Organizations across the state rally together to change TCEQ 6/16/2010

When the Texas Legislature created the Sunset Advisory Commission in 1977 it was to "to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in government agencies." Every Texas government agency must go through this process (usually once every 12 years, but some major agencies get reviewed more regularly) and the result is often reforms to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the agency.

Drought helped clean Texas beaches 7/29/2010

But Texas saw a 27 percent drop in closings and public advisories, falling from 318 in 2008. Experts believe the plunge was a result of the two-year drought that limited storm-water runoff. Karen Byrom, an Environment Texas field organizer, said updated sewage treatment systems are part of what's needed.

Report: Texas Beaches Getting Cleaner 7/29/2010

Kara Byrom, an organizer with Environment Texas, acknowledged that it would be hard to address the many unknown sources that cause problems on Texas beaches, or the rain that spurs stormwater runoff. But she said the state and the federal Environmental Protection Agency could do better at controlling chemicals and other pollutants that wind up in the runoff.

Texas beaches cleaner than many, escape most oil 7/29/2010

GALVESTON, Texas — Texas beaches were cleaner last year than in many parts of the country, according to a report released Wednesday, though a state environmental group attributed the improvement to a two-year drought rather than efforts to prevent water pollution.

Congress to Vote on Oil Leak Response Bill Tomorrow 7/29/2010

AUSTIN – Environment Texas called upon the Texas Congressional Delegation to support the CLEAR Act, Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act, (H.R. 3534), scheduled for a vote tomorrow in the U.S. House. The bill * Holds BP accountable for the oil spill by lifting the cap on liability. * Reforms offshore oil and gas drilling by tightening safety and permitting provisions * Provides funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire and protect key treasured lands in Texas, including Big Bend National Park and Big Thicket National Forest

Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches 7/28/2010

In 2009, beach closings and advisories hit their sixth-highest level in the 20 years the Natural Resources Defense Council(NRDC) has been tracking them. The continuing high number of closing and advisory days, combined with a relatively constant level of bacterial contamination at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beaches, suggests that our nation’s beaches require a more concerted effort to identify and control the sources of water pollution that put swimmers at risk.

LCRA Notice of Intent 7/15/2010

Notice of Intent to Sue for Clean Air Act Violations at the Sam Seymour Fayette Power Project Located near La Grange, Fayette County, Texas.