In-Depth
Harris County Moves To Crack Down On Environmental Crime
Posted on · The county has tripled the number of environmental prosecutors at the District Attorney’s Office, following a series of chemical plant fires.
Energy & Environment
News
Kingwood Residents Push For Disaster Declaration Over Flood Damage
Posted on · Homes in the working-class neighborhood of Elm Grove took up to 18 inches of water during last week’s thunderstorms.
Business
Chevron Bows Out Of Fight For Anadarko Petroleum
Posted on · The bidding war between Chevron and Occidental surprised those who follow the energy sector. No one had seen a similar grab in decades.
Energy & Environment
Report: Permian Basin Oil Producers Are Releasing High Amounts of Harmful Emissions
Posted on · A report by the Environmental Integrity Project concluded sulfur dioxide is mainly being released when oil and gas companies use flares to burn off excess natural gas.
Business
Anadarko Now Favors Occidental Offer Over Chevron Deal
Posted on · Occidental's offer is worth about $57 billion in cash and stock, including debt and book value of non-controlling interest.
Energy & Environment
Army Corps Nearly Finished Replacing Gates On Addicks And Barker Dams
Posted on · The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still years away from work on larger-scale flood mitigation projects, such as building underground tunnels to drain the reservoirs in an emergency.
Energy & Environment
Study: Houston Is 2nd Most Dangerous City For Migrating Birds
Posted on · Millions of birds migrate through the Houston-area skies during spring migration, which spans from March 15 to May 15.
Politics
Harris County Beefs Up DA’s Environmental Crimes Division In Wake of ITC, KMCO Disasters
Posted on · The move comes two months after Democratic county commissioners blocked a similar proposal by the District Attorney’s Office, as part of a request to hire 102 new prosecutors.
Business
Berkshire Steps Into Fight For Anadarko On Occidental’s Side
Posted on · If Anadarko does walk away from Chevron, it would have to pay a $1 billion breakup fee under its agreement.
Energy & Environment
In Wake Of Houston-Area Chemical Fires, Texas Senate Panel Weighs Input On Stronger Storage Tank Regulations
Posted on · The Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs took public testimony on a bill that would strengthen state oversight of above-ground drums that hold hazardous hydrocarbons.
Top Stories
Harris County Files Criminal Charges Against ITC, Growing Housing Costs For Houston Low-Income Families, Texas Brings Back Cursive, And More
Posted on · These are some of the stories Houston Public Media is covering.
News
Harris County Files Criminal Environmental Charges Against ITC For Water Pollution
Posted on · Prosecutors allege the company released highly toxic chemicals into Tucker Bayou.
Energy & Environment
Houston-Area Residents Air Concerns At Town Hall On Deer Park Fire
Posted on · More than a hundred people gathered at a community meeting in Houston’s East End this week, looking for answers.
Energy & Environment
Occidental Makes Competing Offer For Anadarko Petroleum
Posted on · Houston-based Occidental said the proposed combination would bolster its position in the Permian Basin.
Houston Matters
Why Did The State Of Texas Sue ITC And KMCO So Quickly After Recent Fires?
Posted on · Meanwhile, the state never filed suit after the deadly explosion at the fertilizer plant in West. The Texas Tribune's Kiah Collier gives us a closer look.