texas
Newsletter
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Texas debates over new oil and gas waste rule heat up
Texas is considering its first major revision of oil and gas waste management rules in 40 years, but environmentalists and industry leaders disagree over the new regulations.
In short:
- Texas' revised rule aims to improve waste disposal from oil and gas drilling, including the handling of toxic byproducts like produced water and drilling mud.
- Environmental groups argue the rule doesn't do enough to protect groundwater, while the industry says stricter measures could be too expensive for smaller companies.
- The public has until September 30 to comment on the proposal, with hearings scheduled this week.
Key quote:
“This is a massive overhaul of extremely important groundwater protection rules.”
— Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift
Why this matters:
Texas generates billions of gallons of oilfield waste annually, some of which poses a risk to groundwater. Updated regulations could strengthen protections or lead to more conflicts between environmentalists and the energy industry.
Related:
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Texas boosts oil-friendly courts to safeguard industry interests
On September 1, Texas will open new business courts, heavily influenced by Big Oil, with judges handpicked by Governor Greg Abbott, many of whom have deep ties to the fossil fuel industry.
In short:
- Texas’ new business courts will handle corporate cases, with judges selected by Governor Abbott, many of whom have histories defending fossil fuel companies.
- The courts, designed with little oversight, have been criticized for favoring industry interests, particularly in environmental cases.
- Environmental cases previously heard by more liberal courts will now be overseen by these conservative, industry-friendly judges.
Key quote:
“Greg Abbott created a boutique court for corporations where he, not the voters, gets to pick the judges.”
— Adrian Shelley, director of Public Citizen Texas.
Why this matters:
This move is a direct strike at environmental and public health advocacy. In a state where fossil fuel dominance is already crushing the push for green energy and stricter regulations, this court is poised to silence dissenting voices even further. Read more: ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters.
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Credit: Jonathan Weiss/Big Stock Photo
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.
In short:
- Chevron relocated its headquarters to Houston following a California lawsuit over climate change deception.
- Local activists fear lax regulations in Texas will exacerbate air pollution, impacting vulnerable communities.
- Houston’s Latino neighborhoods already face some of the nation’s worst air quality, with pollution linked to serious health issues.
Key quote:
"Chevron already has a history of breaking the law in Texas. It is not surprising that it's deciding to move its headquarters to Texas since the state's regulations and their enforcement are much more lax than they are in California"
— Erandi Treviño, Houston environmental activist
Why this matters:
Some residents fear Chevron’s move to Houston could worsen air quality in areas already suffering from pollution, intensifying health risks for Latino communities with limited resources to address these challenges.
Read more: ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report
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Prisoners in Texas sue over unsafe heat conditions
Texas prisoners are suing for air conditioning, arguing that extreme heat in the state’s prisons amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
In short:
- A lawsuit claims that the excessive heat in Texas prisons, where temperatures can exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit, is a form of cruel and unusual punishment.
- The suit argues that air conditioning should be installed to protect inmates, especially those with medical conditions.
- Texas has provided air conditioning to some units, but the majority of its prison cells remain without it.
Key quote:
“We’re not asking to make incarcerated folks comfortable. The state has a responsibility to safely house the incarcerated population that is in its care.”
— Marci Marie Simmons, former inmate and plaintiff
Why this matters:
Extreme heat poses a severe health risk, especially for vulnerable inmates in Texas prisons, where conditions are worsening due to climate change. Ensuring humane conditions is vital as heatwaves become more frequent and intense.
For more: Texas prisons face lawsuit over dangerously high temperatures
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Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
NextDecade drops carbon capture plans for Texas LNG terminal
NextDecade has canceled the carbon capture component of its Rio Grande LNG terminal after a federal court revoked project approvals due to environmental and regulatory concerns.
In short:
- NextDecade withdrew its carbon capture plan for the Rio Grande LNG terminal following a D.C. Circuit Court ruling.
- The court found that federal regulators did not adequately assess the project's environmental and community impacts.
- NextDecade's claims of capturing 90% of emissions were criticized as unrealistic and insufficient by environmental groups.
Key quote:
“For three years, NextDecade has insisted to FERC and the public that it would implement a carbon capture and sequestration project that would reduce Rio Grande LNG’s egregious greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90 percent.”
— Nathan Matthews, senior attorney, Sierra Club
Why this matters:
The cancellation raises doubts about the viability of carbon capture in large-scale fossil fuel projects, particularly when environmental justice and regulatory oversight are at stake.
Read more: Climate activists pan carbon capture plans
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NOAA Satellites/Flickr/https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Hurricanes can triple the amount of toxic contamination released into nearby communities
A new study in Environmental Science and Technology found that petrochemical manufacturers and refineries in Texas released higher amounts of toxic contamination during hurricanes.
In short:
- Compared to periods of normal weather, Hurricane Rita (2005) resulted in twice as many contamination releases, while Hurricanes Ike (2008) and Harvey (2017) caused releases to triple.
- Communities with a higher percentage of renters, higher poverty rates, and more Hispanic residents were more likely to experience an increase in contamination.
- Petrochemical refineries were responsible for the highest amount of contamination released during hurricanes.
Key quote:
“Low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately impacted by hurricanes and floods, leading to concerns that climate change will further exacerbate existing environmental health disparities.”
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to alter global weather patterns, extreme weather events such as hurricanes are becoming more common and more severe. With hazardous petrochemical sites disproportionately located within low-income communities of color, this study highlights how extreme weather can have significant environmental justice implications, as well as the need for better protections for fenceline communities.
Related EHN coverage:
- Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages: Study
- Air pollution linked to over 700 health conditions
More resources: Environmental Health News reporter Cami Ferrell covers the petrochemical industry in Houston. See her most recent reporting, ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report (leer este reportaje en español) and WATCH: Enduring the “endless” expansion of the nation’s petrochemical corridor (en español).
Follow Cami’s reporting via Instagram @ehnewsroom and TikTok @CamiReports.
Berberian, Alique et al. for Environmental Science and Technology. July 30, 2024
Newsletter
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Texas faces rising carbon monoxide risks after Hurricane Beryl
After Hurricane Beryl, carbon monoxide poisoning cases in Texas surged, reflecting a pattern since the 2021 winter storm.
Lexi Churchill reports for The Texas Tribune and ProPublica.
In short:
- Following Hurricane Beryl in July, Texas reported its highest carbon monoxide poisoning cases since the 2021 winter storm, with two deaths and 400 hospitalizations.
- The lack of mandatory carbon monoxide detectors in homes contributed to these incidents. Texas updated its building codes in 2022 to require detectors in new homes but allowed cities to opt out.
- Efforts to enhance generator safety standards are underway at the federal level, but no completion timeline exists.
Key quote:
“We did a stupid thing. We got careless, and it only takes one time. And if we had the detector, it would have been a different story.”
— Debbie Wells, Houston resident
Why this matters:
Power outages during severe weather can lead to increased reliance on generators, elevating the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Without comprehensive regulations and safety measures, such incidents may become more frequent as extreme weather events occur more often.
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