texas
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Texas city approves new fracking site near daycare and schools
A city council in Arlington, Texas, has approved plans for TotalEnergies to drill 10 new gas wells near a daycare center and elementary schools, despite opposition from residents concerned about air pollution and public health.
In short:
- Arlington approved a new fracking site for the first time in 12 years, allowing TotalEnergies to drill 10 wells near homes and schools.
- Residents voiced concerns over pollution and health risks, but the council passed the measure unanimously, citing state laws limiting local authority.
- Emissions from fracking sites in the area have been documented, including hydrocarbons and particulates near schools and daycares.
Key quote:
“There’s emissions that are going to come out of every site. They may have them relatively controlled, but they have permission to emit.”
— Tim Doty, pollution monitoring contractor
Why this matters:
The expansion of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has long been a point of contention in communities where oil and gas development sits uncomfortably close to homes, schools and daycares. In Arlington, Texas, where a dense population lives near active wells, the risks feel particularly acute. Scientific studies have linked pollutants released during fracking — such as benzene, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds — to respiratory issues, developmental delays and other health concerns, raising alarms about the potential impact on children.
Read more from EHN: "No evidence" that fracking can be done without threatening human health: Report
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Oil companies report reduced methane leaks in West Texas, but experts urge caution
Methane emissions from oil and gas operations in West Texas fell by 25% in 2023, according to an industry-backed report, though environmentalists question the data's scope and accuracy.
In short:
- A report by S&P Global claims methane leaks from oil wells and equipment in West Texas dropped by 25% in 2023, focusing on the upstream phase of production.
- Environmentalists argue the findings exclude smaller emissions and may underestimate total methane pollution, which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
- Regulators and companies use various tools like satellites, aerial sensors and handheld devices to track emissions, but inconsistencies in reporting and enforcement remain a challenge.
Key quote:
"Regardless of cost-effectiveness, the public is harmed when scarce natural resources are wasted or when methane warms the climate."
— Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift, an oil and gas watchdog group
Why this matters:
Methane is a significant contributor to climate change, and reducing leaks is essential to slowing global warming. While industry efforts to cut emissions are promising, inconsistent regulation and gaps in monitoring mean the true scale of methane pollution may be underestimated.
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State renewable energy policies in 2025 focus on implementation rather than bold new laws
States are shifting their attention to enforcing existing clean energy laws, with fewer new legislative breakthroughs expected due to political gridlock and economic pressures.
In short:
- States with Democratic control remain key players in renewable energy efforts, but no new "100% carbon-free" laws are expected in 2025.
- Texas, despite its Republican trifecta, remains a key state to watch, balancing renewable energy growth with strong fossil fuel interests.
- California continues to face challenges modernizing its grid and navigating opposition from the solar industry over new regulations.
Key quote:
“The Legislature could unwittingly be causing major grid problems by slowing down solar and storage.”
— Doug Lewin, energy policy consultant
Why this matters:
With federal support for clean energy at risk, state policies play an increasingly important role in addressing climate change. Effective implementation of clean energy laws can either bolster or weaken national progress toward carbon reduction goals.
Related: Inslee sees state-level climate efforts as resilient against federal shifts
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Texas coal plant to transition to solar and battery with federal aid
A South Texas coal-fired power plant will be converted into a solar and battery facility with $1.4 billion in federal funding, reducing pollution and supporting local jobs.
In short:
- The San Miguel Electric Cooperative plant in Atascosa County will transition to a renewable energy facility with U.S. Department of Agriculture funding.
- The move will cut 1.8 million tons of annual climate pollution and leave 14 coal-fired plants in Texas.
- Environmentalists and local officials welcome the change, citing hopes for cleaner water and better land remediation.
Key quote:
“For years, folks in my county have been worried about water contamination from San Miguel’s lignite mine, so with this announcement, we are hopeful that McMullen County’s water will be clean long into the future.”
— McMullen County Judge James Teal
Why this matters:
The shift from coal to renewables aligns with broader efforts to combat climate change while addressing environmental justice concerns. Cleaning up pollution and protecting water resources could improve health and economic outcomes in rural South Texas.
Related: US wind and solar could surpass coal for the first time in 2024
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Petrochemical plants send millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year: Report
“This is not normal.”
Nearly 70 petrochemical companies across the nation, including 30 in Texas, are sending millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year due to weak or nonexistent regulations, according to a report published by the watchdog group Environmental Integrity Project.
The report analyzed wastewater discharges from petrochemical companies that produce plastics across the U.S., finding that a majority of the facilities had violated Clean Water Act permits and few were punished. In addition, only a few states are regulating some of the hazardous chemicals or substances of concern, and there are currently no limits set from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for these contaminants in effluent water guidelines for the plastics industry.
