ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, JULY 5 – 11
MAYOR WHITE: EPA COUNTS ONLY 1% OF REFINERIES’ POLLUTION
Houston Chronicle 7/11/08
Mayor Bill White on Thursday challenged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s methods for calculating emissions from large refineries and chemical plants, saying that the approach significantly underreports the amount of pollution in Houston’s skies.
TEXAS ISSUES HEALTH WARNING ON SOME GALVESTON BAY FISH
Houston Chronicle 7/9/08
State health officials today warned consumers to sharply limit consumption of spotted seatrout and catfish caught in Galveston Bay because of high levels of cancer-causing chemicals found in their flesh.
HOUSTON POPULATION GROWTH HIGHEST IN NATION
Houston Business Journal 7/10/08
More people moved to Houston than to any other large city in the United States in the 12 months up to July last year, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
TEXAS RANKED NO. 1 FOR BUSINESS BY CNBC
IN DEPTH: BEST CITIES FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
FLOODWAY ORDINANCE REVISIONS DELAYED AGAIN
Houston Chronicle 7/9/08
The City Council again delayed revisions to Houston’s controversial floodway ordinance Wednesday to give council members and affected residents time to absorb the import of last-minute amendments.
RICE TECHNOLOGY COULD RING PROFITS FROM BIOFUELS WASTE
Houston Business Journal 7/10/08
Rice University researchers have uncovered new techniques using hungry microscopic critters to convert biofuels waste into high-value chemicals that could improve the bottom line of fuel manufacturers.
PICKENS GOES FOR THE GRASS ROOTS
LOREN STEFFY: PICKENS’ ENERGY PLAN IS BOLD BUT IT WON’T WORK
IN PICTURES: AMERICA’S BEST PLACES FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
WHY DID FM 1960 STOP GROWING? EXPERTS HAVE IDEAS
Houston Chronicle 7/10/08
Thirty-five years ago it was one of the Houston area’s most desirable destinations, offering spacious houses, good public schools and freedom from the noise and crowds of urban life.
CHANGE IN THE AIR AT CITY ZONING FORUM
LOCALS STILL SUSPICIOUS OF BEACH SETBACK RULES
Galveston County Daily News 7/9/08
Local officials and residents seemed unconvinced Tuesday that they would not be forced to adopt stiffer rules proposed about building near the beach.
GALVESTON OPPOSES PLAN FOR COASTLINE REGULATIONS
TRAVELERS BUMPS UP RATES FOR COASTAL HOMEOWNERS
RAIL SERVICE COULD WIND THROUGH FORT BEND
Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster 7/2/08
A new study into a series of commuter rail lines throughout the Houston area does not include a long-envisioned service running along the east-west Union Pacific tracks parallel to U.S. 90A.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TO HELP WALKER COUNTY
SOME AREA FUEL PUMPS SHUT DOWN
Brazosport Facts 7/11/08 Wendy Schaefer and her husband wanted a gallon of gasoline, so they went to a station in Brazoria and pumped exactly one gallon.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS PLANS FOR NECHES RIVER RESERVOIR
Houston Chronicle 7/2/08
A federal judge has upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to create a national refuge on 25,000 acres of forested wetlands along the Neches River that Dallas had targeted for a major reservoir.