clean government - Texas Campaign for the Environment

Why everyone is talking about the Paris climate conference

This week, diplomats from 195 countries finalized a global climate deal that many feel needs enforcement from the bottom up. We agree.

Houston Runoff Election Environmental Questionnaire

From our blog: We led a group of environmental, environmental justice, civil rights and civic engagement organizations to produce a short questionnaire for Houston candidates. Election day is December 12th, 2015.

Groups sue top Texas environmental regulator over air pollution permits

KXAN News Austin: Several environmental advocacy groups have sued the state’s top environmental regulation agency for alleged inadequate handling of several air pollution permits.

EPA to Require Toxic Release Reporting from Gas Plants

Texas Tribune: Hundreds of gas plants across the country — and as many as 180 in Texas — soon will have to alert the federal government if they discharge, produce or handle certain toxic chemicals like benzene or hydrogen sulfide.

What’s the Damage? Fallout from the 84th Texas legislative session

Austin Chronicle: As in many years, the environmental fights at the 84th Legislature were mostly not to do good things, but to prevent bad things from happening – and at best, it was a split decision.

Abbott Signs Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests

Texas Tribune: Critics are worried that limiting the process would stifle what little voice everyday Texans have when manufacturers, chemical plants, landfills and other high-polluting businesses set up shop in their communities.

Fracking bills in Legislature fuel city-control debate

Dallas Morning News: It was standing room only at a House hearing on two bills that would restrict how cities can regulate oil and gas activities.

A Victory for Activists – Council May Retain Oversight of Austin Energy

Austin Chronicle: It appears that most Council members have backed away from the wildly unpopular idea of surrendering control of the city’s largest asset to an unaccountable panel of professionals.

Texas appealing to other states for radioactive trash, looks to expand program

Fox News: A measure that would allow three-dozen states to dump even hotter radioactive waste at a West Texas nuclear facility is picking up steam as it makes its way through the state legislature — despite growing opposition from environmental groups who argue the economic incentives shouldn’t trump public safety concerns.

The long-term recycling deal

Charles Kuffner: The deal that had been in the works called for 15,000 recycling carts this year and 1,500 carts a year thereafter. That sounds like a lot until you realize that we have 270,000 households serviced by Houston’s Solid Waste department that do not have the big bins.