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Environmental News Update 7/26/02 LOCAL EPA May Disapprove Houston Clean Air Plan US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially stated this week that Houston’s plan to clean up ground level ozone falls short, and threatened serious consequences if the plan isn’t repaired by September 2003. The Texas Emissions Reduction Program, a key component of the plan, was inadequately funded by the Texas legislature, and some components of the funds that were allocated are currently being challenged in court. If the EPA decides to disapprove the plan, it will be responsible for generating and enforcing a federal plan. A significant loss of federal highway dollars could be lost as well. For Chronicle coverage, visit: www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/front/1507865 Why Houston’s Clean Air Plan Falls Short The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP) has released a new document, titled Why Houston’s Clean Air Plan Falls Short, that summarizes six factors that make the region’s plan to reduce ground level ozone inadequate. The report concludes that the following issues could contribute to a 170-ton-per-day shortfall in necessary nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission reductions: TNRCC’s proposed relaxation of point source NOx controls, funding losses for the Texas Emissions Reductions Program (TERP), little progress toward developing promised reductions to fill the known “gap” in the current plan, enforcement and accountability issues in the voluntary measures, overstated benefits and enforcement problems in the speed limit provision, and overstated benefits and enforcement problems with commercial lawn care restrictions. To read the entire document, visit: www.ghasp.org/publications/siprollback/new.html Groups Endorse Clean Air Agenda A number of area environmental organizations are endorsing a new 2002 Citizens’ Clean Air Agenda, which they hope will serve to guide public policy. Agenda items include supporting strong pollution controls on highly reactive VOC emissions; opposing any rollback of point source NOx controls; supporting replacing the 55 mph speed limit with more effective, less inconvenient measures; and insisting that TNRCC honor its commitment to adopt new pollution reductions before December 2002. Local supporters include Cypress Green, the Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP), the Gulf Coast Institute, and Mothers for Clean Air, among others.To read the full document, visit: www.ghasp.org/publications/siprollback/CleanAirAgenda.html TNRCC to Train Citizen Investigators In June, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) began a statewide initiative to train Texans on the use of citizen collected evidence in environmental enforcement. Under new laws that took effect in January, TNRCC will consider evidence gathered by citizens in enforcement proceedings, rather than only using that type of information to initiate investigation. Training sessions, held at various locations across the state, will focus on the resources available to citizens, guidelines on how to gather and submit collected evidence, and TNRCC's enforcement process. TNRCC will offer the training in the Houston on August 1 at Grayson Community Center, 13828 Corpus Christi Drive, and on August 8, at Bear Creek Community Center, 3 Abercrombie Drive. Both meetings will be held at 6:30 pm. For more information, visit: www.tnrcc.state.tx.us Get Your Message Out KUHF, Rice University’s student-run radio station, is looking for new Public Service Announcements (PSAs). If your organization has a relatively non-political issue that you want to share, consider submitting a PSA to the station. The general format of PSA's are 15-45 second written pieces to be read on-air, or 15-45 second pre-recorded pieces to be played in between sets. For more information, contact Fred Kontur at freddy@ktru.org. GREEN JOBS Council for Environmental Education - Program Coordinator, Flying WILD Flying WILD is a new national program focusing on bird education, with special emphasis on the delivery of school bird festivals and accompanying educational materials. The Program Coordinator will work with a wide variety of federal, state, local, and non-governmental organizations that support bird conservation. Strong communication skills, accomplished writing skills, grant management experience, knowledge of school systems, and an ability to assemble and network a national partnership will be key attributes of the successful candidate. A B.A. or B.S. degree in education, environmental education, curriculum and instruction, natural resources or related field and four years of related work experience is required. The salary range for this position is $34,000 to $40,000 per year, depending upon experience. Modest travel is required. CEE offers an excellent benefits plan including health insurance, tax-deferred retirement plan, paid vacation leave, and holiday leave. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to: Council for Environmental Education, Attn: Flying WILD, 5555 Morningside Drive, Suite 212, Houston, TX 77005, Fax: 713-520-8008, Email: info@c-e-e.org. CEE is an equal opportunity employer. Council for Environmental Education - Manager, Project WILD A key function of this position will be to assist the Director of Project WILD in the implementation of Project WILD initiatives, including program evaluation, early childhood and secondary education programs, urban and non-formal education programs, and service learning programs. A minimum B.A. or B.S. degree in education, environmental education, curriculum design and development, or related field and a minimum of four years related work experience in environmental education (preferably at the state or national level) is required. An advanced degree is preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills and significant budgetary and grant management experience are required. Experience in curriculum development and program administration is essential. The salary is in the low to high $40,000 range plus an excellent benefit plan that includes health insurance, tax deferred retirement plan, thirteen days paid vacation leave, and holiday leave. Compensatory time is offered for weekend work. Modest travel is required. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to: Council for Environmental Education, Attn: Search Committee, 5555 Morningside Drive, Suite 212, Houston, TX 77005, Fax: 713-520-8008, Email: gawarfieldpw@aol.com. CEE is an equal opportunity employer. ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION CEC Environmental News Update is a weekly publication by the Citizens' Environmental Coalition, a 501(c)3 dedicated to fostering dialogue, education and collaboration about environmental issues in the Houston-Gulf Coast Region. Visit the CEC online at www.cechouston.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe, or to suggest items for inclusion, send your request via e-mail to Sarah Doss at sarah@cechouston.org. |
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