Citizens' Environmental Coalition » EcoNotes http://www.cechouston.org/index.php Environmental News and Resources for the Houston region Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:46:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 ECONOTES 2010-07-28: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/28/econotes-2010-07-28-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/28/econotes-2010-07-28-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:00:15 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7730 Featured

Econotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/28/econotes-2010-07-28-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-07-21: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/21/econotes-2010-07-21-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/21/econotes-2010-07-21-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:56:00 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7647 Featured

Econotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/21/econotes-2010-07-21-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-07-14: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/14/econotes-2010-07-14-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/14/econotes-2010-07-14-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:52:32 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7603 Featured

  1. Most Tarballs Hitting Texas NOT From Big Spill (So Far) (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1278712267
  2. Environmental groups win round in coal plant fight (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7098447.html
  3. Groups allege illegal emissions at Exxon Mobil’s Baytown plant (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7098205.html
  4. ReNew Houston plan reaches petition goal (KTRK-TV Channel 13)
    http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7543581
  5. Houston water rate increase validated in court (Jim Middleton – Texas Tribune)
    http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=10359
  6. Houston and Galveston port officials say Pelican Island a candidate for major facility (Jenalia Moreno – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7102025.html

Econotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/14/econotes-2010-07-14-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 Going Green with Yolanda Green highlights CEC agencies every month. Sponsored by Green Bank. http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/14/going-green-with-yolanda-green-highlights-cec-agencies-every-month/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/14/going-green-with-yolanda-green-highlights-cec-agencies-every-month/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:18:11 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7600 Going Green banner

With the support of Green Bank, Yolanda has been producing monthly segments on leading CEC agencies.

A weekly half-hour program showcasing businesses, commercial products, government programs, and local initiatives that promote sustainable living in Texas. The show entertains and educates viewers of all ages as it advocates green living in Houston’s growing community. Going Green with Yolanda Green welcomes “green” story ideas and enjoys highlighting environmental issues for a cleaner, greener planet. www.39online.com. Check out previous programs:

Texas Campaign for the Environment (Zac Trahan, Patsy Gillham, Mike Buckles)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VDQxEgky2Y

Earth Day Houston Festival 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YvYw5c6nrs&feature=channel

Earth Day Houston Interview (Mike Barone & Matt Tejada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOcKGYANs30&feature=channel

Houston Tomorrow (David Crossley)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvOG6fpm1FU&feature=channel

Houston’s CEC and the Willow Waterhole (Rachel Powers, Becky Edmondson, Karen Cullar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTT6W8HC8Hw&feature=channel

Trees for Houston (Barry Ward)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTT6W8HC8Hw&feature=channel

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/14/going-green-with-yolanda-green-highlights-cec-agencies-every-month/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-07-04: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/07/econotes-2010-07-04-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/07/econotes-2010-07-04-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:44:58 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7543 Featured

  1. EPA Overturns 16-Year-Old Texas Permit Program (Ramit Plushnick-Masti – Click2Houston)
    The 16 year old Texas Permit program was officially overturned by the Environmental Protection Agency because it violates the Clean Air Act. This decision will force about 125 refineries and plants to get new permits and possibly update their equipment in order to comply with federal regulations.
    http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/24097577/detail.html
  2. Battle Over Bacteria in Texas Lakes and Streams (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News)
    Many people swim in Texas lakes and streams to beat the heat. Lately, there has been consideration over the level of bacteria that can be in the water and still be considered safe. Scientists say that allowing a higher level of bacteria in the water would only slightly increase risk of becoming sick. This allowance would also take 62 bodies of water off the list of polluted waterways.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1277855497
  3. Houston commute like a walk in the park, study says (Greg Barr – Houston Business Journal)
    In an international traffic study of 20 cities, Houston tied with Melbourne, Australia for having the secomnd best commuting experience. Many drivers in Houston complain about the amount of time spent in the car and traffic conditions. Houston is far from perfect, but it is much better than many other cities according to the survey by IBM.
    http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/2010/07/houston_commute_like_a_walk_in_the_park_study_says.html?surround=lfn

