ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, AUGUST 19 – 25
US COURT HANDS EPA A WIN IN UTILITY EMISSION CASE
Reuters, 8/21/06
WASHINGTON – A federal court has ruled that a big US utility must install costly pollution-reduction equipment at its aging coal-powered electric plants if it expands them, handing a victory to the US government in a case that could shape an upcoming Supreme Court ruling.
BP SHELVES ISLE LNG PROJECT
Galveston Daily News, 8/22/06
GALVESTON — Citing market conditions, BP has delayed controversial plans to build a $650 million liquefied natural gas terminal on Pelican Island.
WANT TO NAME NEW CITY PARK?
Houston Chronicle 8/22/06
When Houston’s new downtown park opens next year, most of its features — the dog run, the fountains, the pond — will bear the names of major donors.
STATE PARKS’ FUNDING WOES GET POLITICAL
Houston Chronicle, 8/23/06
ASTRODOME’S SHELTER DAYS ARE OVER, COUNTY SAYS
Houston Chronicle, 8/22/06
As the county moved a step closer today to redevelopment of the Astrodome as a convention hotel, officials said it no longer will figure in emergency shelter plans as it did when thousands of hurricane evacuees arrived last year.
AGREEMENT REACHED ON NEW SUBDIVISION
Houston Chronicle, 8/21/06
A developer and critics of his planned subdivision in northeast Houston have reached an agreement for the project to move forward.
NEIGHBORS JOIN HIGH-RISE COURT BATTLE
Galveston County Daily News, 8/22/06
GALVESTON — Opponents of a proposed high-rise condominium project say they’re willing to spend up to $80,000 to help the city win a legal battle.
SCIENTISTS SPEND MONTH ON AIR QUALITY STUDY
Baytown Sun, 8/22/06
GALVESTON — More than 200 scientists using an array of instruments are embarking on a month-long study of the air quality in the Houston-Galveston region.
HCPHES TO DEDICATE SOPHISTICATED AIR MONITORING STATION
Pasadena News Citizen, 08/22/2006
A breakthrough system in detecting contaminants in the air will be launched by the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services at 9 am Wednesday at 901 Curtis Blvd in Pasadena.
PARCHED IN THE HILL COUNTRY
Houston Chronicle, 8/21/06
DRIPPING SPRINGS – Tina Moody bathes in an old-style tub under the Texas sky so she can drain the soapy water onto her trees and roses.
STILL MOPPING UP IN GULF
Houston Chronicle, 8/24/06
BP’s announcement this week that a damaged oil platform is leaking off Louisiana highlights what many have forgotten: the Gulf of Mexico’s oil and gas industry is still cleaning up from last year’s hurricane season.
REPORT CALLS FOR TIGHTER RULES IN NURSING HOME EVACUATIONS
New York Times, 8/18/06
Frail elderly residents who were evacuated from nursing homes in the Gulf States suffered more than the vast majority of those who were not moved during last year’s hurricanes, according to a report to be issued today by the inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services.
EXHIBIT SHOWCASES PHOTOS TAKEN BY SURVIVORS
Houston Chronicle, 8/19/06
Brandon Dupre walked slowly, arms folded across his chest, and took in the photographs depicting the destruction of his hometown of Chalmette, La.