In the past 30 years, plastic production at petrochemical facilities has skyrocketed. The EPA estimates that plastic production in 1990 was at 17,130 tons, and by 2018 it had doubled, reaching 35,680 tons. Producing these plastics results in industrial wastewater discharges, some of which contain pollutants unregulated by federal wastewater guidelines. If the pollutant does have limits, they have been set by individual states.
The report found the following pollutants:
- Dioxins, recognized as one of the most toxic classes of compounds by the World Health Organization, can be a byproduct of producing plastics like poly-vinyl chloride, or PVC. Out of the 17 facilities that produce PVC, only three have site limits set by states.
- 1,4 dioxane, classified as a potential carcinogen, only had limits set at two facilities.
- An estimated 9.9 million pounds of nitrogen and 1.9 million pounds of phosphorus (known as nutrient pollution when combined) enter waterways from these plants annually, and can cause toxic algal blooms and fish-killing low-oxygen zones. Only one facility had limits for phosphorus pollution and none had total nitrogen limits.
- Plastic pellets, known as nurdles, are entering waterways in 27 states.
- Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are not currently considered in wastewater samples for petrochemical plant permit applications.
A majority of the facilities have poor compliance records. Out of the 70 facilities, 83% had violated the Clean Water Act at least once in the last three years (58 facilities violated permits, yet only 8 were penalized). Nearly 40% of the facilities were operating on water pollution control permits that are outdated, “but have been administratively continued by state agencies,” according to the report.
Outdated Clean Water Act regulations
The Clean Water Act, issued by the EPA in 1972, has historically been enforced through effluent water guidelines. The petrochemical facilities in the report are regulated under a category of guidelines for organic chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers.
“The (plastics) industry has experienced significant, rapid growth in recent decades and is continuing to grow,” lead author of the report and research director at the Environmental Integrity Project, Kira Dunham, told EHN. “But…wastewater discharges are being regulated by standards from over 30 years ago.”
This category of guidelines Dunham mentions has not been updated by the EPA since 1993, despite requirements for the agency to “periodically” update guidelines in accordance with technological updates for pollution control.Texas petrochemical pollution
With 17 of the 30 facilities in Texas, the Houston area — known as the petrochemical capital of the U.S. — is the number one exporter of petrochemicals in the nation.
Nearly one-third of these Texas facilities discharge wastewater into the Houston Ship Channel. Earlier this year, EHN investigated community member concerns about wastewater contamination potentially entering dredge material removed from the channel. Independent analysis from Healthy Port Communities, a collaborative of Houston-based environmental groups, noted high levels of dioxins in the soil surrounding dredge material.
“Some of the places touched on in the (Environmental Integrity Project’s) report might have one major facility that has this… pattern of discharging pollutants into waterways,” Kristen Schlemmer, senior legal director of Houston- based water justice group Bayou City Waterkeeper, told EHN. “I don't want to discount that … but it at least makes it clear who you can focus on to address the problem. Whereas in Houston, we have so many different facilities that are polluting into our waterways, that it often just makes it seem like that's normal, and that's just the way things are going to be.”
Schlemmer added that these concerns for pollution related to wastewater discharges are heightened by disasters, like this year’s derecho storm and Hurricane Beryl, in which water grows contaminated across large portions of the region. Beyond climate disasters, the Houston region is prone to chemical disasters and the state averages about one chemical release a week based on 2023 data.
“I'm hoping through this work to show that this is not normal, and (to) raise the bar in terms of what our expectations are for the facilities that live in our backyards,” Schlemmer said. “If they're not going to comply with the law …I want them to … know that they're going to be facing legal action, either from us or for government regulators.”
Earlier this year, the Environmental Integrity Project sued the EPA along with Bayou City Water Keeper, the Center for Biological Diversity and nearly 300 water justice groups in the Waterkeeper Alliance. In the original intent to sue, the group states that the EPA “has failed to perform its mandatory duty under (the Clean Water Act) ... to biennially submit state water quality reports and an analysis thereof … to Congress.”
Just last week, the EPA released its biannual preliminary plan for effluent limitations guidelines and the announcement states that the EPA plans to conduct new studies that will clarify the impact of discharges from certain industries on waterways. The plan is open for public comment here.
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Study shows $1 billion in lost tax revenue in Houston area from industry tax breaks
Top polluters are benefiting the most from tax breaks.
HOUSTON — Harris County, which encompasses Houston, is projected to lose nearly $1 billion in revenue over the lifespan of current tax breaks, many of which are given to top polluters, according to a new report from the environmental advocacy group Texas Campaign for the Environment.
The group commissioned a study with economists from the economic analytics company Autocase to analyze industrial companies for three types of tax code agreements given by cities or school districts in Harris County that would provide tax breaks. The study revealed active tax break agreements with 83 companies in the county in which the company receives things like long term property valuations. In return, companies promise economic growth, job opportunities and adherence to state and federal law, though many of the corporations receiving the tax benefits routinely break environmental laws.