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/07/07/econotes-2010-07-04-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-06-27: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/29/econotes-2010-06-27-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/29/econotes-2010-06-27-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:04 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7466 Featured

  1. Judge blocks White House ban on drilling (Jennifer A. Dlouhy – Houston Chronicle)
    The ban on deepwater drilling was struck down by a judge who reasoned that it would cause “irreparable harm to businesses.” If the ban were to stand, thousands of jobs along the Gulf Coast would be lost. There are new safety requirements for deep and shallow water drilling which must be met before any drilling can continue.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7074803.html
  2. Houston Residents Share Concerns about Tar Sands Pipeline, Refineries at Public Hearing (Guidry News)
    Some Houston residents have expressed their concern and disapproval of a  possible pipeline that would bring up to 700,000 barrels of heavy tar sands crude to the area. It could cause many damaging health effects for citizens and seems to be a step in the wrong direction as the nation tries to pursue clean energy.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000027442
  3. Young turtles swarm around oil spill (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle)
    Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are greatly affected by the oil spill. The oil is covering their nesting area and killing many. Young turtles like to head toward clusters of seaweed. Unfortunately, the oil is also drawn to the clusters of seaweed, which means a generation of hatchlings may soon be headed into the oil.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/7059426.html

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/29/econotes-2010-06-27-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-06-20: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/23/econotes-2010-06-20-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/23/econotes-2010-06-20-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:15:37 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7457 Featured

  1. Restoring Galveston Bay  Oyster Reefs (Guidry News) About 2,000 acres of oyster reefs that were damaged by Hurricane Ike are being restored. Fishermen hired by Texas Parks and Wildlife are pulling dead shell out of the sediment, which provides a surface for oyster larvae to attach and grow. The restoration of the oyster reefs is beneficial to the environment because they support much life, including oysters which are natural bio-filters.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000027390
  2. Texas Oyster Industry on Life Support After Oil Spill (Jack Williams – KUHF News) The Texas Oyster Industry is suffering because of the oil spill. The Texas oyster season closes at the end of April, making companies completely reliant on Louisiana oysters. In the last six weeks, one shrimp and oyster company saw its business drop about 95%. Although the Texas shores are not covered in oil, the impact of the spill is devastating.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1276550196
  3. Changing computer power settings has a big impact on electricity use (ABC13 News) Home electronics make up a major portion of a household’s electricity usage at about 20%. A household can majorly reduce their electric usage by managing these items. Changes in computer management alone can save the average resident more than half of one month’s usage. Other items that can save energy if turned off and managed correctly include printers, space heaters, dehumidifiers, and entertainment devices. http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2010/06/18/changing-computer-power-settings-has-a-big-impact-on-electricity-use/

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/23/econotes-2010-06-20-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-06-13: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/23/econotes-2010-06-13-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/23/econotes-2010-06-13-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:14:09 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7455 Featured

  1. Plenty Of Gulf Volunteers, Not Enough Work (Mary Foster – Click2Houston)
    The oil spill has attracted many volunteers, but the government and BP are not able to take everybody. Much of the work requires special training and special equipment, which most people do not have. The lack of available volunteer work for the public has only added to the frustration toward BP and government officials.
    http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23866742/detail.html
  2. Battle lines formed over Texas air quality (R.G. Ratcliffe – Houston Chronicle)
    Many changes, including a new Environmental Protection Agency administrator, have brought about the conflict over Texas air quality. The EPA has not been satisfied with the way the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has allowed many big companies to obtain permits for their emissions.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/7039716.html
  3. Students receive awards for bringing recycling program to campus (Katlynn Lanham – The Facts Covering Brazoria County)
    Mission Possible, an afterschool program at Lake Jackson Intermediate School, founded a recycling program on campus. The first step involved educating the students, teachers, and staff about recycling. Everybody then made an effort to sort out the recyclables into the bins placed in the school. The program has proven to be a success.
    http://thefacts.com/your_town/brazosport/article_2cfcb204-6f89-11df-96b1-001cc4c002e0.html

