ECONOTES 2011-06-29: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region
Featured
- Unwanted guests, Invasive Species (Shannon Tompkins – Houston Chronicle, 06/22/2011)
Scientists are working primarily in the Galveston Bay conducting surveys and collecting samples to catalog alien and invasive species, which are non-native organisms that cause ecological or economic damage. The scientists are trying to understand and monitor the impact of the growing number of alien/invasive species in Texas. This information can help to maintain environmental and economic health of the area.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story - Houston development alters winds increasing smog (Jay Blazek Crossley – Houston Tomorrow, 06/23/2011)
Houston has some of the highest levels of ground-level ozone and air pollutants in the United States. A new study shows that focusing on the city’s development patterns and adding to the park system could improve air quality. A greener city with lakes and ponds instead of pavement could lower the night-time temperature and create stronger winds, which would blow pollution out to the Gulf.
http://www.houstontomorrow.org/ - TCEQ won’t pursue foreign smog relief (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 06/22/2011)
The TCEQ has denied an attorney’s attempt to get a break on smog rules for Texas because of foreign-born pollution. The attorney claimed that oil refiners and chemical makers are spending billions of extra dollars to control smog because of pollution from other countries, such as Mexico.
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/
EcoNotes
- 29 June
- Houston Water Conservation Report (Jim Guidry – Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/story
- Houston Water Conservation Report (Jim Guidry – Guidry News)
- 28 June
- We all have a stake in the future of the Gulf of Mexico (Larry McKinney – Texas Parks and Wildlife)
http://www.tpwmagazine.com - Metro to get $150 million for light rail (David Crossley – Houston Tomorrow)
http://www.houstontomorrow.org - With demands on our lakes increasing, now is the time to take care of future water needs in Texas (Larry D. Hodge – Texas Parks and Wildlife)
http://www.tpwmagazine.com - Dirt: The key to restoring wetlands, task force says (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story - The state of Texas water is complicated, with challenges around every bend (Carter P. Smith – Texas Parks and Wildlife)
http://www.tpwmagazine.com - Use caution over holiday weekend (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com - DPS urges Texans to help prevent wildfires (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com - Feds: All of drought-stricken Texas now a disaster (Betsy Blaney – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story/
- We all have a stake in the future of the Gulf of Mexico (Larry McKinney – Texas Parks and Wildlife)
- 27 June
- Keep Our Waters Clean: A Message to Boaters from the Galveston Bay Foundation (Galveston Bay Foundation)
http://www.houstonnewcomerguides.com/news/ - Texas Faces Costliest Wildfire Season on Record (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Update on Waters of the U.S. Draft Guidance (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/ - TCEQ restricts additional junior water rights (EPA News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/news
- Keep Our Waters Clean: A Message to Boaters from the Galveston Bay Foundation (Galveston Bay Foundation)
- 26 June
- Cities issue warnings for water violators (Chris Paschenko – The Galveston County Daily News)
http://galvestondailynews.com/story/ - Foundation reminds boaters to help keep bay clean (The Baytown Sun)
http://baytownsun.com/news/
- Montgomery, water company finalize agreement (Brad Meyer – Your Conroe News)
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/
- Cities issue warnings for water violators (Chris Paschenko – The Galveston County Daily News)
- 25 June
- City has kept area faucets running — so far (Jennifer Radcliffe – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story - Economic Impact Estimates on Dyer Mills, Bearing fires (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/story
- City has kept area faucets running — so far (Jennifer Radcliffe – Houston Chronicle)
- 24 June
- Heat index rises despite recent rain (Ben Tinsley – The Baytown Sun)
http://baytownsun.com/news/ - EPA To Study Nat gas Fracking In Five U.S. States (Timothy Gardner – Planet Ark News)
http://planetark.org/ - Floods To North, But Drought Spreads In South (Carey Gillam – Planet Ark News)
http://planetark.org/ - Keep Friendswood Beautiful Recognized as Silver Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/story
- Heat index rises despite recent rain (Ben Tinsley – The Baytown Sun)
- 23 June
- TCEQ says drought planning essential (TCEQ News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/ - Houston development alters winds increasing smog (Jay Blazek Crossley – Houston Tomorrow)
http://www.houstontomorrow.org/ - New Lofty Heights for Sheldon Lake State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ - ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ litterbag designs unveiled (The Baytown Sun)
http://baytownsun.com/news/ - Houston Snags National Energy Tradeshow (Andrew Schneider – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Inaugural Total Energy USA trade show bound for Houston 2012 (Alan Halter – Houston Tomorrow)
http://www.houstontomorrow.org/ - Roanoke firm that recycles oil field wastewater is expanding into South Texas (Jack Z. Smith – Star-Telegram)
http://www.star-telegram.com - EPA Selects Sites in Louisiana and Texas for National Study on Hydraulic Fracturing (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ - TCEQ won’t pursue foreign smog relief (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ - As Drought Sears Texas, TPW Magazine Marks 10 Years of Water Insight (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/ - H.R. 2284, The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act of 2011 (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com
- TCEQ says drought planning essential (TCEQ News)
- 22 June
- TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $600,639 (TCEQ News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/ - In Texas, as elsewhere, cities are taking the lead in climate-energy action (Texas Climate News)
http://texasclimatenews.org/ - City of Houston Implements Stage One Water Conservation Measures (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com - Houston Lures Clean Energy Companies Seeking New Home Base (Maria Gallucci – SolveClimate News)
http://solveclimatenews.com/news/ - Unwanted guests, Invasive Species (Shannon Tompkins – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story - TCEQ won’t pursue foreign smog relief (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story
- TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $600,639 (TCEQ News)
- 20 June
- Texas Awarded Federal Grant for Private Land Wildlife Recreation, River Access (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia - Texas: Drillers Must Disclose ‘Fracking’ Chemicals (The New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/
- Texas Awarded Federal Grant for Private Land Wildlife Recreation, River Access (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
- 15 June
- EPA Seeks Small Business Participation on Wastewater Discharge Rule for Steam Electric Power Plants (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/
- EPA Seeks Small Business Participation on Wastewater Discharge Rule for Steam Electric Power Plants (EPA News)