The largest source of tax breaks are Chapter 313 agreements, which limit property value increases for 10 years on businesses that promise economic development and investments in the local school districts, resulting in lower taxes paid. For such agreements the report estimated nearly $788 million in revenue lost over the agreements’ lifespan — some of which are 10-15 years — even after investments from the corporations were paid. Autocase economist Stefan Dindayal said this trend differed from previous county studies where a majority of agreements are with the cities or counties themselves, not the school districts.
Although this type of tax break was replaced by a similar program in June 2023, all current agreements are honored until their expiration.
“It is primarily the state that reimburses the majority of losses (from the tax breaks) through providing state aid,” the report authors wrote. “The loss felt by the state is the foregone school property tax revenue that would otherwise have reduced the need for state aid. As a result, state taxpayers are the prime stakeholders affected.”
The school districts Channelview, Clear Lake, Goose Creek, La Porte, Deer Park and Sheldon are participating in agreements in the county.. Many of these districts are in eastern portions of Houston near heavy industry, and they experience 95% to 100% higher air toxic releases than the rest of the state according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental justice screening tool.
“The loss felt by the state is the foregone school property tax revenue that would otherwise have reduced the need for state aid. As a result, state taxpayers are the prime stakeholders affected.” - Stefan Dindayal, Autocase
The largest recipient of tax breaks was ExxonMobil, approaching $198.2 million, representing nearly 20% of all tax revenue lost in the county. The ExxonMobil complex in Baytown, TX, is the third largest petrochemical complex in the U.S. and spans 3,400 acres, or about 2,576 American football fields pieced together. With three individual sites within the complex – the olefins unit, the chemical plant and the refinery – the plant and refinery have several quarters of violations or noncompliance for the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act from the EPA. Yet, the fines from these violations total $2.46 million, less than 1.25% of the money they save in tax breaks according to this report.
ExxonMobil was followed by Lyondell Chemical, which represents 13% of Harris County’s lost revenue; and Chevron Phillips, which represents 8% of Harris County’s lost revenue. Both of these companies also have histories of environmental noncompliance and illegal emissions events, leaving community members, like Jen Hadayia, the executive director of Air Alliance, to question why “top polluters are being met with top economic incentives.”
“The study …shows that these same industries are preventing economic benefits from returning to the communities they are polluting,” Hadayia said.
At the time of publishing, Lyondell Chemical and Chevron Phillips have not responded to EHN’s requests for comment. Exxon Mobil responded, but did not comment.
The study revealed that, on average, each job created by the industries receiving these tax breaks cost $1.2 million in lost revenue. The costs ranged from $31,000 to $38.7 million per job promised. The highest tax break per job was Occidental Petroleum promising two jobs in their agreement and receiving $38.7 million per job.
“Countless times we hear these industries say that these companies are important to our region because they bring economic prosperity and they bring jobs,” the Houston regional coordinator for TCE, Dominic Chacón, said. “This (study) directly undermines that message as well. We know none of these workers are receiving millions of dollars per job like these companies are receiving.”
Houston residents, however, have seen their property taxes climb. For South Houston resident Erandi Treviño, that tax amounts to nearly one-third of the average income of her neighborhood.
“We can see here that home taxes are extremely high and truly, really onerous,” Treviño, founder of the environmental advocacy organization the Raíces Collaborative, said. “And when you have…billion dollar entities that are getting these tax breaks, clearly something here is off.”
The study projected that if revenue had been retained by Harris County city budgets could have increased funding across all budget items, including public safety and public works, from 0.2% in Houston to as much as 25% in Morgan’s Point, a city about 30 miles East of Houston.
“We can compare how many dollars are being lost for each service,” Dindayal said. “And this is kind of a neat way to get the community to actually understand what they're losing. They're not just losing a dollar amount. What they're losing is dollar amounts in these potential services that could have benefited the city and the community at large.”
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Exxon commits $200 million to Texas recycling expansion
ExxonMobil plans a $200 million investment in Texas to boost plastic recycling capacity using advanced pyrolysis technology, aiming to process 1 billion pounds of waste annually by 2027.
In short:
- ExxonMobil will expand operations at its Baytown and Beaumont, Texas, facilities to recycle up to 500 million pounds of plastic waste by 2026.
- The company uses pyrolysis technology, branded as Exxtend, to turn plastic waste into new, "virgin-quality" plastic with certified circularity.
- Exxon faces ongoing litigation from California over claims it misrepresented the efficacy of plastic recycling.
Key quote:
“We sell virgin-quality product, and a subset of our customers are buying a ‘certified circular certificate’ to demonstrate that for every ton that they buy... a ton of post-use plastic was fed into our facility.”
— Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions
Why this matters:
The initiative reflects industry efforts to address plastic pollution and promote circular economies. However, questions remain about the scalability and environmental impact of chemical recycling, especially amid legal and public scrutiny over corporate greenwashing.
Related:
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