EcoNotes


]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/23/econotes-2010-06-13-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-05-30: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/02/7361/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/02/7361/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:15:20 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7361 Featured

  1. Bill Coats fought to beautify city by planting trees (Mike Tolson – Houston Chronicle)
    Coats, an attorney, died of cancer on May 23. He was 69. Coats had a special passion for the natural world. His dedication to enhancing Houston’s natural environment led him to help found the Hermann Park Conservancy and Trees for Houston, a naturalist organization that has planted more than 375,000 trees around the city since 1983.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7028587.html
  2. Chevron Blocks Environmental and Human Rights Advocates from Shareholder Meeting (Sea Turtle Restoration Project)
    Environmental and human rights advocates entitled to enter the Chevron shareholder meeting in Houston today were refused entry and five people arrested, including Juan Parras of Houston-based Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Solutions (and recent winner of CEC’s Community Activist Synergy Award), for non-violent civil disobedience. Several protesters donned turtle costumes to oppose Chevron projects in sea turtle habitat.
    http://seaturtles.org/article.php?id=1638
  3. Forget the Ike Dike, let’s improve building methods (John Jacob – Houston Chronicle Editorial)
    If the Ike Dike is built, we can be absolutely sure that many people will build in low-lying areas that are being avoided today. If a structural solution like the Ike Dike could end up making things worse, what are our alternatives? No. 1 is to plan where and how we build.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7024203.html
  4. Hurricane Season Predictions Illustrate Risks of Climate Change in Houston-Galveston, Texas (Guidry News)
    There have been predictions of multiple strong hurricanes this season in the Atlantic Ocean. The estimate is between 14 and 18 named storms this year, whereas the average has been 11. The coast should be prepared as they are expected to have to endure the storms, which have the potential to cause a lot of damage. Warmer waters in the tropical Atlantic is believed to be the reason for the increase in hurricanes.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026834
  5. War of Words Continues Over Texas Clean Air Rules (Wendy Siegle – KUHF News)
    The EPA believes that Texas is allowing plants to violate the federal Clean Air Act. In response, they have threatened to take away the right to issue permits for oil and gas refineries. They are battling with Governor Rick Perry who believes that Texas has taken major steps to reducing emissions and that taking away the permits would take away thousands of Texas jobs.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1274990525

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/06/02/7361/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-05-23: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/26/econotes-2010-05-23-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/26/econotes-2010-05-23-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 22:39:18 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7304 Featured

  1. GCCISD teaches kids how to put waste in place (Shannon Daughtry – The Baytown Sun)
    A new program, Waste in Place, will be implemented in Baytown’s elementary schools. The program is designed to help children learn about litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and landfills. It is meant to spark respect for the environment as well as give the kids a sense of social responsibility. The program will hopefully have a very positive impact on future generations.
    http://baytownsun.com/story/51143
  2. Cleaning Oil In Wetlands May Be Impossible (Matthew Brown – Click2Houston)
    Scientists and government officials fear that it will be impossible to remove the oil that has washed into the marshes. There have been considerations of very drastc steps such as setting the wetlands on fire or flooding the area to float out the oil. Aggressive cleanups may do more harm than good, so one option is to let nature break down the oil on its own.
    http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23644947/detail.html
  3. Exxon Valdez: What did we learn? (Eric Nalder – Houston Chronicle)
    Even after many decades, the technology for cleaning up oil spills is basically the same. There are still areas today that show the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and since, adequate funding has not been given to oil spill research. The toolkit used in these situations is still about the same. Officials are still unsure of how to handle the BP oil spill.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/7008049.html

