ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, APRIL 28 – MAY 4
PARKS PLAN ADVANCES IN HOUSE
Houston Chronicle 5/3/07
Lawmakers took a step Wednesday to beef up state parks by removing a funding cap that has contributed to a serious decline in many of Texas’ 114 parks.
HOUSTON MAYOR’S CLEAN-AIR PLAN SUFFERS SETBACK
Houston Chronicle 5/2/07
Mayor Bill White’s plans to clean up Houston’s air were dealt a blow Tuesday when the Senate tentatively passed a measure that would prohibit local governments from regulating pollution coming from outside their boundaries.
LAWMAKERS, PERRY FACE SHOWDOWN ON TOLL ROADS
Houston Chronicle 4/28/07
A strong Senate vote Friday likely will force a showdown between Texas lawmakers and Gov. Rick Perry over toll roads and transportation issues.
AUDITORS: TRANSPORTATION ‘FUNDING GAP’ LESS THAN ESTIMATED
ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES NEW ENERGY DRILLING
New York Times 5/1/07
The move would end a ban on drilling in environmentally sensitive areas along the coasts of Alaska and Virginia.
US SETS NEW OIL DRILLING OFF FLA., ALASKA, VA.
BAYPORT SITE CHECKS OUT FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION
Houston Business Journal 5/1/07
Gulf Ethanol Corp. has moved one step closer to opening an ethanol blending facility along the Houston ship channel, finding in a preliminary assessment that power and water requirements at a Bayport Industrial District site would be more than adequately met.
LIBERTARIAN ECONOMIST LIKES HOUSTON’S URBAN PLANNING
Houston Chronicle 429/07
Houstonians who applaud light rail and public spending to encourage dense urban development could have honed their debating skills here recently against economist Randal O’Toole, a senior fellow for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. He spoke April 20 to the Houston Property Rights Association, and with Chronicle reporter Rad Sallee.
HONEYBEE DIE-OFF THREATENS FOOD SUPPLY
Environmental News Network 5/3/07
Unless someone or something stops it soon, the mysterious killer that is wiping out many of the nation’s honeybees could have a devastating effect on America’s dinner plate, perhaps even reducing us to a glorified bread-and-water diet.
FEELING WARMTH, SUBTROPICAL PLANTS MOVE NORTH
New York Times 5/3/07
Many experts agree that climate change has meant a longer growing season and a more robust selection.
A WILDER AND UNTAMED BIG BEND
Houston Chronicle 5/1/07
BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK — More than 30 miles from the nearest paved road and surrounded by a sea of prickly brush, this was not an obvious spot for a new public campsite.
PLANETS SHINE IN MAY SKY
Houston Chronicle 5/1/07
May is a wonderful month for observing planets. Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter all are putting on a show running from sunset to after midnight.