
Cities / Counties
- City of Boerne
- City of Castle Hills
- City of Converse
- City of Fredericksburg
- City of Hondo
- City of Leon Valley
- City of Live Oak
- City of Poteet
- City of San Antonio
- Comal County
- Guadalupe County
- Medina County
WHAT IS TX-PACE?
TX-PACE is an innovative financing program that incentivizes owners of commercial (including nonprofit, retail, healthcare, and hospitality), industrial (including manufacturing and agricultural), and multifamily residential properties (with five or more dwelling units) to obtain low-cost, long-term financing for water conservation, energy efficiency, renewable, and resilience retrofits.
- TX-PACE programs enable owners to lower their operating costs and use the savings to pay for eligible projects.
- Owners gain access to private, affordable, long-term (typically 10-20 years) financing that is not available through traditional funding avenues.
The PACE Act authorizes municipalities and counties in Texas to work with private-sector lenders and property owners to finance qualified improvements using contractual assessments (similar to a sidewalk or sewer assessment) voluntarily imposed on the property by the owner. In exchange for funds provided by a private lender to pay for the improvements, the property owner voluntarily requests that the local government place an assessment secured with a senior lien on the property until the assessment is paid in full.
HOW TX-PACE WORKS
TX-PACE is a simple and effective program that allows property owners to see an immediate increase to net operating income and find investing in efficiency a business-savvy proposition. Owners choose a private sector capital provider and voluntarily request that the local government place a senior lien on the property for the total cost of the project. The owner commits to the local government that he/she will pay the TX-PACE assessment installments. TX-PACE is not a personal or business loan. It is a voluntary land secured assessment that is paid off over time. The energy and/or water savings are structured to exceed the cost of the assessment, resulting in projects that are cash flow positive. As the assessment is tied to the property, the repayment obligation transfers to the next owner if the property is sold.
Fee Structure
Application Fee is the greater of:
- $2000; or
- Amounting to:
- 1% of total project cost of first $5 million;
- 0.5% of marginal amount above $5 million; and
- 0.25% of marginal amount above $20 million.
Inital $500 to be paid with application. Balance to be at closing.
AACOG has selected Texas PACE Authority as the third-party administrator of this program. Visit the Texas PACE Authority website to view frequently asked questions, case studies, educational materials, a financing comparison calculator and upcoming trainings and TX-PACE events.
Texas PACE Authority
Closed Landfill Inventory App
- Please click the link for the Closed Landfill Inventory App