ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, AUGUST 14 – 17
BIOFUELS INCENTIVE WITHERS IN TEXAS
Houston Chronicle 8/14/07
The loss of a short-lived incentive for Texas biofuel producers is threatening to tip some producers into the red and may put Texas at a disadvantage with states that offer sweeteners to attract ethanol and biodiesel plants, biofuel producers said.
PORT SLASHES ITS PROPOSED BOND ISSUE BY MORE THAN HALF
Houston Chronicle 8/16/07
The Port of Houston Authority has cut its proposed bond issue to $250 million – less than half of what it originally requested, said Jim Edmonds, chairman of the port commission.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CREATED TO UPGRADE PORT SECURITY
HOUSTON TO REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO AID PARKS PLAN
Houston Chronicle 8/14/07
As details emerged Monday of new requirements for developers to provide land or pay fees for park acquisition and improvements, leaders of development groups said the city was on the verge of imposing an unfair burden on their industry.
JUDGE REFUSES TO BLOCK WHOLE FOODS TAKEOVER OF RIVAL WILD OATS
Houston Chronicle 8/16/07
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Thursday gave a tentative green light to premium grocer Whole Foods Market Inc.’s plan to buy rival Wild Oats Markets Inc., rejecting arguments the deal would stifle competition and lead to higher prices.
FTC’S WHOLE FOODS CASE REVEALED
UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR
Huston Chronicle 8/15/07
Residents, business owners and opponents and proponents of Metro’s proposed University Corridor got a chance Monday to see details of the project and hear how they can voice their opinions for the official record.
BAYTOWN PARK & RIDE MAY BE METRO BOON, RISK
Houston Chronicle 8/17/07
A new Park & Ride bus route is expected to start up by fall, the first to be operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority outside its taxing area. The route, from Baytown to downtown, could be a mixed blessing for Metro.
‘MAJORITY MINORITY’ WALLER WARY OF HOUSTON SPRAWL
Houston Chronicle 8/15/07
Drive down Texas Highway 359 and Waller County appears the same as it always has: an endless variation on an old theme of cattle, crops and horses. Look closely around the edges, however, and you’ll see small signs that a sweeping change has caught this rural enclave west of Houston in its wake.
FEW MAKE CENTERPOINT’S CRITICAL CARE PRIORITY LIST
Houston Chronicle 8/16/07
Power outages at Don Corolla’s house are more than an inconvenience. They’re life-threatening.
COUNTY LAUDS CITIES’ BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS
Brazosport Facts, 8/15/07
ANGLETON – Lake Jackson and Pearland beautification efforts received another pat on the back Tuesday.
WHERE IS OUR SHINING CITY?
Houston Chronicle 8/16/07
There are signs all the time that Houston is getting its act together – that we’re turning a corner, undergoing a paradigm shift transforming us into a new 21st century city where quality of life issues like preservation, green space and air quality take precedence.