AIR POLLUTION BILLS

The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention’s (GHASP) legislative alert asks constituents to call their senators in favor of SB 1924, which requires TCEQ to report its progress on cleaning up the air in communities on the Air Pollution Watch List. A vote is imminent. 

Also, call your house member and ask him or her to oppose SB 1317 and its house companion bill HB 3592. The purpose of these bills is to prevent Texas cities from using nuisance ordinances to address air pollution that impacts their residents, if the pollution originates outside the city limits. Houston Mayor Bill White has successfully used the nuisance ordinance to reduce toxic air pollution in Southeast Houston, and has shown that it is a vital tool for protecting public health. This vote will be close.

CEC member Environmental Defense reports that another air bill needing action is SB 529 by Watson. This bill would help retrofit old diesel powered school buses and bring the up to current standards to reduce the pollution that children are exposed to. The bill has passed the Senate. Ask you house member to support the bill and its companion bill HB1291 by Hochberg.