Energy & Environment

Texas To Make Environmental Proceedings More Accessible To Non-English Speakers, Following Civil Rights Complaint

Posted on · Air and water permits for industrial facilities are often granted in predominantly Latino communities, but environmental justice advocates say language barriers often make it hard for community members to participate in the public process.

Houston Matters

What Are the Environmental Consequences to Houston’s High Ozone Levels?

Posted on · On Monday’s program, we discussed how Greater Houston has long exceeded federal standards for ozone levels and is facing new, even tougher standards set forth in the Clean Air Act. That, according to the Greater Houston Partnership, may create circumstances that could prompt companies wanting to build new industrial plants to do so outside of […]

Full Show

Ozone Standards Follow-up and Championship Quidditch: Thursday’s Show (August 25, 2016)

Posted on · Yeah. You’re looking at a Quidditch match above. More about that below. First, on Monday’s program, we discussed how Greater Houston has long exceeded federal standards for ozone levels and is facing new, even tougher standards set forth in the Clean Air Act. That, according to the Greater Houston Partnership, may create circumstances that could […]

Energy & Environment

Texas Has Thousands Of Bad Dams, Two In Houston Deemed ‘Extremely High Risk’

Posted on · As Houston Public Media reported last month, millions of dollars are being spent to repair two dams that hold back storm water on the west side of Houston. They are among over 7,000 dams listed as “hazardous” in Texas. But because so many people and structures would be at risk should these two dams fail, they’re getting attention.

Houston Matters

Is a Houston-Area Coal-Fired Power Plant Emitting Too Much of a Deadly Pollutant?

Posted on · It's sort of overlooked here in Greater Houston amid a prominent oil and gas industry, but we do still have coal-fired power plants. And a recent report from the Sierra Club is singling out one such plant in Fort Bend County. Today, we talk with the Sierra Club’s Chrissy Mann. She's the Senior Campaign Representative […]

Full Show

The Future of Coal and Our Aging Water Infrastructure: Monday’s Show (September 28, 2015)

Posted on · It's sort of overlooked here in Greater Houston amid a prominent oil and gas industry, but we do still have coal-fired power plants. And a recent report from the Sierra Club is singling out one such plant in Fort Bend County. On today’s edition of Houston Matters, we talk with the Sierra Club about why […]

Houston Matters

Should We Trust Texas Companies to Self-Report Industrial Accidents?

Posted on · While government authorities are tasked with investigating industrial accidents, those efforts, particularly here in Texas, are often triggered by industry “self-reporting.” But how does that work exactly? And how far do we defer to and trust companies to report accidents? We talk about the concept of industry self-reporting, consider some recent examples, and welcome your […]

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Self-Reporting, Silver Alerts, and Symphony Broadcast Preview: Houston Matters for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2014

Posted on · While government authorities are tasked with investigating industrial accidents, those efforts, particularly here in Texas, are often triggered by industry "self-reporting." But how does that work exactly? And how far do we defer to and trust companies to report accidents? On this edition of Houston Matters, we talk about the concept of industry self-reporting, and […]

Houston Matters

How Should Erosion Be Stopped Along Buffalo Bayou?

Posted on · Houston residents have until June 30 to submit public comments on a controversial plan to eliminate vegetation and trees along the banks of a 1.5-mile stretch of Buffalo Bayou running from the southeast corner of Memorial Park to the eastern edge of River Oaks Country Club. The plan, put forth by the Harris County Flood […]

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Air Quality, Vision Care, and Galveston’s Sacred Places: Houston Matters for Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014

Posted on · For years, the state of Texas and the federal Environmental Protection Agency have clashed over regulations covering major air pollution sources, like refineries. Now, that longstanding legal dispute may be giving way – somewhat. Last week, Texas and the EPA reached a deal on portions of the state's clean air plan, concerning the state's "flexible […]