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/26/econotes-2010-05-23-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-05-16: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/19/econotes-2010-05-16-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/19/econotes-2010-05-16-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 04:07:51 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7271 Featured

  1. Spill Could Soon Threaten Texas Beaches, Says Marine Expert (Guidry News). Winds and currents in the Gulf of Mexico are prone to change quickly. As a result, the oil spill could change directions and hit the Texas beaches. Most of the toxic components and volume will have evaporated by the time it gets here, but it could still harm bottom-dwelling organisms. If the oil does make its way to Texas, it would most likely affect the turtles and birds the most.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026506
  2. Against oil odds, Houston races to a greener future (ABC13 News). Houston may be the nation’s oil capital, but it is also taking major steps to becoming a greener city. It has over 200 new LEED-certified buildings and a 12-acre park on the rim of downtown. It is now striving to increase recycling by adding a curbside recycling service for residents. Another surprising fact is that Houston is the nations leading city in adoption of wind power.
    http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2010/05/14/against-oil-odds-houston-races-to-a-greener-future/
  3. Global warming really will make you sick (ABC13 News). Studies show that higher levels of carbon dioxide may worsen your allergies. Plants increase in size as the carbon-nitrogen air rises. They release more spores into the air, giving people more trouble with their allergies. As the climate is changing and accelerating more rapidly, allergy sufferers can only expect more rough times.
    http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2010/05/14/global-warming-really-will-make-you-sick/

  4. Battle Over Coal-Fired Plant Heats Up In Matagorda County (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News). In 2007, clean-air activists declared victory when a Dallas company agreed not to build eight coal-burning power plants in Texas. But the so-called “Texas coal wars” are not over. Thirteen new coal-fired plants are currently under construction or seeking permits or financing. One would be located in Matagorda County, just 60 miles southwest of Houston. KUHF Health Science and Technology reporter Carrie Feibel reports on the ongoing fight.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1273537579

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/19/econotes-2010-05-16-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-05-02: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/05/econotes-2010-05-02-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/05/econotes-2010-05-02-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 04:51:05 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/05/econotes-2010-05-02-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ Featured

1. Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins Again on the Texas Coast (Guidry News)

The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle population is continuing to rise as the nesting season began this year on March 15. In 1995, there were only four turtles, whereas there were 197 recorded in 2009. Volunteer organizations have played a major role in the survival of this species as they have patrolled the beaches and protected the turtles and their eggs. The public is asked to be on the lookout for the nests and to avoid disturbing the turtles.

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026057

2. Document: BP Didn’t Plan For Major Oil Spill (Cain Burdeau – Click2Houston)

At least 1.6 million gallons of oil have been spilled so far along the Gulf Coast from an offshore rig that exploded. The oil has seeped into Louisiana’s fishing grounds and nesting areas despite efforts to stop the spill. This is the worst oil spill to happen in many decades as crews have been unable to activate the underwater shutoff valve.

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23316310/detail.html

3. Nearly 7,000 volunteers haul over 131 tons of trash off Texas beaches (Guidry News)

More than 6,700 volunteers cleared more than 131 tons of trash off of the Texas beaches on Saturday for the 24th Annual Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup. There was a good turnout of volunteers that helped pick up trash. The Adopt-A-Beach program holds three big cleanup days each year, and since its first cleanup in 1986, volunteers have picked up over 7,700 tons of trash.

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026086

EcoNotes

* 6 April

o Green Power Partnership National Top 50 Green Purchases

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top50.htm

* 21 April

o Different paths to reducing CO2 in the production of electricity (Bill Dawson – TCN Journal)

http://www.texasclimatenews.org/TCNJournal/42110DifferentpathstoreducingCO2/tabid/1668/Default.aspx

* 22 April

o Group honors conservationist (Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/heights/news/6971537.html

o Kroger hosts green contest (Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/heights/news/6971533.html

* 24 April

o Giant salvinia threatens Texas lakes (Bill Miller – Star-Telegram News)

