texas commission on environmental quality
Newsletter
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EPA settles Texas suit, agrees to decide on pollution plan in East Texas
Noah Alcala Bach writes in the Texas Tribune about the EPA's settlement of a a lawsuit the Sierra Club brought over pollution from an East Texas coal-burning power plant. The agreement requires the EPA to weigh in on the state’s plan to improve air quality in Rusk and Panola counties.
In a nutshell:
The Sierra Club accused the EPA of delays in approving or rejecting the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's plan, which the Sierra Club deemed inadequate and urged the EPA to reject. Under the settlement, the EPA must either accept Texas' plan or issue its own improved plan to address air quality in the counties by December 13, 2024. Residents in the area have experienced respiratory issues and health problems linked to the power plant's emissions, and hope the settlement will bring positive changes to their communities.
Key quote:
“We’ve seen in the past that while Texas plans are generally not adequate, the federal government puts together much more thorough plans that result in better air quality,” said Emma Pabst, a campaign representative for Sierra Club.
The big picture:
The emissions from coal plants release harmful pollutants into the air, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to respiratory problems, exacerbate existing respiratory conditions like asthma, and increase the risk of heart and lung diseases. Communities living close to coal power plants may experience higher rates of cancer, cardiovascular issues, and other health problems due to prolonged exposure to these pollutants.
Read the full story in the Texas Tribune.
Research shows that coal energy pollution may result in up to 57,000 premature deaths every year in the U.S.; switching to solar energy might reduce these deaths, writes Brian Bienkowski.
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Senate approves Texas environmental agency sunset bill
The bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to focus enforcement on repeat violators and increase public outreach.
Newsletter
Photo by Alexander Van Steenberge on Unsplash
Brain-eating amoeba moving north across America, and climate change may be why
The brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri is moving further into the U.S., with a "statistically significant northward trend" observed since 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Newsletter
www.houstonchronicle.com
Texas sues Exxon Mobil over environmental violations from Baytown fire
The state of Texas filed suit against the petrochemical giant days after Harris County sued the company over a July 31 fire.
Newsletter
www.houstonchronicle.com
Companies pin excessive 2017 air pollution on Harvey, one-time events
Companies that were found to have emitted the most air pollutants in 2017 in Texas are in some cases pinning the blame on Hurricane Harvey, as well as unique one-time plant upsets and maintenance.
www.houstonchronicle.com
Hurricane Harvey’s toxic legacy
Chemical spills during storm wrought untold environmental damage on our area
www.houstonchronicle.com
Silent Spills Part 2: For Crosby residents, a ‘bitter taste’ about Arkema, and little help from government
Six months after the Arkema accident, Crosby residents say they still know very little about any potential health effects from the flood and the fires.
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