Vice President Harris, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment globally, launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy
Six Houston-based refineries dump millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater with little penalty, report finds
Summary
According to a report produced by the Environmental Integrity Project, 81 oil and gas refineries around the nation dump almost 500 million gallons of toxic wastewater per day. Every day, six refineries in the Houston region discharge around 55 million gallons of effluent into nearby waterways. ExxonMobil Baytown, Pemex Deer Park, Valero Houston, Chevron Pasadena, LyondellBasell-Houston, and Kinder Morgan Galena Park are among those refineries. The pollution is released into the Houston ship channel, which ultimately drains into Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The EPA has never imposed any limitations for the discharge of dangerous contaminants such as selenium, cyanide, benzene, and mercury. When it comes to the EPA's regulations, corporations who violate these limitations seldom suffer financial consequences. From 2019 to 2021, 67 of the 81 refineries covered in the study reported enough pollutants to exceed their pollution control permits. Only 15 of the 67 were fined for water pollution breaches throughout that time period. Between 2019 and 2021, the Phillips 66 refinery in Sweeny, Texas, roughly an hour south of Houston, allegedly breached its emission standards 44 times. The majority of the infractions involved the discharge of cyanide into the Brazos River. Despite this, the corporation was only fined $30,000.
November 14, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Houston City Council allocated $5 million to relocate people from cancer clusters identified by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Environmental justice communities need real change—not a rebrand of the same discriminatory plans that slow the clock on fighting the climate crisis and reinforce the status quo.
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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Community organizations that serve and are led by people of color are banding together to secure billions of federal dollars earmarked for environmental and climate causes.
November 11, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
Ohio and Pennsylvania are leading the way in the completion of a more robust national charging network, but the scale of the work ahead remains significant
November 10, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, a church in Tucson, Arizona, exemplifies the potential of microgrids for enhancing energy resiliency, especially in the face of climate challenges.
November 10, 2023
Economic Justice
Economic Justice
Grist reported on a study from Stanford University revealing the effectiveness of controlled burns in reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires.
The article delves into a paper by James Hansen, often referred to as the godfather of climate science, and his colleagues.
November 8, 2023
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
On November 8, 2023, Texas voters approved Proposition 7, allocating $10 billion in low-interest loans for new gas power plants, a move criticized as favoring the fossil fuel.
November 7, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The article highlights the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), officially known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), over the past two years.
November 7, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The article explores the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly South Africa, in transitioning from coal to clean energy with the support of the Global North.
November 6, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
On November 6, 2023, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Midtown Redevelopment Authority, tasked with acquiring lots to prevent gentrification in Houston's Third Ward.
November 6, 2023
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
The article highlights the Justice40 Initiative, a crucial component of the Biden Administration's environmental justice efforts.
November 6, 2023
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Public Citizen, led by Tyson Slocum, raised objections against Energy Transfer's application to export 851 Bcf/year of LNG from its proposed Lake Charles Terminal in Louisiana.