ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, MAY 5 – 11
SCHOOL BUSES ARE CHAMBERS OF CONCENTRATED DIESEL POLLUTION: THE LEGISLATURE CAN FIX THEM
Houston Chronicle 5/10/07 A few months back, researchers found that particles – tiny grains from cars and factories – were a key cause of fatal heart disease in women. The obvious precaution: avoid hot spots such as roadsides during rush hour.
CLEAN-UP EFFORT FOR SCHOOL BUSES STALLS
PERRY VOWS TO VETO TOLL ROAD MORATORIUM BILL
Houston Chronicle 5/10/07 Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday threatened to veto a transportation bill that includes a moratorium on toll roads and to call the Legislature back into special session even if lawmakers override his veto.
HOUSE VOTES FOR GAS-TAX BREAK
Austin American-Statesman 5/9/07 Motorists would not pay the 20-cent state tax on each gallon of gas for three months – perhaps this summer – under legislation that was tentatively approved by the Texas House on Tuesday.
STATE BAN ON SMOKING IN BARS LOSING STEAM
Houston Chronicle 5/8/07 Hopes for a statewide ban on smoking in bars haven’t gone up in smoke, but backers are trying to figure out how to fix the proposal after it was gutted by a House amendment.
JUDGE OKS BUILDING PERMITS ON GALVESTON WETLANDS
Houston Chronicle 5/11/07 A federal judge dealt a setback to environmentalists Thursday in a ruling that allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue issuing building permits on Galveston Island without considering the cumulative effect on the environment.
CITY SHELVES RESULTS OF GEOHAZARD STUDY
WHITE URGES PORTS TO GO ‘GREEN’
Houston Business Journal 5/4/07 Mayor Bill White, during Friday’s closing session of the International Association of Ports and Harbors World Ports Conference in Houston, encouraged the world’s ports executives to create facilities that reduce environmental impacts.
MASTER PLAN AUTHORIZATION FOR NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL SET TO BE SIGNED
BEACH LAW CHALLENGE TOSSED OUT
Brazosport Facts 5/4/07 A ruling in favor of the Texas Open Beaches Act likely will have little impact on other lawsuits filed to defend property-owner rights in Surfside.
FEDERAL JUDGE BACKS STATE ON STRUCTURES ALONG GULF
FDA NOW CONFIRMS LOCAL CIGUATERA CASE
Galveston County Daily News 5/8/07 Federal and state officials are pondering issuing safety warnings after a fish from the Gulf of Mexico tested positive for ciguatera
LAW LOOPHOLE MAKES NONPROFITS PAY UP
Galveston County Daily News 5/6/07 Some nonprofits have been forced to shut down because high power bills make switching on the lights even one day too expensive.
BABY, IT’S COLD INSIDE
Houston Chronicle 5/5/07 In Chicago and Minnesota, it’s winter that tests the soul. In Houston, it’s summer.