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Advocacy

DFW solar advocates seek community projects

The North Texas Renewable Energy Group, renowned for the DFW Solar Tour, seeks manageable community service projects leveraging their solar and renewable energy expertise. Interested parties should submit proposals by Feb. 6, detailing the project’s purpose, cost, required volunteers, and timeline.

Prairie advocates to expand outreach in North Texas

The Native Prairies Association of Texas, a statewide conservation group, met its fundraising goal to hire a North Texas Outreach and Stewardship Director. This role will oversee local prairie stewardship and partnerships. Less than 1% of Texas's tallgrass prairies remain, and efforts aim to conserve remaining examples threatened by urban expansion.

Texas judge halts orders granting exception to environmental rules

Molly Rooke, a Dallas Sierra Club activist, encountered hazardous abandoned oil wells on her family ranch. A Texas judge halted the Texas Railroad Commission's COVID-19 waivers for oil and gas companies, which bypassed environmental rules. Public Citizen's lawsuit emphasizes landowner rights and cleanup responsibilities amid industry bankruptcies.

Environmental law series addresses 2020 election

"Law & Nature" airs an "Election 2020" episode on EarthxTV from Nov. 9, exploring the election's impact on environmental law. Panelists will discuss issues like climate change and environmental justice, with insights from leading environmental law experts. The series emphasizes the election's potential long-term implications.

Network aims to pinpoint air pollution in DFW

Downwinders at Risk launched SharedAirDFW, a network of air quality monitors in Dallas-Fort Worth to track particulate pollution. Partnering with local institutions, they aim to gather data for advocating relocation of polluters. The project seeks 100 monitors and open data access to improve community health awareness and decision-making.

Dallas activist merges social and environmental justice

Marcus Russell, a Dallas activist, received the Environmental Justice Award for his work in merging social and environmental justice efforts. He left his ten-year job to focus on founding Commissary Is Very Necessary, aiding underserved communities with legal, health, and financial support while linking pollution to health issues and promoting environmental activism.

Garland neighborhood fights new polluting foe

A citizens' group in Garland is legally contesting a concrete batch plant that they claim will worsen existing pollution linked to severe health issues. This effort is part of a long-term campaign to address contamination by industries, highlighted by recent EPA findings of hazardous lead levels near a former battery plant.

Dallas' Shingle Mountain - Yes, it’s still there

Southern Sector Rising, supported by local groups, demands Dallas City remove "Shingle Mountain," 70,000 tons of asphalt shingles dumped illicitly. Despite lawsuits and rulings, little progress has been made. Affected residents face health issues, highlighting racial inequity. The coalition seeks removal by October 1 or will escalate actions.

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.

Environmental rollbacks continue. Here's how to keep up

While the nation grapples with the pandemic and racial injustice protests, the Trump administration continues to roll back environmental protections, reversing over 60 rules since 2017. Key rollbacks include changes to emissions rules, wetland protections, and wildlife protections. Various resources track these changes, such as Harvard and Columbia Law Schools.