ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, FEBRUARY 10-16
ERCOT: TEXAS WILL HAVE ENOUGH POWER IN ’08
Houston Business Journal 2/15/07
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has pushed back by one year the estimated point at which the state’s reserve power supply will fall below the minimum level needed. The state’s reserve power supply is now expected to fall below the 12.5 percent minimum level in 2009 instead of 2008.
MAYOR WHITE’S CLEAN AIR QUEST TARGETS BENZENE
Houston chronicle 2/15/07
How far is Mayor Bill White willing to go to clean up Houston’s air?
REFINERY RANKED 2ND ON ENVIRONMENTALIST LIST
Baytown Sun 2/10/07
Exxon Mobil’s Baytown complex has topped the list of the nation’s largest refineries, but now been placed on a list that is less illustrious.
GULF COAST REFINERIES LEAD IN POLLUTION — REPORT
TXU FIGHTS FOR 11 NEW COAL PLANTS AT $10 BILLION TAB
Houston Chronicle 2/11/07
AUSTIN – Two-hundred dozen breakfast tacos arrived early at the Texas Capitol on opening day this year, waiting to fill the mouths of lawmakers and aides with almost $6,000 worth of tortillas stuffed with eggs and appreciation.
HUNDREDS PROTEST PROPOSED COAL POWER PLANTS
SHOWDOWN NEARS IN TEXAS TXU COAL PLANT BATTLE
FONT OF ENERGY
Houston Chronicle 2/14/07
It’s only a tiny drop of water compared to Texas’ vast oil and gas usage. But the state’s first geothermal lease, which lets a Nevada company explore 11,000 acres for energy-giving steam and hot water, suggests a best-case scenario for Texas’ energy future.
TEXAS WATER NEEDS REPORT DOWNPLAYS CLIMATE SHIFT
The board tasked with meeting the state’s water needs through 2060 says climate change is uncertain enough that it’s not worth accounting for in its long-range plans.
WATER FLAP WILL BE AIRED BEFORE COURT
Brazosport Facts 2/14/07
ANGLETON – Officials with the Gulf Coast Water Authority want to have a talk with Brazoria County Commissioners.
NORTHSIDE DRAWS BATTLE LINES OVER RAPID TRANSIT PROPOSAL
Houston Chronicle 2/14/07
As supporters of Metro’s planned North Bus Rapid Transit line told reporters Tuesday that the community strongly favors the project, 30 opponents made a long march in blustery winds and said the line will infringe on their property.
BANKING ON MITIGATION
American Scientist March/April 2007
Although the Clean Water Act protects U.S. wetlands, every year thousands of acres of swamps and marshes are legally destroyed and converted into golf courses, shopping malls and other forms of dry, lucrative ground. Since 1989, the goal of wetlands policy has been to achieve “no net loss,” but that remains an elusive target.
GOP STRATEGIST OUTLINES COMMUNICATION FAILURES OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS
Grist 2/9/07
In this interview from Grist, GOP strategist Frank Luntz discusses why environmentalists fail to get their message across to their opponents.
ECKELS MOVING ON, WHO’S MOVING IN?
Houston Chronicle 2/16/07
It’s now certain that Robert Eckels won’t be county judge much longer, but it’s not certain who will be.
A LATE-SEASON CHANCE AT SNOW GEESE
Houston Chronicle 2/9/07
Snow geese continue to thrive, and their mid-continent population is testament to both our success and failure as wildlife managers.