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/24/2140344/giant-salvinia-threatens-texas.html

* 25 April

o Fish kills from algae top 110,000 in 2 Texas lakes (The Dallas Morning News)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D9FACM601.html

o 518 bypass raises noise, wetland fears (Hayley Kappes – The Galveston County Daily News)

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=773167dd2fe9cbcb

* 26 April

o League City’s New Bottle and Can Recycling Containers (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026027

o Turtle advocates urge halt to shrimping (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6977060.html

o Ozone Season Comes Late To Houston (David Pitman – KUHF News)

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1272315810

o Oil Rig Dilemma (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1272321968

o BP works to contain oil spill (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily6.html?surround=lfn

* 27 April

o Rep. Gene Green and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison Introduce Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Act Companion Bills (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026064

o Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins Again on the Texas Coast (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026057

o Underwater Robots Big Part of Gulf Recovery Effort (Jack Williams – KUHF News)

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1272407953

o Montgomery officials consider economic impact of low lake levels (Brad Meyer – The Montgomery County Courier)

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/04/27/conroe_courier/news/mocc042910.txt

* 28 April

o City giving residents a chance to mark Arbor Day (Jane Howard Lee – The Baytown Sun)

http://baytownsun.com/story/50827

o Nearly 7,000 volunteers haul over 131 tons of trash off Texas beaches (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026086

o Coast Guard: Spill could be one of most significant in U.S. history (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily22.html?surround=lfn

o Coast Guard to begin fires in Gulf of Mexico (Christine Hall – Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily32.html?surround=lfn

o Whole Foods Market Partners with EPA to Fight Climate Change (EPA News)

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/1E2B428CE68825F985257711006A0D4A

* 29 April

o Hurricane workshop a chance to prepare early (Shannon Daughtry – The Baytown Sun)

http://baytownsun.com/story/50840

o Spill in 1979 was bigger but not necessarily worse (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/6976966.html

o Spill is near endangered species, fisheries (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/6978806.html

o Well springs third leak; officials raise spill estimate (Brett Clanton, Matthew Tresaugue, and Monica Hatcher – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/6979467.html

o Coast Guard: Oil spill ‘a serious situation’ (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily36.html?surround=lfn

o Houston among most polluted cities, lung association says (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily33.html?surround=lfn

o Houston-area Volcano Expert Offers Insight On Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Eruption (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026106

o Oil Spill Update from the Transocean Deepwater Horizon Drilling Rig (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000026080

o Leaking Oil Threatens Gulf Coast Delicacy (Kevin McGill – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23300879/detail.html

o The story of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill (Grist News)

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-04-29-gulf-of-mexico-oil-spill-bp-2010-slideshow/P1

o OTC Global forms environmental subsidiary (Ford Gunter – Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily42.html?surround=lfn

o Report: BP to study use of chemicals to break up oil under water (Christine Hall – Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily48.html?surround=lfn

* 30 April

o Gulf Coast Lawmakers Mixed on Suspending Drilling (KUHF News)

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1272662385

o Gov’t steps up role in Gulf rig disaster as companies’ stocks take a hit (Ford Gunter – Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily60.html

o Document: BP Didn’t Plan For Major Oil Spill (Cain Burdeau – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23316310/detail.html

o Oil Rig Has Long History Of Spills (Frank Jordans – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23324142/detail.html

o Obama: New Oil Leases Will Need Safeguards (H. Josef Hebert)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23316741/detail.html

o Rig Explosion Dirties BP’s Green Image (Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23316178/detail.html

o IBM: Office buildings can be more efficient (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily50.html?surround=lfn

o BP CEO on oil spill: ‘We are determined to succeed’ (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/26/daily53.html?surround=lfn

