Sierra Club Steps in as Watchdog After Trump’s EPA Uses COVID-19 Crisis to Curb Enforcement of Pollution Laws
April 22, 2020
Today, the Sierra Club announced the Texas rollout of a new “polluter watchdog” program, by issuing Freedom of Information ACT (FOIA) and Texas Public Information Act requests to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on...
Are Texas Water Quality Standards in a Race to the Bottom?
April 21, 2020
In the middle of a pandemic, you might be thinking about ways to get outdoors while still practicing physical distancing. Well if you plan on visiting a river, reservoir or stream, one thing you might consider is just how safe it is to swim in that...
Sierra Club Calls on Railroad Commission to Stop Allowing Industry to Flare Off Gas at Drilling Sites
April 21, 2020
Even as oil plummets to negative prices and a glut in the oil market continues to burgeon, and the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) discusses “proration” -- cuts in oil production to stabilize prices -- the RRC is still granting requests from Texas...
Lawsuits Challenge Approval of Rio Grande and Annova Fracked Gas Export Facilities in Texas for Harm to Endangered Ocelot
April 20, 2020
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act, putting ocelot at risk of extinction in the U.S.
San Antonio Virtual Town Hall: Our Power, Our Water
April 14, 2020
A virtual town this Thursday entitled, “Our Power, Our Water,” promises to unpack and expand upon the outlet’s fifth broadcast about utility justice.
Sierra Club to RRC: If You Want Stability, Address the Pollution from Flaring and Venting
April 14, 2020
In a virtual meeting, three elected Commissioners of the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) considered a petition to “prorate” oil production during the COVID-19 emergency. The Commission’s immediate concern is whether they should act on a petition by...
TCEQ Approves Widely-Opposed Permit for Fracked Gas Export Terminal in the Valley
April 8, 2020
Today, while a global pandemic is infecting the globe, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved the hotly opposed air permit for the Annova LNG fracked gas terminal during an online commissioners meeting.
Sierra Club Challenges EPA’s Attempt to Reinstate Air Pollution Loopholes in Texas
April 8, 2020
Late yesterday, a broad coalition of environmental and community groups challenged EPA’s plan to reopen the Startup, Shutdown, Malfunction (SSM) loopholes in Texas, which would allow dirty industrial facilities like coal plants and oil refineries to...
Sierra Club, Public Citizen, and Others Call On Gov. Abbott to Ban Utility Disconnections
April 8, 2020
Sierra Club, Public Citizen and several other legal aid and justice organizations sent a joint letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott late Tuesday calling on him to issue an executive order to ensure all Texas residents, regardless of their location...
Kinder Morgan Spills Into Drinking Water During Construction of Permian Highway Fracked Gas Pipeline
April 6, 2020
Kinder Morgan has spilled drilling fluid into local drinking water wells during construction of its Permian Highway fracked gas pipeline