http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/judge-rules-for-neches-wildlife-refuge Last week, a federal judge ruled in favor of the creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in east Texas. The refuge was established in 2006 by the Fish and Wildlife Service with the support of a coalition of organizations including Environment Texas, Texas Conservation Alliance, Friends of the Neches River and others. Unfortunately, the city of Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board, under the direction of Gov. Perry, filed a lawsuit to block the refuge, seeking instead to dam the Neches River and flood the surrounding forests for use as a reservoir. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove that there were no alternative sites for a reservoir. The refuge protects one of Texas' last wild rivers, the surrounding http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/judge-rules-for-neches-wildlife-refuge Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:55:07 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/texas-energy-plan-more-of-the-same http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/texas-energy-plan-more-of-the-same Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:02:47 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/mayor-wynn-speaks-out-on-misinformation-campaign-by-realtors http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/mayor-wynn-speaks-out-on-misinformation-campaign-by-realtors Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:15:28 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/who-owns-the-sun http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/who-owns-the-sun Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:00:44 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/sxsw-film-they-killed-sister-dorothy THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY” On February 12th, 2005, Sister Dorothy Stang, http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/sxsw-film-they-killed-sister-dorothy Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:51:06 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/bryan-goes-solar http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/bryan-goes-solar Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:43:47 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/the-green-scare-how-corporations-created-the-eco-terrorist-menace sorry for the short notice, but i just found out about this. looks pretty interesting. THE GREEN SCARE: How corporations created the "eco-terrorist" menace When: http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/the-green-scare-how-corporations-created-the-eco-terrorist-menace Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:18:04 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/clean-air-smells-like-money It used to be that business leaders might describe the odor http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/clean-air-smells-like-money Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:22:19 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/2007-in-review Environment Texas played an integral part in delivering a number of important http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/2007-in-review Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:21:27 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/year-in-review-2006-meant-more-parks-wind-power-for-texas  But Texas Air and Water http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/year-in-review-2006-meant-more-parks-wind-power-for-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/sxsw-film-king-corn See the film that will change the way you eat! http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/sxsw-film-king-corn Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/details-on-parks-funding-victory Here's a good analysis by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department of the money appropriated by the Legislature to support Texas local and state parks. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20070601bLegislature Approves Additional Park Funding http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/details-on-parks-funding-victory Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/50-million-for-aquifer-protection  The City Council approved $50 million in the bond package for protecting Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer today. While falling short of our request of $75 million, this is an important victory and will go a long way towards protecting an estimated 7500 acres at imminent threat of development. Now, the next step is winning on the ballot this November. For an average cost of $3.13 per month per homeowner, the city will be making a major investment ($567 million) in our quality of life and environment. In addition to protecting the aquifer, funds would go to increase and improve our park system, to build more bike lanes, and to support affordable housing projects, a new central library, several new cultural facilities and a new animal shelter. