Houston Matters

How the EPA regulates refineries (Jan. 30, 2023)

Posted on · On Monday's show: A new report claims the EPA and state agencies are failing to regulate refineries, allowing them to dump toxic chemicals and metals into waterways -- with the top four worst offenders being in Texas.

Houston Matters

Requiring Refineries To Offer Documents And Meetings In Languages Other Than English (April 22, 2021)

Posted on · On Thursday's show: A new proposal would require refineries and chemical plants to offer documents and public meetings in languages other than English, the history of the Black cowboy in Texas, and an alternate history of the space race.

Houston Matters

Do Refinery Regulations Go Far Enough?

Posted on · A worker was injured Saturday morning when an explosion at the Pasadena Refining Systems Inc. plant started a fire, sending smoke plumes into the Pasadena air. A portion of the Houston Ship Channel was closed briefly while the Coast Guard investigated for any potential chemical releases. According to the EPA, the plant owned by Petrobras, […]

Houston Matters

Coastal Residents Wonder, What Is This White Dust Falling From The Sky?

Posted on · One day last month, something odd fell from the sky onto a community along West Bay in Galveston. It was a fine, white dust. And now, people are wondering if it has put their health at risk. News 88.7 energy and environment reporter Dave Fehling joins us to discuss his report about concerns over the […]

Houston Matters

Should Refineries Face Tighter Regulation?

Posted on · The Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday held a public hearing in Galena Park, where residents called for the federal agency to adopt stricter emissions standards for oil refineries, to reduce exposure to benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. The meeting was the second and final public hearing over the new rules, which would require oil refineries to invest […]

Full Show

EPA in Galena Park, Kindergarten Boot Camp, and Roller Derby: Houston Matters for Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Posted on · The Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday held a public hearing in Galena Park, where residents called for the federal agency to adopt stricter emissions standards for oil refineries, in order to reduce exposure to benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. The meeting was the second and final public hearing over the new rules, which would require oil refineries […]