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Proposal limits citizen challenges to polluters

"The deck is already stacked against residents when a powerful polluter applies for a permit to discharge chemicals in to our air, water and land. The contested case hearing process has played a critical role in giving residents the ability to ask the polluters tough questions and make them take steps to mitigate health and environmental threats." Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger on Senate Bill 957, which would severely restrict contested cases.

News Release | Environment Texas

Senate panel votes to weaken citizen rights to protect communities from pollution

AUSTIN – This afternoon, the Senate Natural Resources committee voted 6-3 in favor of legislation to weaken the rights of Texans to protect their communities by challenging the permits of polluters. SB 957 (Fraser) makes major changes to the contested case hearing process, which has helped Texans win stronger environmental protections in permits to build new or modify existing landfills, hazardous waste facilities and power plants.

News Release | Environment Texas

Fracking on Film: As Promised Land opens, group warns of dirty drilling damage to health and the environment

AUSTIN - As the new Matt Damon movie, Promised Land, opened in theaters today, Environment Texas sounded the alarm about the very real damage fracking is doing in here in Texas.

“Spoiler alert: The truth about fracking is even worse than what you see in the movie,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “Right here in Texas, dirty drilling operations pollute our air and use huge amounts of water.”

News Release | Environment Texas

New Obama Admin. Pollution Standards Will Save Lives

AUSTIN—Today the Obama administration will strengthen air quality standards for particulate matter or “soot” pollution. Soot pollution is the deadliest of the common air pollutants, causing thousands of premature deaths every year across the country through a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. It also contributes to haze that hangs over many of the country’s most scenic parks and wilderness areas. Sources of soot pollution include power plants and diesel trucks and buses. The strengthened standards, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, outline how much soot pollution can be in the air and still be safe to breathe, and better reflect the latest scientific research.

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Austin Ozone Reaching Dangerous Level

Air quality is not usually a large concern for most people in Austin, but new numbers show that ozone pollution has reached dangerous levels.

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Texas AG hails court 'victory' against EPA

Local and national environmental groups condemned the court's decision. Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, said the ruling "threatens the lives of thousands of Americans who have lived in the deadly shadow of power plant pollution for far too long."

News Release | Environment Texas

Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn Side with Polluters Over Texans’ Health, But Senate Rejects Rollback of Mercury Standards

The U.S. Senate rejected a bill this week which would have allowed power plants to continue spewing toxic mercury pollution into our air. This bill would have put more than a 1,000 Texans' lives at risk and yet both Senators Cornyn and Hutchison voted in favor of the legislation. The bill sought to block the EPA's requirement that power plants reduce their mercury emissions by 90%.

News Release | Environment Texas

EPA Proposes Life-Saving Soot Pollution Standards

The EPA has updated their air quality standards for particulate matter or "soot" pollution. This action will better reflect our latest scientific understanding of the problem and save thousands of lives.

News Release | Environment Texas Research & Policy Center

Obama Administration Takes Needed First Step to Protect Our Health and Environment from Fracking Air Pollution

AUSTIN-Today the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized new national standards to curb dangerous air pollution from gas drilling operations. Environment Texas praised the measure as an important first step in addressing the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing. “For communities living in the face of fracking, these new standards are a breath of fresh air,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “These standards are a needed first step to protect Texans’ health and environment from the dangers of fracking.”

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Regional Haze Rule hopes to improve smoky park views

Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, said the issue extends beyond state lines and requires national focus. “We could be doing much more to reduce emissions,” he said. “We should clean up our own mess in East Texas and work cooperatively with the federal government.” The haze, he said, has long-term effects on quality of life for community members and national park lovers. “Big Bend National Park has some of the most spectacular views in the world, but as haze floats into our national parks, it diminishes the experience,” he said. “That will reduce tourism and money for the community, so there’s a lot of far-reaching impacts.”

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