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Newsletter
A pipeline explosion in Texas causes evacuation and damages homes

A pipeline explosion in Texas causes evacuation and damages homes

A pipeline fire ignited after a vehicle struck a valve near Houston, prompting investigations and an evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes.

Juan A. Lozano reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

  • A vehicle crashed into a pipeline valve near Houston, causing an explosion and a massive fire that burned for over 12 hours.
  • Nearby homes caught fire due to intense heat, and authorities evacuated 1,000 households while firefighters attempted to contain the flames.
  • Air monitoring detected no immediate health risks, though the fire released soot and particulate matter into the environment.

Key quote:

“A lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though we’re putting a lot of water on them.”

— Jerry Mouton Jr., Mayor of Deer Park.

Why this matters:

Pipeline explosions in Houston’s petrochemical region are common, raising concerns about the safety of the infrastructure and its impact on nearby communities and the environment. Residents must grapple with repeated disruptions and potential long-term risks.

Related EHN coverage:

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Newsletter
Houston faces growing threats from hurricanes and heat waves, experts warn

Houston faces growing threats from hurricanes and heat waves, experts warn

As climate change drives more severe weather, Houston remains unprepared for the deadly combination of power outages and extreme heat following hurricanes.

By Niko Kommenda, Shannon Osaka and Simon Ducroquet report for The Washington Post.

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Newsletter
New fracking-inspired technology could revolutionize renewable energy storage

New fracking-inspired technology could revolutionize renewable energy storage

Three Houston startups are using a novel approach similar to fracking to create underground storage for renewable energy, potentially reducing reliance on lithium batteries.

Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News.

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Newsletter
Chevron’s headquarters relocation to Houston raises pollution concerns in Latino communities

Chevron’s headquarters relocation to Houston raises pollution concerns in Latino communities

Chevron’s move from California to Houston has heightened fears of increased air pollution, especially in Houston’s predominantly Latino neighborhoods, where pollution-related health issues are already prevalent.

Carola Guerrero De León reports for The Latin Times.

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Newsletter
Houston reverses plans to move away from cars under new mayor

Houston reverses plans to move away from cars under new mayor

Houston’s progress toward reducing car dependency has stalled since Mayor John Whitmire took office, impacting transit and bike infrastructure projects.

Sarah Raza reports for The Washington Post.

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ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell y Chevron Phillips están en el top de empresas contaminantes en Houston: Informe

ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell y Chevron Phillips están en el top de empresas contaminantes en Houston: Informe

“Sabemos que es un negocio, y quieres obtener ganancias, pero considera a las comunidades vecinas.”

Las instalaciones industriales más contaminantes del condado de Harris, que incluye a Houston, son en su inmensa mayoría compañías petroquímicas responsables de la emisión de millones de libras de sustancias químicas y de cientos de violaciones ambientales estatales y federales, según un nuevo informe.

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Top Story
ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report

ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report

“We know this is a business, and you want to make a profit, but consider the communities next door.”

HOUSTON – The top industrial polluters in Harris County, which encompasses Houston, are overwhelmingly petrochemical companies, which are responsible for millions of pounds of chemical releases and hundreds of state and federal environmental violations, according to a new report.

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