ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, JULY 19 – 25
CONGRESS STILL STALLED ON OIL PLANS AS IT ADJOURNS FOR BREAK
Houston Chronicle 7/25/08
With pump prices hovering near all-time highs and voters demanding action from Washington, Congress seems certain to leave town for its summer vacation next week without taking steps to deal with the nation’s energy crisis.
REPORT: TEXAS DRIVERS SPEND 6 PERCENT OF INCOME ON GASOLINE
Houston Business Journal 8/23/08
Drivers in Texas spend nearly 6 percent of their income on gasoline, twice as much as what drivers in some states spend, according to a report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
US EPA DELAYS DECISION ON TEXAS ETHANOL WAIVER
Reuters 8/23/08
The US Environmental Protection Agency said on Tuesday it will not meet a July 24 deadline for ruling on Texas’ request that the government reduce the federal mandate on how much ethanol must be blended into gasoline this year
LIMITED BUILDING IN FLOODWAYS WINS COUNCIL APPROVAL
Houston Chronicle 7/23/08
City Council agreed Wednesday to allow construction on vacant land in Houston floodways under certain conditions, relaxing rules it enacted two years ago that prompted fierce protests from affected property owners.
2ND MEMBER OF STATE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION RESIGNS
Houston Chronicle 7/24/08
Julie Caruthers Parsley said Wednesday she will leave the Public Utility Commission on Sept. 2.
METRO TO REROUTE PLANNED RAIL LINE TO SPARE PART OF WHEELER
Houston Chronicle 7/24/08
The Metropolitan Transit Authority board voted Thursday to reroute the planned University light rail line away from a half-mile stretch of Wheeler Avenue following months of entreaties by residents and elected officials.
REPORT: IMPROVE USE OF MASS TRANSIT IN EVACUATIONS
Houston Chronicle 7/25/08
Houston and other urban areas should make better use of mass transit in future evacuations, especially for residents who cannot or do not drive, a federally funded report requested by Congress says.
BAYTOWN BUS SERVICE OFFERS FREE TRIAL
The Baytown Sun 7/24/08
Paulina Carillo of the Baytown Resource and Assistance Center is confident that “the bus has finally arrived” for many Baytonians.
OFFICIALS TRACK AREA’S FUTURE MOBILITY NEEDS
Brazosport Facts 7/23/08
In 2035, Alvin and Pearland residents with jobs in Houston will be able wake up, make their way to a station off Highway 35 or FM 521 and take the morning train to work.
TXDOT CAMPAIGN AT CENTER OF DEBATE OVER GOVERNMENT ADS
SEC CHARGES BIOFUEL COMPANY CEO WITH FRAUD
Baytown Sun 7/19/08
Sustainable Energy Corp. CEO John Rivera jokingly invites skeptics of his biofuel-making process to join the “Liar’s Club.”
PORT OF HOUSTON APPROVES $10M IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
Houston Business Journal 7/24/08
The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority approved Wednesday about $10 million in environmental improvements for the Bayport Container Terminal. The improvements include a future Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED)-rated structure.
CALIFORNIA PORTS’ POLLUTION PLAN PROVES A BIG HAUL
BAYTOWN EAGLE SCOUT MODIFIES BNC GARDEN
Baytown Sun 7/21/08
A fourth-generation Baytonian, 17-year-old Marc Lavin didn’t have a tough time selecting a project to complete before becoming an Eagle Scout.
CLEAN TECH INTRO: THE SOLAR FAMILY
Environmental News Network
Solar power means more than solar panels. These days it can also mean collectors, towers, dyes, oh my! Here’s a guide to (most of) the different kinds of solar technologies that are out there today.