Env. Justice

By Leslie Ness

(Leslie is CEC’s intern. She has degrees in communication and nursing. We sent her to the EPA hearings to report her impressions. For other reports, see this Chronicle article and this Houston CLEAN report.)

As I drove into Houston’s Manchester neighborhood to attend Tuesday’s hearing on the EPA’s proposed emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants from refineries, I was struck by the billowing plumes of white smoke and realized that a person like me, who is not knowledgeable about petroleum refining, hasn’t a clue whether the smoke is harmless steam or poisonous benzene-laden pollution. (more…)

The first EPA Region 6 “Beyond Translation Forum” was held in San Antonio last year. More than 100 Hispanic leaders and various government officials came together to discuss environmental challenges and opportunities, explore ideas for improving the EPA’s service to Hispanics, and to enhance partnerships and networks. (more…)

By Ella Tyler

EPA Region 6 held a forum, “Beyond Translation,” in San Antonio on Oct 18. (more…)

By Ella Tyler

The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency this week because the EPA refused the group’s request that the agency regulate jewelry made with lead, particularly children’s and toy jewelry. (more…)

By Ella Tyler

“Texas has some of the most progressive laws in the country about pesticides in schools, but not many parents know about these laws,” laments Charlotte Wells, executive director of Texans for Alternatives to Pesticides. (more…)

Just weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck, John Sullivan of the Sealy Center for Public Health and Medicine and Bryan Parras of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services were sent to Louisiana to meet with community leaders to find out how the National Institute for Environmental Health could collaborate with local groups. (more…)

By Ella Tyler

The Department Energy is currently considering sites to expand the Strategic Petroleum Reserve’s storage capacity. In this program, crude oil is stored in caverns created by the solution mining of salt domes. There are currently four existing facilities, two in Louisiana and two in Texas, with a capacity of about 727 million barrels. (more…)

(GHASP)

Purpose: The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP) works to persuade government and corporate officials to prevent smog. GHASP seeks to accomplish its mission by being the most credible advocate for clean air in the Houston region; by supporting efforts to educate the public; and by directly engaging government officials, community leaders, the media and industry on regional air pollutionissues. (more…)

Purpose: Dedicated to the advancement of architecture, urban design, and the built environment in the Houston region through educational programs, the publication of Cite, and active programs to initiate physical improvements. By sponsoring lectures, seminars, symposia, exhibits, and tours, RDA seeks to involve the public.

(more…)