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. More.  http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/50-million-for-aquifer-protection Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/lowering-your-carbon-footprint This is a good list of 20 steps you can take to lower your own personal contribution to global warming. The monetary savings listed are all in euros and british pounds, but rest assured these are all tips that will help the environment and lower your electric bill.http://www.kyero.com/articles/lower-your-carbon-footprint.php  http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/lowering-your-carbon-footprint Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/study-birth-defects-in-corpus-christi-twice-state-rate A new study conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services finds that babies born in the heavily polluted Corpus Christi area are twice as likely to have birth defects as the rest of the state and 17 percent more likely to have a severe birth defect. While the scientists will spend the next year looking at how close to polluted sites the mothers lived during their pregnancies, lawmakers shouldn't wait to act. We already know that pollution from refineries and chemical plants is linked to a myriad of health problems, including asthma, cancer and birth defects. These facilities routinely illegally emit dangerous chemicals into our air and water, but state regulators at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) are doing little about it. It's time for TCEQto get tough on crime and force these polluters to clean-up.Read today's San Antonio Express-News story about the birth defects study.  http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/study-birth-defects-in-corpus-christi-twice-state-rate Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/temporary-reprieve-for-christmas-mountains   After hearing from more than 3,000 Texans, today the School Land Board http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/temporary-reprieve-for-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/parks-and-wildlife-expo http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/parks-and-wildlife-expo Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/step-it-up-global-warming-rallies Folks should definitely check out the upcoming Step it Up rallies on global warming. "On November 3rd, Americans will demand real leadership on global warming. From coast to coast, we'll rally in our communities and invite our politicians to join us. We'll see who rises to the occasion and who has a real plan to tackle the defining challenge of our time. One year before the election, let's make sure the world witnesses our national call to action: Step it Up, It's time for Climate Leaders."There are several events in Texas, including this one: The Oil Patch Democrats are sponsoring an Energy & Environment Forum on November 3, 2007, at the Madras Pavilion in Sugar Land, right across Hwy 59 from First Colony Mall (on the NW corner of the intersection of Hwy 6 and US59). Representative Nick Lampson will be a guest speaker. They say, "the meeting is open to all-Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Greens, Libertarians-anyone who is interested in finding common ground on energy and the environment".RSVP here.   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/step-it-up-global-warming-rallies Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/lobby-day-feb_-26-2007 Save the date! The Alliance for a Clean Texas has set February 26 as the date for our lobby day for the 80th Legislature. Call 512-479-0388 for more information. http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/lobby-day-feb_-26-2007 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/1000-texans-rally-against-coal-plants Last Sunday, hundreds of Texans gathered on the lawn of the state capitol to http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/1000-texans-rally-against-coal-plants Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/efficiency-bill-passes-house Yesterday, Rep. Anchia, with the support of Rep. Dennis Bonnen, amended SB 12 (a clean air funding bill) to set minimum efficiency standards for nine consumer products including DVD players, office water coolers and pool pumps (thanks to all the Environment Texas members who contacted their rep in support of this measure!). The electricity savings from this amendment are huge - enough to offset 514 megawatts of peak demand (that's a pretty big coal-fired power plant we won't need thanks to this standard). According to a study by the State Energy Conservation Office, the standards will save consumers almost $200 million per year starting in 2020 (it take a few years for the program to fully ramp up, so we'll also get some savings in the meantime). It will also reduce smog pollution by 858 metric tons and global warming pollution by 1.4 million metric tons (that's like taking 259,961 cars off Texas roads). And since power plants use a ton of water, reducing all this electricity will also save Texas more than one billion gallons of water every year.SB 12 still needs to pass on third reading in the House (the appliance manufacturers may still try to monkey with the bill) and then it's on to a House/Senate conference committee. The bill's author, Sen. Averitt, originally had the appliance standards in the bill, but then stripped them out under pressure from the Texas Association of Business. Hopefully he'll have a change of heart and keep the standards in this time around.    http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/efficiency-bill-passes-house Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/protestors-decry-exxons-terrible-environmental-record Yesterday, Athan Manuel, Arctic Wilderness and Preservation Director for Environment Texas' federal lobbying office, led a group of over 100 protestors at the annual shareholder meeting of the ExxonMobil Corporation to decry the oil giant's atrocious environmental record. Athan told the national news media “Having a reputation as America’s least responsible corporate citizen http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/protestors-decry-exxons-terrible-environmental-record Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/whats-wal-mart-got-against-cypress-trees Our friends at the Gulf Restoration Network have launched a campaign to save the cypress swamps of the Gulf of Mexico. They say:     Cypress swamps are clear-cut and entire trees are ground http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/whats-wal-mart-got-against-cypress-trees Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/green-screen-films-from-the-environmental-front   