Environmental Headlines, May 27-June 1, 2006
FOUR HURRICANE LESSONS WE SHOULD HAVE LEARNED
Houston Chronicle, 6/1/06
Since 1851, when records were first kept, a whopping 125 hurricanes and tropical storms have at least grazed Houston, an average of nearly one a year.
OFFICIAL SAYS NORTH TEXAS CAN TAKE ALL DISASTER EVACUEES WHO NEED A PLACE
Houston Chronicle, 6/1/06
AUSTIN – While some Dallas-area officials remained adamant Wednesday that their region can’t absorb 40,000 needy evacuees from Harris County in the event of a natural disaster, one sought to assure Houstonians that North Texans would find a way to comply with the state’s request.
PREPAREDNESS BECOMES THE OPERATIVE WORD
Houston Chronicle, 5/30/06
Joan and Jerry Pettit, both 59, have checked off nearly everything they need to do on their hurricane preparedness list, even though the official start of the tempestuous season does not begin until Thursday.
MOM SAYS EVERY CHILD NEEDS AN ID
Galveston County Daily, 5/29/06
GALVESTON – Just in time for hurricane season, a Pearland company has donated 6,500 identification kits to the Galveston school district. “What’s so great is they donated enough for all of our elementary school kids,” said Christine Ruiz Hopkins, the school district’s public information officer.
GAO REPORT FAULTS VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS TO CUT AIR POLLUTION
Washington Post, 5/26/06
The Bush administration’s voluntary programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by industry have yet to deliver promised results, according to a report issued yesterday by the Government Accountability Office.
STUDY FINDS GLOBAL WARMING MAY WORSEN POISON IVY
Houston Chronicle, 5/29/06
WASHINGTON – Another reason to worry about global warming: more and itchier poison ivy.
METRO PURSUES LAND FOR PLAN TO CONNECT RAIL AND BUS LINES
Houston Chronicle, 5/31/06
Metro authorities are ready to make a deal with Union Pacific for property just north of downtown, hoping to turn a portion of its sprawling rail yard into a central station for Metro buses and trains.
EXXON MOBIL MEETING IN DALLAS DRAWS PROTESTERS
Houston Chronicle, 5/31/06
DALLAS – Shareholders of Exxon Mobil Corp. gathered today for the oil giant’s annual meeting while oil drum-wearing demonstrators protested that the company is helping retard action against global warming.
ACTIVISTS WIN SYMBOLIC VICTORY AT EXXON MEETING
RICHWOOD HONORED FOR BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS
Brazosport Facts, 5/31/06
RICHWOOD – Years of weeding, planting and working away in the Texas sun finally have paid off for the Keep Richwood Beautiful Committee.
STATE INVESTIGATES HITCHCOCK-AREA FISH KILL
Galveston County Daily News, 5/31/06
HITCHCOCK – A weekend fish kill in the diversionary canal near FM 2004 is under investigation by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
US SENATE CONFIRMS KEMPTHORNE TO HEAD INTERIOR
Reuters, 5/28/06
WASHINGTON – The US Senate confirmed President Bush’s nominee, Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, as interior secretary Friday, after several lawmakers lifted procedural holds that allowed the vote to proceed.
ARCTIC ONCE FELT LIKE FLORIDA, STUDIES SAY
New York Times, 5/30/06
An analysis suggests that scientists have underestimated the power of greenhouse gases to warm the planet.