news & announcements
EPA chief vows to speed the nation’s Superfund cleanups; communities wonder how
The Washington Post By Brady Dennis Original article here BRIDGETON, Mo. – Dawn Chapman had listened with surprise and skepticism as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency vowed to clean up West Lake, the nuclear waste dump that has filled her days and nights with worry. “The past administration honestly just didn’t pay […]
Developing leaders to change the world
From our blog: We are proud to see our activists whose skills we have developed make great strides in their careers to transform policy for a healthier, more just world.
What happened to the battery recycling bill??
From our blog: The battery bill made a big splash at the State Capitol, and we secured 10 co-authors from both parties, including both very conservative Republicans and some very progressive Democrats.
Austin’s plastic bag ban can stay: Measure dies in Texas Legislature, along with other local pre-emption bills
Austin Business Journal By Kimberly Reeves Original article here AUSTIN – Environmentalists are declaring victory at the Texas Capitol in the fight to give cities the right to ban single-use plastic bags at stores, one of the few victories this legislative session for local governments in their fight against state pre-emption. Those who track the […]
Victory: Bad bag bill defeated
From our blog: For the first time ever, a statewide coalition of advocates proactively introduced a bill to protect local rights to ban bags: HB 3482. The bill passed out of its committee with a “yes” vote from one of the House’s most conservative Republicans, and then passed out of the Calendars Committee and was scheduled for a floor vote!
Report: Texas Tops Nation for Safe Drinking Water Violations
Public News Service By Mark Richardson AUSTIN – Water systems in Texas have the nation’s worst record for violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, a new report says. Researchers for the Natural Resources Defense Council looked at Environmental Protection Agency data from 2015 and found almost 14,000 violations in more than 5,000 water systems […]
Legislative measure would require manufacturers to take back batteries, helping to keep them out of landfills
Denton Record-Chronicle: There comes a point in every person’s life when the TV remote control batteries need to be changed.
How grassroots groups are mobilizing Texans on top issues
Texas Tribune: Five community organizers tell us how they rally people around issues.
Plastic bag ban protection wins hearing at Texas Capitol
Austin American-Statesman By Asher Price AUSTIN – In the pre-dawn darkness Tuesday, friends Lila Mankad and Caoilin Krathaus, both 11-years-old, piled into a car in Houston with each of their fathers to deliver a message to lawmakers in Austin: Ban single-use plastic bags. The two kids, who started an organization called Bag-free Bayous, arrived at […]