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By Kiah Collier

Oil pumps silhouetted against a golden, misty landscape.
Jul 09 2020, Kiah Collier

Texas ranks second in budget cuts for environmental protection

Over the past decade, Texas reduced environmental protection funding by 35% despite increased industrial activity. This ranks Texas second among 30 states in funding cuts, which occurred as state revenue grew. The Environmental Integrity Project highlights that cuts coincide with federal efforts to shift more environmental oversight to states.
Flooded river with muddy water and uprooted trees, surrounded by green forest.
Jun 02 2020, Kiah Collier

New Texas A&M study: Extreme weather ahead

A Texas A&M study predicts warmer weather, more wildfires, urban flooding, and intensified hurricanes in Texas by 2036 due to climate change. Despite some positive aspects, such as stable river flooding, the study emphasizes the need for climate resilience initiatives, which face political challenges in the state.
Map showing proposed levee and park near Galveston Bay, Texas.
Jul 31 2019, Kiah Collier

Rice, Texas A&M vie to protect Houston from hurricanes

Rice University proposes the Galveston Bay Park Plan, a $3-6 billion project for hurricane protection in the Houston-Galveston area, focusing on quicker, cheaper, and multipurpose solutions compared to Texas A&M's $20 billion coastal barrier system. It aims to protect key areas and be completed by 2027.
Mar 20 2019, Kiah Collier

Houston petrochemical fire out after three days of burning

A Houston-area petrochemical fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company was extinguished after three days. The facility had a history of environmental violations. While air quality was deemed safe, officials warned sensitive populations to limit exposure. Firefighting faced challenges due to reduced water pressure. No injuries or explosion risks were reported.
Factory obscured by mist, surrounded by trees, under a cloudy sky.
Jan 18 2019, Kiah Collier

Texas coal plants leaching toxins into groundwater, report says

Texas coal plants are contaminating groundwater with pollutants like arsenic and cobalt from coal ash, a report by the Environmental Integrity Project warns. Most disposal sites lack proper lining to prevent leakage, and contamination exceeds federal health benchmarks, posing risks to human health and the environment.
Nov 30 2016, Kiah Collier

Feds sue to block acquisition of Dallas radioactive waste company

An overhead view in 2012 of Waste Control Specialists' low-level radioactive waste storage facilities near Andrews, Texas.  David Bowser/Texas Tribune.

From the Texas Tribune

Nov. 30, 2016

The U.S. Justice Department is suing to block a Salt Lake City-based company's acquisition of Waste Control Specialists, the Dallas-based company that wants to expand the nuclear waste dump it operates in West Texas.

Nov 16 2016, Kiah Collier

How will Texas energy — and environment — fare under Trump?

From the Texas Tribune.

Nov. 16, 2016

Donald Trump’s upset win last week was generally cheered by the Texas oil and gas industry and lamented by environmentalists who found a major ally in the Obama administration amid long-suffering efforts to protect the state’s air and water and promote renewable energy sources.