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/green-screen-films-from-the-environmental-front Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/why-the-christmas-mountains-should-not-be-sold  The School Land Board will vote on Sep. 18 on the proposed sale of the Christmas Mountains to a private interest. Here are the big http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/why-the-christmas-mountains-should-not-be-sold Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/opposition-to-parks-funding-emerges The good news is that Austin is starting to get the http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/opposition-to-parks-funding-emerges Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/enough-trash-talk-already http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/enough-trash-talk-already Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/drive-stake-through-heart-of-energy-vampires http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/drive-stake-through-heart-of-energy-vampires Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/organic-conference---jan-24--27  The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association invites you to attend their January 24th-27th 'Bringing Texas Home' conference on Organic Production Systems."This 6th Annual Conference is being held in Mesquite, Texas to further the communication between producers and consumers along with educating all on the importance of healthy food for a healthy life.  The demand for organic and sustainable local foods is here and now.  This is an excellent format to connect with this lifestyle.  Fred Kirshenmann  Distinguished Fellow of the Aldo Leopold Center on Sustainability and Jessica Prentiss, founder of the Locavore movement are the Keynote Speakers.  The two track system, one for produce and the other for meat production, feature  successful Texas entrepreneurs teaching how to emulate their successes.  On Saturday, January 27th there will be 2 workshops.  The New Farmers Workshop and An Organic Gardening Workshop.  Sign up for one day, a workshop or the entire conference.  The knowledge attained is well worth it.  All food served at this conference is organic and Texas grown and included in the attendence fee.  For more information please go to www.tofga.org or call 877) 326-5175 toll free or (512) 303-0816."   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/organic-conference---jan-24--27 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/migratory-birds-and-conocophillips  Yesterday, I travelled to Houston to speak at the annual shareholders meeting of ConocoPhillips. I was there to introduce a shareholder resolution filed by Green Century Funds calling on ConocoPhillips to consider the potential environmental damage http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/migratory-birds-and-conocophillips Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/overwhelming-public-support-for-barton-springs-open-space  Public support for protecting environmentally sensitive land in the Barton Springs watershed has been overwhelming in the last few weeks. More than 1500 people have sent e-mails, signed postcards, or written letters to the Austin City Council calling on them to allocate at least $75 million for protecting vulnerable lands in the upcoming bond election. And last night, dozens of people attended a public hearing at City Hall calling for open space protection. The Council is responding. Council member Betty Dunkerly wrote "We are trying to add more dollars to open space and bring the total up to that recommended by the Bond Advisory Committee." That would mean $42 million for aquifer protection, which is a good start, but with city staff warning 7500 acres in the Barton Springs watershed are under imminent threat of development, a total of $75 million is needed.The Council is scheduled to set the final bond package on June 8, so there's still time to weigh in. As Council member Raul Alvarez told environmental advocates last night, "Keep the e-mails coming!".    http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/overwhelming-public-support-for-barton-springs-open-space Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/solar-brewery-in-san-antonio Today's San Antonio Express-News reports that an old Pearl Brewery that is being retrofitted into condos and offices will sport the state's largest solar installation. The project will take over that distinction from Fort Sam Houston, an Army base in San Antonio. Kudos to City Public Service (CPS), San Antonio's municipally-owned utility, for teaming up with the project developer, Silver Ventures, to pay for the solar installation. CPS has committed to generate 15% of the its electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar by the year 2020, matching a standard to be voted on in the US Senate today. CPS is reportedly also considering offering a modest solar rebate program, to help homeonwers and businesses pay for solar. Nice work, CPS! On the downside, CPS is planning to participate in the expansion of the South Texas (Nuclear) Project and is building a new coal-fired power plant. http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/solar-brewery-in-san-antonio Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/polar-bears-drowning-eating-each-other  If the horrific stories of polar bears drowning because global warming is melting the Arctic ice shelf wasn't bad enough, new research reported by the Associated Press suggests polar bears may be resorting to cannibalism because "longer seasons without ice keep them from getting to their natural food". This is an outrage. And if polar bears and the north pole aren't your top priority, scientists report that Texas' environment and public health are in serious trouble too. 2005 was the hottest year on record, and we are already seeing the signs of global warming, such as melting glaciers and more destructive hurricanes.  