ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, SEPTEMBER 22 – 28
NRG SEEKS FIRST US NUCLEAR PLANT PERMIT IN DECADES
Reuters 9/25/07
NRG Energy will file an application with regulators on Tuesday to build two new nuclear reactors in Texas, the first such request in the United States in 29 years, the company said Monday.
TWO NEW NUCLEAR POWER UNITS IN PROSPECT FOR TEXAS
AREA NUCLEAR PLANT PLANS DRAW OUT PROPONENTS, OPPONENTS
JUDGE SHOOTS DOWN CITY LAW THAT CURBS BILLBOARDS
Houston Chronicle 9/27/07
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the city from enforcing its 27-year-old sign code, ruling the regulations could violate free speech protections in the First Amendment.
METRO GOES FULL SPEED AHEAD WITH $875 MILLION BUDGET
Houston Chronicle 9/26/07
With a busy year ahead, including the start of work on a new light rail line and four Bus Rapid Transit lines, the Metropolitan Transit Authority board approved an $875 million budget this week for fiscal year 2008.
EXPRESS READY FOR TAKEOFF
Baytown Sun 9/27/07
METRO buses ready for Monday’s first passengers.
TXDOT GOING BROKE, OFFICIALS SAY
Dallas Morning News 9/27/07
State transportation officials announced today that rising costs, dwindling federal funds, and lawmakers’ opposition to private-sector investment in toll projects have combined to force it to sharply scale back construction plans.
TOLL ROAD PLANS ATTRACT WRATH OF CITIZENS
ACTIVIST SEEKS TO HALT WETLAND DEVELOPMENT
Galveston County Daily News 9/25/07
A member of the local Sierra Club chapter wants voters to prohibit new building on the island’s geologically sensitive areas.
PORT TO CHIP IN FOR DOWNTOWN STUDY
Galveston County Daily News 9/25/07
A $300,000 study will examine whether a transportation hub would better link the port with the downtown shopping district.
QUINTANA READY FOR LNG BOOST TO REVENUE
Brazosport Facts 9/26/07
Even before construction of the Freeport LNG project in Quintana is complete, ships laden with liquefied natural gas are scheduled to offload their cargo.
MAYOR JOINS RESIDENTS FIGHTING HIGH-RISE NEAR RICE
Houston Chronicle 9/27/07
The city of Houston will use “any appropriate power under law” to alter a planned 23-story building that would tower over single-family homes in neighborhoods near Rice University, Mayor Bill White said Wednesday.
MAYOR VIEWS PROGRESS ONE PEDAL AT A TIME
Houston Chronicle 9/26/07
Wearing a white helmet and multicolored jersey, Mayor Bill White led a pack of cyclists Sunday morning on a 12-mile tour of housing projects in northeast Houston. His Honor and his wheeled entourage kicked up dust, set dogs to barking and surprised churchgoers in the Settegast and Trinity Gardens neighborhoods.
VOLUNTEERS MANICURE BEACHES
Brazosport Facts 9/23/07
1,100 pitch in to pick up litter on county coastline.
GREEN: THE NEW BLACK
Forbes.com 9/26/07
Go ahead–call Michael Dell a green CEO. He’s boasting about it.