ECONOTES 2012-04-30: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region
Featured
- Standard for Benzene Levels in Texas (Vicki Wolf – C.L.E.A.N., April, 2012)
Unacceptable Only in Texas would a Houston mayor’s task force declare that current levels of exposure to benzene pose unacceptable increased risk for public health in one year, and in the next year the state agency responsible for protecting the environment and public health increases acceptable levels for exposure to the toxic pollutant. Recent studies continue to confirm that benzene exposure at these levels is too risky for public health.
www.cleanhouston.org - Why We Don’t Drink More Waste Water (Terrence Henry – StateImpact, 04/24/2012)
As water becomes scarcer in Texas, new solutions are discussed, including desalination, conservation, and new reservoirs. One more solution that is not as widely discussed is treating wastewater. By focusing on using treated wastewater, municipal water supplies could increase by 27%. This method is safe, efficient, ecologically sound, and sensible, but there are psychological barriers that prevent citizens from advocating for this method.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2012/04/24/op-doc-taking-the-waste-out-of-wastewater/ - Texans might see cooler summer, lower electricity use (Fuel Fix, 04/24/2012)
Forecasters are predicting lower Texas temperatures this summer due to the possibility of El Nino. This could mean less energy use and demand. May will probably be warmer than normal, but then the pattern could shift from last year’s record-breaking summer.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/04/24/texans-might-see-cooler-summer-lower-electricity-use/ - Galveston Island Tree Conservancy Arbor Day Event (Jim Guidry – Guidry News, 04/29/2012)
The Galveston Island Tree Conservancy held its first major fundraiser on the 27th. This was part of a project to plant 5,000 trees a year to help replace the more than 40,000 that were killed by Hurricane Ike. The ceremony included a tree planting and dedication of a tree sculpture donated by Robert Lynch in honor of his grandmother Fannie Adoue. http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000042840d
EcoNotes
- 30 April
- Radioactive Waste Dump Opens In Texas, Environmentalists Worried (Jim Forsyth – Planet Ark News)
http://planetark.org/ - 27 April
- Bike to the Future: Electric Bicycles Hit the Road in Austin (Yana Skorobogatov – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Texas Army Bases Go Green, but Challenges Remain (Kate Galbraith – The Texas Tribune)
http://www.texastribune.org/ - Houston, other Texas cities rank low on public transit list (Olivia Pulsinelli – Houston Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/ - Build more bike paths (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - Opening Statement of Ken Kramer, Director, Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, at Today’s “Water for People & the Environment†Conference in Austin (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - Fort Bend County residents provide ideas for future of Greater Houston (Michael Sudhalter – Your Fort Bend News)
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/ - 26 April
- Forecasters Say Summer Could Bring Fewer Hurricanes (Jillian Schantz Patrick – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - The Race to Save the Pronghorn of Far West Texas (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - It’s the End for Chesapeake CEO’s Lucrative Perk (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Texas EPA Official Apologizes for ‘Crucify Them’ Comments (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/
- 25 April
- American Lung Association’s Annual State of the Air Report Finds Mixed Air Quality Results in Harris County (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - New Report Shows Houston in Top Ten Worst Cities for Smog Pollution (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - White House Highlights Dr. Jackie Cole as a Leader in Greening our Cities and Towns and as a “Champion of Change†(Guidry News)
http://guidrynews.com/ - Houston Air Quality Improving, But Still Dirty (David Barer – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Orphans of the Oil Fields: The Cost of Abandoned Wells (Dave Fehling – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - High Roller Wells Cited for ‘Serious Violations’ After Pearsall Explosion (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 24 April
- Sen. Hutchison introduces Neches River study bill (KETK News)
http://www.ketknbc.com/ - Why We Don’t Drink More Waste Water (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Tips for Buying Renewable Electricity (EarthShare)
http://www.earthshare.org/ - Is water on the public’s mind? Not really. Not yet. (David Wogan – Scientific American)
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/ - TAMUG students join Galveston residents to find and save endangered sea turtles (Guidry News)
http://guidrynews.com/ - 23 April
- Texas Sierra Club Holds Largest-Ever Aerial Photo for Earth Day (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - Eyes of the Spill: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster in Photos (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 22 April
- Tompkins: New site identifying marine life launches (Shannon Tompkins – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - 21 April
- Moody Gardens Celebrates Earth Day with Donation to Help Save Belize Rainforests (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - 19 April
- EarthShare Staff Go Renewable (EarthShare)
http://www.earthshare.org/ - 18 April
- EPA to regulate air pollution from gas drilling (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Lawmakers look at ways to make city farming easier (Gary Scharrer – Houston Chronicle)
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