In Texas, global warming threatens to raise sea levels, cause serious future water shortages, and create more frequent and severe heat waves, which will increase the number of people who suffer heat stress and stroke.Fortunately, we have solutions: clean energy sources, such as wind and solar power, cars that go farther on a gallon of gasoline, more energy efficient buildings and appliances, and more.  Not only will these solutions reduce global warming pollution from the largest sources, including power plants, cars, and SUVs, they also will decrease our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, and protect pristine places from oil drilling and mining.To protect our children and future generations, our leaders in Washington must act. They should support reducing global warming pollution nationwide from today’s levels within 10 years and by 60-80% by 2050.   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/polar-bears-drowning-eating-each-other Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/utilities-launch-opposition-to-renewable-standard  Tomorrow the US House will vote on an amendment by Reps. Udall (D-NM) and Platts (R-PA) to require 20% of the nation's electricity to come from renewable sources like wind and solar by the year 2020. The vote is expected to be very close and the utilities, manufacturers and other opponents are going all out to defeat the amendment.You can see from this print ad and hear from this radio ad, their message is let the states continue theit successful renewable energy programs, don't create a one-sized fits all national mandate. Two interesting things about this. First they don't outright attack renewable energy on feasibility or cost grounds: clearly we've won the debate on the promise of and public support for renewables. Second, these same companies fight tooth and nail at the state level to block renewable energy so they're clearly talking out of both sides of their mouth. The good news is we are incredibly close to winning and our opponents are running scared. Thanks to the Dallas Morning News and San Antonio Express-News for their supportive editorials and to the many elected officials and institutions that have endorsed this effort, including state Reps. David Swinford and Mike Villarreal, state Senators Rodney Ellis and Leticia Van de Putte, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, Austin Energy and dozens of other business, religious and community leaders. Here's a great letter from our allies at the National Association of Clean Air Agencies.    http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/utilities-launch-opposition-to-renewable-standard Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/environment-focus-of-governor39s-race What a difference four years makes. In the last gubernatorial election in 2002, nary a word was mentioned by the candidates about Texas' significant environmental challenges. This time around, Texas' poor air quality, struggling parks system and dependence on dirty energy are getting lots of attention by the leading candidates. First, independent Kinky Friedman toured the state to examine environmental problems and opportunities, touting his plan to make big investments in clean energy sources like wind and biodiesel (and his plan to make Willie Nelson a clean energy czar). Then, Democrat Chris Bell announced a strong environmental agenda that would get tough on polluters, require 10% of our electricity come from renewable energy, and end the fast-tracking of 17 proposed new coal-fired power plants. Yesterday, Comptroller Carole Strayhorn, also running as an independent, joined the chorus calling for more careful review of the coal plants and promised to appoint a "clean air advocate" to the TCEQ. Goveror Perry has yet to announce an environmental agenda and instead has just defended his executive order fast-tracking the new coal plants which, if constructed, would be a disaster for our environment, pumping out 30% more global warming pollution from a state that already leads the nation in emissions and severely damaging the efforts of the Dallas Fort Worth area to meet federal air quality standards for smog.Overall, Perry has a pretty poor record on the environment. In 2004, bowing to his polluting contributors, Governor http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/environment-focus-of-governor39s-race Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/new-hope-for-christmas-mountains   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/new-hope-for-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/author-to-speak-at-bookpeople-on-e-waste On Oct. 17, Author Elizabeth Grossman Will Discuss Her Investigation http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/author-to-speak-at-bookpeople-on-e-waste Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/reform-the-infamous-1872-mining-law Action alert from our friends at the Texas Conservation Alliance:  Congress http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/reform-the-infamous-1872-mining-law Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/fight-against-coal-plants-heats-up Six months ago I was pretty pessimistic about our chances to stop plans to build 19 new coal-fired power plants in Texas. But some amazing organizing by an unlikely coalition of environmental groups, Texas cities, ranchers, and business leaders has created a political firestorm that could stop many, if not all, the plants from being built. When you look at the facts, it just doesn't make sense to build these things, particularly when we have cheaper, faster and cleaner alternatives. And that's the energy future Texans prefer. Polling done by the Environmental Integrity Project found that "two-thirds of Texans oppose the new coal-fired power plants -including roughly half (47 percent) who say they do so "strongly".We've got a long fight ahead and the stakes are enormous. Today the Texas Association of Business launched a media tour to try to win public support for the coal plants.Part of the wonder of activism is having some fun while you're fighting. Take a moment to check out this cute video from Laura Freeman and Kim Lehman. Then, recruit lots of friends to come to Austin for the Alliance for a Clean Texas lobby day on Feb. 26. Let's pack the Capitol with clean air activists and put an end to the coal plants once and for all.   