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Texas’ new appellate court raises concerns for environmentalists
Texas Governor Greg Abbott's recent creation of the 15th Court of Appeals, a body seen as favorable to business interests, has sparked fears among environmental advocates who believe it undermines regulatory oversight.
Jim Morris, Leah Clark and Manuela Silva report for Public Health Watch.
In short:
- The new court, established by the Texas Legislature, will hear civil cases involving the state and significant business disputes.
- Environmentalists worry the court will bypass the more progressive 3rd Court of Appeals, which has historically been more sympathetic to environmental concerns.
- High-stakes cases, including those involving major pollution permits, will now be handled by the new court, potentially weakening environmental protections.
Key quote:
“This is a way for Texas to create a very conservative court that I suspect the governor believes will be less friendly to environmental interests and probably very friendly to business.”
— Ilan Levin, senior counsel, Environmental Integrity Project.
Why this matters:
Critics argue that this move undermines judicial impartiality, potentially leading to laxer enforcement of environmental protections and health regulations. Read more: Texas has more chemical emergencies than any other state and they’re disproportionately affecting Latino communities.
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