Posted on · A report released Tuesday by the Environmental Integrity Project found that five industrial facilities in Harris County accounted for 45 of the 119 "excessive" emissions events reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality between September 2016 and August 2022. None was deemed to be a "chronic" polluter by the state agency.
Posted on · Scientists from across the country are in Houston this summer to study whether tiny particles like soot and dust are making storms more intense.
Posted on · The proposed plant is near residential homes and a recently-built public park that accommodates kids and adults with disabilities.
Posted on · Every 12 years, state agencies undergo a performance evaluation to make them more efficient.
Posted on · After years of dealing with toxic air pollution, residents of overburdened communities are taking matters into their own hands and installing a growing network of community air monitors.
Posted on · A new report analyzing data gathered by the TECQ finds the drop stemmed largely from the pandemic-related downturn in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, and rising production in 2021 is already leading to a comparable rise in illegal pollution.
Posted on · In a petition to the EPA, residents allege Texas has failed to adequately address sulfur dioxide emissions from the Oxbow Calcining plant, impacting the predominantly low income, black neighborhood.
Posted on · Though some facilities do emit formaldehyde directly, some 95% of the formaldehyde in Houston's air is formed by other chemicals reacting together, making it harder to regulate.
Posted on · State documents show facilities released some 700,000 pounds of excess air pollutants last week, as they faced electrical outages and equipment failures due to the severe winter weather.
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: New efforts to monitor pollution after natural disasters, navigating a transition of power when one candidate won’t concede the election, how bars are adapting to prevent the spread COVID-19, and a documentary about the iconic Houston nightclub Numbers.
Posted on · In 2019, industrial facilities in the Houston area alone emitted more than 23 million pounds of air pollutants beyond what they’re permitted for, according to a new report.
Posted on · State documents show dozens of requests from petrochemical companies to suspend routine monitoring for chemical leaks due to the pandemic. Companies say it’s necessary to keep staff members safe from COVID-19, but environmentalists warn it puts fenceline communities at risk.
Posted on · Austin saw the largest decrease in ozone pollution during its stay-at-home order, while Houston was average and El Paso had the smallest reduction.
Posted on · Even as Houston’s air quality shows signs of improvement, environmentalists are worried about pollution from industry, following recent EPA rollbacks. At the same time, emerging research suggests a link between pollution and COVID-19 death rates.
Posted on · The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.