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/fight-against-coal-plants-heats-up Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/architecture-2030-a-bold-solution-to-global-warming----3/21/07 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/architecture-2030-a-bold-solution-to-global-warming----3/21/07 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/border-fence-and-wildlife Here's an important article from the Dallas Morning News about the threat posed to wildlife from a planned border fence. http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/border-fence-and-wildlife Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/on-smog-day-austin-city-council-speaks-out-against-new-coal-plants On yet another day in Austin in which state environmental officials have warned that our air is not safe to breathe, the Austin City Council passed a resolution opposing the construction of 16 new coal-fired power plants in Texas unless critical air quality mitigation steps are required. The new coal plants pose a serious risk to Texas' environment and public health and will lead to an increase in emissions of smog, soot, mercury and global warming pollution. Learn more at http://stopthecoalplant.org/.  http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/on-smog-day-austin-city-council-speaks-out-against-new-coal-plants Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/citgo-guilty-of-breaking-environmental-laws Congratulations to our friends at the Citizens for Environmental Justice for years of hard work to draw attention to air quality violations in Corpus Christi-area refineries.  Citgo and subsidiary found guilty Jury says storage tanks in Corpus Christi lacked proper emissions controls http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/citgo-guilty-of-breaking-environmental-laws Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/land-commissioner-patterson-briefs-e-tex-staff-on-wind-energy   Commissioner Jerry Patterson spoke to Environment Texas staff yesterday about the General Land Office's work to encourage wind power off the coast of Texas. Unlike all other states, which have control of offshore lands up to three miles off their coasts, Texas has control of lands of about ten miles offshore, a distance at which conditions for wind power are best suited. Texas has control of these submerged lands because Gen. Sam Houston negotiated those terms when Texas was annexed by the U.S. and because Texas Governor Allan Shivers restored this control after Congress took it away in the 20s. According to Commissioner Patterson, as Lieutenant Governor, Shivers had long been a "one-note johnny" fighting to get control of the lands back. He got his chance to make it happen when Gov. Jester, in a moment of "strenuous physical activity" with his girlfriend on a train ride, died of a heart attack. Taking over as Governor, Shivers was able to convince President Eisenhower to cede control back to Texas. As a result, in 2005, Texas was able to lease the first offshore wind farm in the nation (other states like Massachusetts are considering offshore farms, but because those projects would be in federal rather than state waters, opponents like the oil industry have been able to stall progress in part by trying to get the federal government to block the project on ludicrous national security grounds).   Offshore wind development is absolutely critical to end our addiction to oil and to combat the enormous problem of global warming. Wind power is clean, affordable energy and we need to expedite its development, while making sure to mitigate any potentially harmful impacts, such as harm to migratory birds.     http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/land-commissioner-patterson-briefs-e-tex-staff-on-wind-energy Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/environmental-harms-of-border-fence http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/environmental-harms-of-border-fence Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/campus-alliance-for-progress Environment http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/campus-alliance-for-progress Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/christmas-mountains-a-hunter39s-perspective by Mark WilsonI have read with great interest the articles on the possible http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/christmas-mountains-a-hunter39s-perspective Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/author-of-climate-change-book-in-austin The Rough Guide to Climate Change is a "balanced and comprehensive guide to global warming, covering the science, the symptoms and the solutions". On Monday, November 20th from 5:30-7pm, the author, Robert Henson, will speak and sign copies of the book  at Intellectual Property bookstore (at the corner of 24th and Guadalupe in Austin).see: http://www.roughguides.com/climatechange/ http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/author-of-climate-change-book-in-austin Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/new-film-on-texas-parks-starring-ethan-hawke   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/new-film-on-texas-parks-starring-ethan-hawke Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/bill-would-shield-companies-from-liability-for-water-contamination  