Energy & Environment
Harris County Amps Up Air, Water Quality Monitoring For Beta
Posted on · It's part of an initiative to bring real-time data to residents during storms and industrial disasters.
Energy & Environment
120 Goats Will Be Mowing The Grass At The Houston Arboretum
Posted on · The goats are part of a pilot-program to test out a more eco-friendly solution to conservation management.
Energy & Environment
After 6-Month Pause, Arkema Criminal Trial Resumes At NRG
Posted on · The trial stems from a fire that erupted at a Crosby chemical plant during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Its outcome could have implications for how industry is held responsible for preparing for natural disasters.
Energy & Environment
Climate Report Forecasts Houston Will Have Longer Heatwaves, Hotter Days And Nights By End Of Century
Posted on · Without a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Houston could see heatwaves that last up to 111 days by the end of the century, according to a new climate report.
Energy & Environment
Harris County DA Moves To Drop 2 Criminal Charges In Arkema Trial
Posted on · The company, its CEO and former Crosby plant manager still face state criminal charges for reckless emission of pollutants, from a fire that erupted at its Crosby plant during Hurricane Harvey.
In-Depth
How Far Does The Spray From A Tuba Travel? Rice Researchers Study Social Distancing For Musicians
Posted on · COVID-19’s impact on the arts industry has been devastating, and many artists are wondering how they can safely perform onstage again. So, the Houston Symphony and Rice engineers are using science to provide some answers.
News
Houston Health Department Launches COVID-19 Antibody Testing Survey
Posted on · The goal is to better understand how many people in the city have previously had COVID-19.
Energy & Environment
Cleanup Of San Jacinto River Waste Pits Now Estimated To Take 7 Years
Posted on · Local groups worry this increases the odds the Superfund site could flood again during a hurricane.
Weather
Update: Texas Sees First Laura-Related Deaths; Galveston Evacuees Set To Return From Austin
Posted on · Thousands of residents along the Gulf Coast evacuated inland, and Houston-area leaders urged the region to prepare for severe winds, as Hurricane Laura approached landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border.
Energy & Environment
EPA Finalizes Rollback Of Methane Regulations For Oil And Gas Industry
Posted on · Oil and gas operations make up the largest industrial source of methane emissions in the U.S. — and much of those emissions come from Texas, the country’s top oil and gas producer.
Energy & Environment
Proposal Would Help Protect Houston Area From Hurricanes, Create 10,000-Acre Public Park
Posted on · If built, Galveston Bay Park would be a chain of man-made islands that also protect the Ship Channel from 25-foot hurricane storm surge.
Energy & Environment
Chemical In Beirut Explosion Was Also Linked To 2 Texas Disasters
Posted on · Chemical safety regulations were put in place after an explosion in the city of West, Texas, involving more than 80,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. But those regulations were rolled back by the EPA in November.
City of Houston
Southwest Houston Salon Warehouse Catches Fire, Releasing Chemicals
Posted on · The three-alarm warehouse fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. Friday at 7830 Westpark Drive, a salon wholesaler near the 3737 Hilcroft Apartments, city officials said.
Health & Science
Houston Officials Are Using Sewage To Help Fight Coronavirus. Here’s Why
Posted on · Health officials in Houston are turning to an unlikely source to track the spread of the virus -- the city’s sewage system.
Energy & Environment
Report Finds Unsafe Levels Of Fecal Contamination At Some Texas Beaches
Posted on · Swimming in contaminated waters can cause health problems like gastrointestinal illness, ear and eye infections and skin rashes.