* 2 May

o College Graduation Gowns Going Green (Holly Ramer – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23415409/detail.html

o 20 Sea Turtles Found Dead Along Miss. Beaches (Brian Skoloff – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23423410/detail.html

o 10,000 Gallons Of Oil Removed From Alaska Shipwreck (Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23421719/detail.html

o Obama Says Stopping Oil Spill Could Take Many Days (Robert Burns – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23407808/detail.html

o Best Case: Another Week Of Unabated Oil Geyser (Cain Burdeau – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23406544/detail.html


]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/05/05/econotes-2010-05-02-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-04-24: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/29/econotes-2010-04-24-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/29/econotes-2010-04-24-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:21:53 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7152 Featured

1. Crews fear oil rig will spill 336,000 gallons of crude a day (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle) A drilling rig that burned for more than a day before sinking Thursday has fouled Gulf of Mexico waters with a potentially major spill of crude oil, officials said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6969765.html

2. Has the Clean Air Act outlived its usefulness? (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle) While Houston’s air quality is improving, challenges remain, leading some to ask if the federal Clean Air Act is still up to the job.. Has the Clean Air Act outlived its usefulness?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6969765.html

3. Warnings about toxic fishing grounds largely ignored (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle) Signs warn anglers not to eat the fish and crabs, which are contaminated with high levels of cancer-causing chemicals from decades-old paper mill sludge. Yet people still come with fishing rods and buckets of bait in hand.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6966339.html

4. Kiosks Offer Recyclers Free Rewards (Emily Fredrix – Click2Houston)

PepsiCo and Waste Management kiosks are getting people to recycle by offering rewards, such as free Pilates classes or discounts at restaruants, for their efforts. The programs starts next month. People will be able to scan their recyclables at these kiosks, which will add their points to an account at Greenopolis.com. When they have accumulated enough points, they can redeem their prizes. Although helping the environment should be a good enough reason to recycle, it is hoped that the short term gratification will encourage more people to recycle.

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23225723/detail.html

5. More Buildings Go Green (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)

Houston is about to become more energy efficient by taking measures to improve the energy operations of the buildings downtown. The project was designated 23-million dollars and will be designed to regulate lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditoning, water conservation measures, and building management controls. It is estimated that almost 2 million dollars will be saved per year from retrofitting 19 buildings.

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1271972069

6. Officials trawl for answers after sea turtles’ deaths (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle)

Federal officials are concerned about unusually large numbers of dead Kemp’s ridley turtles, once the world’s most endangered sea turtle, that have washed up on beaches along the upper Texas Gulf

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6971796.html

EcoNotes

* 17 April

o Crews begin repairs to Texas City Dike (T.J. Aulds – The Galveston County Daily News)

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/155164

* 19 April

o Experts offer tips on going green (Alyssa Dizon – Avalanche Journal)

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/041910/loc_611810118.shtml

o Texasinvasives.org Empowers Citizens To Stop Plant, Animal Pests (Texas Parks and Wildlife)

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20100419a&nrtype=all&nrspan=2010&nrsearch=

o Warmer weather increases chances of fire (The Baytown Sun)

http://baytownsun.com/story/50691

o Appliance Rebate Program Underway (Bill Stamps – KUHF News)

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1271717014

* 20 April

o Warnings about toxic fishing grounds largely ignored (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6966339.html

o Coastal safety board holds first meeting (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6967841.html

o Judges from six counties meet to discuss Ike dike (Ted Oberg – ABC 13 News)

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7396701

o Earth Day Tree Planting Ceremony Marks Donation of 65,000 Trees to Texas Parks and Wildlife (Texas Parks and Wildlife)

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20100420a&nrtype=all&nrspan=2010&nrsearch=

o Friendswood Hike and Bike Trail System (Garrett Bryce – Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025878

* 21 April

o Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality in Texas (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025902

o Teen Transforms Geo Into Electric Car (Tori Brunetti – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23227989/detail.html

o Environmentalists Mark 40th Earth Day (Seth Borenstein – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23228135/detail.html

o Kiosks Offer Recyclers Free Rewards (Emily Fredrix – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23225723/detail.html