I sent the following letter to members of the Texas House of Representatives on Monday urging them to oppose HB 1927, which would let oil and chemical companies off the hook for contaminating water supplies with the chemical MTBE. The good news is that the bill continues to be postponed, a good sign that the bill's author, Rep. Warren Chisum, doesn't have the votes to pass it. The deadline for the House to pass House bills is this Thursday. http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/bill-would-shield-companies-from-liability-for-water-contamination Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/great-environmental-events-coming-up There are lots of great environmental events coming up in the next few weeks around the state. In Houston, the Mayor's office is convening an Environmental Summit on June 1. Then, on June 7, former Vice President Al Gore will present a visually stunning, multimedia presentation called “An http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/great-environmental-events-coming-up Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/environment-texas-t-shirts-on-sale Environment Texas now has t-shirts, baby gear and mugs for sale. You can check out our online store here. http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/environment-texas-t-shirts-on-sale Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/neches-river-refuge-protected  Yesterday, the director of the Fish and Wildlife Service announced the establishment of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge, which will protect one of Texas's last wild rivers, the surrounding forests, and the habitat of wildlife like bobcats, river otters, and the threatened American Alligator.With more than 75% of the hardwood forest in Texas already destroyed, the old-growth oaks and bald cypress trees along the wild Neches river are ranked a "number one priority" for conservation by the federal government.Although the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) had identified this area for protection as far back as 1985, water developers with the city of Dallas had been pushing to cancel plans to create the refuge so the city could use the site for their proposed Fastrill reservoir, drowning forever some of Texas' last best hardwood forests. The developers put on a full-court press to stop the Refuge, hiring powerful lobbyists like Cliff Johnson, former advisor to three Texas governors, and Katherine Armstrong, former Parks and Wildlife Commissioner and recent host of Vice President Cheney's infamous hunting trip.The approval of the refuge means the Service can begin purchasing land to establish the refuge, effectively blocking water developers from building the reservoir.This is a major victory in the fight to protect Texas natural areas, and wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of a coalition of organizations including the Texas Committee on Natural Resources, the Friends of the Neches River, the Conservation Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, Environment Texas and others.  And, of course, major credit goes to Dale Hall, director of Fish and Wildlife, for standing up to the water developers and doing the right thing. Send him a thank you note.   http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/neches-river-refuge-protected Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/man-sits-in-worlds-largest-reusable-shopping-bag-to-raise-environmental-awareness-about-plastic-bags  I just received the press release below from a man in San Angelo who plans to "be lowered by crane into BIGBAG1, the world’s largest reusable canvas http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/man-sits-in-worlds-largest-reusable-shopping-bag-to-raise-environmental-awareness-about-plastic-bags Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/governor-backs-parks-funding-increase We are gaining serious momentum http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/governor-backs-parks-funding-increase Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/youtube-video-on-clean-energy Our intern Kat Overland put together a great youtube video about the need for clean energy. check it out: http://www.youtube.com/environmenttexas http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/youtube-video-on-clean-energy Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/vote-yes-on-2--3-event--zilker-clubhouse Tuesday, October 24, 5:30pm to 8:30pm http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/vote-yes-on-2--3-event--zilker-clubhouse Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/surprise-announcement-on-christmas-mountains Today Commissioner Patterson held a news conference to make a "surprise" announcement about the Christmas Mountains. Unfortunately, it was more of a surprise punch to the head than good news. Basically he says that tomorrow the School Land Board will accept one of the two bids received from private interests in the recent auction. However, he says he will give the National Park Service ninety days to meet or exceed the terms laid out by the winning bid, which includes allowing hunting and concealed weapons, which the National Park Service doesn't do, so it's a poison pill provision. So basically no change. Also today, Environment Texas turned in about 6000 petition signatures to Gov. Perry and Attorney General Abbott asking them to instruct their appointees on the School Land Board to vote against Patterson. We'll see how they end up voting at tomorrow's meeting. If you can attend, the info is below.WHERE:     Stephen F. Austin Building                1700 North Congress Ave. Room #170                Austin, Texas 78701 http://www.environmenttexas.org/blog/home/surprise-announcement-on-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600