May 22, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
The Associated Press reveals the significant gaps in health outcomes between Black Americans and their white counterparts throughout their lives.
Clean energy is taking over the Texas grid. State officials are trying to stop it.
Summary
Wind, solar, and nuclear energy contributed over 40% of the Texas' power in 2022. Texas wind turbines and solar panels have strong "complementarity," meaning deficiencies in one source are generally compensated by gains in another, smoothing electricity supply and lowering the demand for additional generators facilitating grid integration of intermittent energy sources. Since 2006, Texas coal has lost almost half its share. Cheap natural gas from hydraulic fracturing was outcompeting coal, and coal power stations had to modify their equipment to meet tighter mercury restrictions, rising electricity production costs. Wind and solar, with low construction prices, fast build periods, and no fuel costs, dominate Texas's freewheeling energy sector. However, some politicians are now seeking to shift the balance back toward fossil fuels. Texas lawmakers banned fossil fuel boycotters from doing business with the state's retirement and investment funds last year. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants additional funding for natural gas-fired electricity. Wind and solar power are expanding, but they are intermittent, so regulators want adequate dispatchable electricity like natural gas to ramp up on overcast days. A new credit structure would encourage more dispatchable plants to come online and save some failing generators, but power generation costs would rise.
May 24, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Grassroots groups are collecting their own pollution data to increase accountability and demand environmental justice.
May 24, 2023
Carbon Emissions
Carbon Emissions
Three Texas oil & gas industry sites that caught fire had long violation records.
May 24, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Houston residents protest proposed cutback in neighborhood drainage spending amid revenue surge
Carbon credits for nitrous oxide reductions could fill a key gap in international agreements and government regulations.
May 26, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
Supreme Court ruling on May 25, 2023, has curtailed the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) to regulate millions of acres of wetlands.
May 26, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
This article addresses the systemic racism and environmental injustice experienced by Latino farmworkers in the US, focusing on their exposure to the herbicide paraquat.
According to the American Red Cross, 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of white children have few to no swimming skills.
May 26, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
This article by Somini Sengupta discusses the dangerous feedback loops that extreme heat can trigger for hospitals and clinics in the United States.
Lawmakers in the United States are currently negotiating the national debt ceiling and in the midst of these negotiations, the future of clean energy and environmental protection.
April 26, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
Nearly two dozen lawsuits filed by cities and states aim to put fossil fuel companies on trial for deceiving the public about climate change.
Legislatures in a dozen states have passed “right of first refusal” laws that freeze out competition in transmission line projects, raising concerns about higher energy costs.
April 26, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
EPA’s upcoming climate rules are expected to rely on carbon capture technology.
April 26, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
Final investment decision for Rio Grande LNG project, set to be built in Brownsville, Texas by Bechtel, is set to be made in June, says its developer.
The Federal Railroad Administration launched a public database for complaints about blocked crossings in late 2019, and it has received over 28,000 reports of stopped trains.