* 22 April

o Has the Clean Air Act outlived its usefulness? (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6969765.html

o Officials trawl for answers after sea turtles’ deaths (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6971796.html

o Only the strongest songbirds survive arduous trek to Texas (Gary Clark – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/6973166.html

o Buffalo Bayou One Step Closer to National Heritage Area Distinction (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025958

o Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Rain (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025953

o Green movement turns sage (Jana Ballinger – BC Water News)

http://www.bcwaternews.com/SpecialEditions/earthday2010/

o From Rebellious Roots, Earth Day Now Mainstream (Frederic J. Frommer – Click2Houston)

http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23231917/detail.html

o More Buildings Go Green (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)

http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1271972069

o EPA to teens: ‘Do something!’ (Harriet Blake – abc 13)

http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2010/04/22/epa-to-teens-do-something/

o Earth Day Special: Astros go green (Ford Gunter – Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/2010/04/astros_go_green.html?surround=lfn

o University of Houston named one of nation’s top green colleges (Houston Business Journal)

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/04/19/daily39.html?surround=lfn

o Be part of the solution: Do your share to preserve Earth’s ecosystems (Melissa Segrest – abc 13)

http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2010/04/22/be-part-of-the-solution-do-your-share-to-preserve-earths-ecosystems/

* 23 April

o Crews fear oil rig will spill 336,000 gallons of crude a day (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6971824.html

o Galveston Beach Patrol Update on Louisiana Oil Spill (Jim Guidry – Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025985

o Rice study finds early roadbeds leach greenhouse gas into rivers (KIAH)

http://www.39online.com/lifestyle/goinggreen/kiah-gg-rice-study-greenhouse-story,0,762880.story

o Earth Day is Every Day for TxDOT Employees and Contractors (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025983

o DSHS Closes Most Texas Coastal Waters to Shellfish Harvesting (Guidry News)

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025981

o Heavy rains of past led to wildflowers’ beauty (Shannon Daughtry – The Baytown Sun)

http://baytownsun.com/story/50762


]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/29/econotes-2010-04-24-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-04-21: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/21/econotes-2010-04-21-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/21/econotes-2010-04-21-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:20:32 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7099 Featured

  1. Better Check Those Trash Bags (Bill Stamps – KUHF News)

    The city of Houston will no longer pick up yard trimmings in normal
    black trash bags. Now residents must use compostable bags which will
    degrade in less than three months. This will keep more things out of
    the landfill, while earning the city some money as five dollars will be
    earned for every ton. A company will buy the yard trimmings and use
    them for compost.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1271282380

  2. East End NeighborWoods Program Planted More Than 175 Trees (The Guidry News)

    Galveston Island suffered a very high tree mortality rate after
    Hurricane Ike. This weekend, volunteers decided to help the tree
    population by planting more than 175 trees along the streets of the
    East End Historical District where the property owners were willing to
    water and care for new trees.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000025831

  3. Corps: Wetlands on 3 acres of new stadium site (Rhiannon Meyers - The Galveston County Daily News)

    Galveston school district proposed to build a new football stadium, but
    three of the twenty proposed acres are wetlands. The wetlands help
    control flooding and protect the water quality of nearby bodies of
    water. There have been discussions of mitigating the land. Some think
    that this could be an opportunity to use the wetlands as part of an
    outdoor learning environment for students.
    http://galvestondailynews.com/story/154759

EcoNotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/21/econotes-2010-04-21-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-04-14: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/14/econotes-2010-04-14-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/14/econotes-2010-04-14-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:05:51 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=7048   Featured Stories
  1. Garcia: Superfund site to see progress soon (Travers La Ville – The Baytown Sun)
    The Environmental Protection Agency is making progress with the issue of industrial waste dump into the San Jacinto River. People are taking large health risks if they choose to eat any of the wildlife found in the area around the Superfund site. Warning signs and fences will be put up around the site. There is talk of cleanup, but the EPA is not quite prepared for it, so a date has not been set.
    http://baytownsun.com/story/50584
  2. State launches program against giant salvinia (Howard Roden – The Courier of Montgomery County)
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife has launched a campaign to educate Texans about giant salvinia, which threatens the state’s ecosystem. The salvia is an invasive species that is found on the surface of the water and can double its coverage area in less than a week. Officials say that it threatens power plant intakes, and harms the fishing industry and recreational tourism.
    http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/04/01/conroe_courier/news/giant040210.txt
  3. Achoo! Pollen At Its Worst In Years In Many Areas (Tamara Lush – Click2Houston)
    The pollen this year seems to be especially bad and may be the worst it has been in six years according to an allergy specialist. This may be the result of a colder, which delayed the blooming of many plants. Now everything is blooming at once and the high winds are not helping the matter. Many people are forced to suffer as there has been a large influx of patients for the allergy specialist.
    http://www.click2houston.com/green-pages/23098075/detail.html

Econotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/14/econotes-2010-04-14-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-04-07: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/07/houston-environmental-news-headlines-april-7-2010/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/07/houston-environmental-news-headlines-april-7-2010/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:05:54 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=6992 Featured
  1. Incentive to Recycle (KUHF News – Laurie Johnson)
    Houston has expanded its recycling program to more households and has provided larger containers to hold the recyclable products. There is a new system called RecycleBank that offers points in exchange of recyclables. The points cand be redeemed for gift cards and products. This system has already prevented 4.4 million pounds of recyclables from being added to landfills.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1270248554

  2. 2010 may be a deadly year for monarch butterflies (Eric Berger - Houston Chronicle)
    Butterfly experts are estimating a smaller number of monarch butterflies flying through Texas this spring. The butterflies, which spend their winters in reserves in Mexico, had to endure a very wet and cold winter as well as illegal logging in the area. As a result, the population may have declined by up to 60 percent.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6928853.html
  3. Ships to go greener closer to shore (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
    The International Maritime Organization, which regulates shipping and pollution from ships, has ruled that ships must switch to cleaner low-sulfur fuel when operating within 230 miles of the coast. This should greatly affect Houston, which has some of the nation’s most polluted air. The thousands of ships that visit the Port of Houston each year should hopefully not have as damaging impact on the environment as the visits have in previous years.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6932549.html

Econotes

]]> http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/04/07/houston-environmental-news-headlines-april-7-2010/feed/ 0 ECONOTES 2010-03-31: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/31/econotes-2010-03-31-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/ http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/31/econotes-2010-03-31-environmental-headlines-for-the-houston-region/#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:40:39 +0000 Webmaster http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=6880
  • Students Nurse Mini-Marshlands in Project – Bronwyn Turner (The Daily News – Galveston County) Galveston Bay Foundation’s Get Hip to Habitat program has more than 280
    students taking care of mini-marshlands as a unique project with their class. They transplant and nurse the marsh grass as they wade into the waters of the Nassau Bay Peninsula. This project teaches the kids environmental awareness in a hands-on manner as they help restore the marshlands.
    http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2565903ebd9363be
  • Committee promotes eco-friendliness in community – Jennifer Summer (The Observer – Kingwood) Keeping Kingwood Green is encouraging businesses to become more environmentally friendly by sending out surveys that alert them of their current habits that affect the environment, such as recycling. The surveys are designed to  inform the companies and encourage them to do more. Hopefully the message will catch on and influence
    residents in the area as well.
    http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/03/17/kingwood_observer/news/11kochamberbeautification.txt
  • A Trip to Work By Bike - Melissa Galvez (KUHF News) It is now easier to bike to work in Houston. Google Maps now has a feature that will show 400 miles of bike trails, lanes, and preferred routes. Many people do not think that Houston is a bike-friendly city, but with the right routes and knowledge, you can ride your bike to work.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1269399522

    • Econotes

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