news & announcements
Health concerns swirl in Texas months after floods from Harvey spread toxic waste
PBC NewsHour: Three months after Hurricane Harvey struck the shores of Texas, some local environmental groups say they are in the dark about the safety of federal Superfund sites damaged during the storm.
Victory for the San Jacinto and a New Fight for TCE
From our blog: Federal officials have finally ordered the full removal of dioxin-laden waste pits just outside of Houston on the San Jacinto River. Yes, the current U.S. EPA, headed by Scott Pruitt–who was appointed by Donald Trump–went against corporate power and took the environmentalists’ side in a major dispute.
As Austin concludes recycling phase-in, city preps for zero waste goal
Community Impact News: Austin aims to be zero waste by 2040—meaning 90% of discarded materials will be either recycled or composted and not sent to landfills. Business community members and environmental advocates alike seem to agree that Austin is making strides toward the target.
Environmentalists protest EPA Chief Scott Pruitt’s planned speech in The Woodlands
Houston Chronicle: About a dozen advocates called on U.S. EPA chief Scott Pruitt to take a “Toxic Tour” of contaminated areas in Houston during his visit Thursday for a planned speech at an oil and gas meeting in The Woodlands.
EPA Orders Cleanup at Texas Toxic Site Flooded by Harvey
Chicago Tribune: Trump administration orders two big corporations to pay for a $115 million cleanup at a Texas toxic waste site that may have spread dangerous levels of pollution during the flooding from Hurricane Harvey.
Austin’s recycling ordinance enters next phase; city works toward zero waste goal
Community Impact News: When the last phase of the recycling ordinance rolls out Oct. 1, all multi-family and non-residential commercial properties will be required to provide tenants and employees with convenient access to recycling services.
Houston Superfund site leaked toxic chemicals after Harvey: EPA
ABC News Houston: New test results found very high levels of chemicals called dioxins around the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site in Channelview. Thursday’s testing results released by EPA found levels at 70,000 nanograms per kilogram, more than 2,000 times the recommended level of 30 ng/kg.
Fort Worth Recycling Plan Passes with Key Upgrades
From our blog: Fort Worth City Council voted to approve their 20-year “Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.” As a result of widespread citizen participation and advocacy, the final document included many more program and policy goals to reduce waste and increase recycling than originally planned.
130+ Organizations Demand a Just Harvey Relief Effort Without Subsidies for Fossil Fuel and Petrochemical Companies
WASHINGTON – Organizations in the Gulf and across the country released a joint statement today expressing solidarity with the thousands of Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey and demanding that recovery funds flow to frontline communities, not to the oil, gas, and petrochemical companies that compounded Harvey’s impacts. This statement comes as former Shell CEO Marvin Odum was recently tapped […]
We won’t let Harvey stop our fight against pollution!
From our blog: I watched the rising water from my window all week during Harvey. I felt anxious to help my city during an environmental disaster, and helpless while trapped inside a moat of floodwaters. Harvey tore through multiple Superfund sites, potentially sending toxic waste throughout the area.