Local Environmental Issues in Houston?

What are some air and water pollution issues in Houston, TX?

• Answer:

  http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/P2Recycle/P2Week/airpollution.html air pollution (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) Documentation: Recently released EPA data found that Texas continues to rank third in the nation for the discharge into lakes and rivers of industrial toxic pollution. In fact, the discharge of toxics into surface waters increased by nearly 20 percent, to approximately 25 million pounds in the most recent Toxics Release Inventory for 1998. -1998 TRI, Environmental Protection Agency, released May 11, 2000 Documentation: Pollution has to some degree impacted all of Texas's 15 inland river basins and 8 coastal basins, several of its reservoirs, and all of its estuaries, coastal wetlands, and bays. -Texas Natural Resources Conservation Committee, Water Quality Inventory http://www.commondreams.org/news2000/0522-01.htm Houston region leads the nation in emissions of carcinogens Today, Environment Texas released Toxic Pollution and Health, a report on nationwide releases of air toxics. Not surprisingly, the Houston region topped the list for many categories of air toxics. What was a bit surprising (to me) was the extent of our pollution problem. For example, Harris County ranked first in the nation for releases of carcinogens, with facilities reporting more than 2.5 million pounds in 2004. Galveston County took second place at 2.3 million pounds. In a distant third was Georgetown, South Carolina, with just over 1 million pounds. And in fourth place was Brazoria County, with just under 1 million pounds. Posted Mar 22, 2007 Local mayors agree to work together on air pollution issues Houston Mayor Bill White recently proposed a benzene reduction plan that would include negotiating voluntary agreements with petrochemical facilities outside of the city limits. Mayors of several cities east of Houston (including my hometown, Baytown) lashed out at the proposal, claiming that White was overstepping his authority. On Thursday, March 15, 2007 White met with the other mayors and apparently came to an agreement on the issue, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle. "It's a really big day in the region," White said after the closed-door summit with the mayors of Pasadena, La Porte, Deer Park, Baytown, Morgans Point and Galena Park. Precinct 2 Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia also attended. Mar 16, 2007 City Council acts to improve Houston's air On Wednesday, February 14, Houston City Council approved several items aimed at improving air quality in Houston. The council approved two proposals giving the city authority to sue Valero Energy and Texas Petrochemicals for pollution violations if settlements cannot be reached within 30 days. It marks the first time that the council has backed litigation of an industrial facility since Mayor Bill White took office, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle. The council also approved an amendment to an ordinance regarding the registration of sources of air pollution. The amendment increases the registration fees and also expands the types of facilities that are required to register. Feb 16, 2007 Houston City Council hesitates on clean air issues There's an article in The Houston Chronicle today regarding the Houston City Council's reluctance to act on several agenda items involving clean air issues. The mayor is not getting a free pass in his march to clean up Houston's air. That became clear Wednesday, when a majority of the City Council questioned, and delayed, proposals to give Houston's attorneys the authority to sue two local industrial plants over air pollution. The article refers to two resolutions involving Texas Petrochemicals and Valero. The city is seeking to prosecute the companies for four air pollution incidents that occurred in 2006. http://www.ghasp.org/