Environment & Energy
Trees For Houston Young Professionals to Replant Shepherd Park
Houston Wins at Green Energy
TCEQ approves fines totaling $849,429
News Release
TCEQ approves fines totaling $849,429
Fines of $145,211 against Diamond Shamrock Refining, L.P. in Moore Co. and $103,800 against Micro Dirt, Inc. in Travis Co. included
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $849,429 against 44 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.
State Supreme Court Denies White Stallion’s Appeal
Austin, TX – The Texas Supreme Court denied a request by White Stallion Energy Center to overrule a lower court’s decision to send back the air pollution permit to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The latest ruling, made on December 30, upheld a lower court’s ruling from earlier in 2011 in favor of the Environmental Defense Fund’s argument that significant changes in how the site will be constructed and run made during the application process creates too much uncertainty regarding expected levels of toxic air pollution from the proposed coal plant. In other words, White Stallion created a moving target, shifting plans for the plant while the permitting process was ongoing. The decision effectively upholds a state district court’s decision to send back the White Stallion coal plant’s air pollution permit.
New Year Resolutions for Texas
We promise to exercise more, eat right, and spend more time with our family, but what are we doing for Texas in the new year? As the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve, resolve to Take Care of Texas for a 2012 everyone can enjoy! Here are six helpful tips to get you started:
Reduce air emissions by driving the speed limit
Help keep your watershed clean by picking up after your pet
Recycle your unwanted computer
Use less water
Reuse office supplies
Look for opportunities to carpool to work and school
Experts Meet Government to Discuss Drought
Climate experts and government officials are meeting in Fort Worth to discuss the severe 2011 drought afflicting Texas and the Southern Plains and what the outlook is for the future. The daylong program will be at the Fort Worth Hilton hotel on Tuesday.
Mandantory Water Restrictions
HOUSTON -- Severe heat and a drought have forced several cities and towns in southeast Texas to tighten their water restrictions.
Houston Could Face Mandatory Water Conservation Status Update
Free Water
Local Green Business owner, Bob Card and his wife, Cynthia, installed a couple or rain barrels under their AC water drip line. They have reported getting about 100 gallons a week just from the water that was in the air in the house!
The barrels are quite simple to make or buy. The photo on the left was submitted by the Card's and a short list of rain barrel suppliers can be found below.
TCEQ meeting on water rights during drought rules
TCEQ meeting on water rights during drought rules
Rules for emergency suspension to be discussed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 4, 2011
New legislation, passed as part of the Sunset Review of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, allows the Executive Director of the agency to suspend or adjust water rights during times of drought or emergency shortage of water.
Evaluating Houston's Future
A new report from researchers at Rice University evaluates the health and sustainability of the Houston region. The report doesn't give Houston a grade or ranking — but instead looks at how the city is doing in 25 categories.
