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.”

News Release | Environment Texas Research & Policy Center

President Obama & EPA Protect Public Health, Announce Landmark Mercury Standard for Power Plants

AUSTIN– Today, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever nationwide standard for mercury and air toxics pollution from power plants. A record 907,000 Americans submitted comments on the standard, which is expected to cut toxic mercury pollution from power plants by 90 percent.

News Release | Environment Texas

San Antonio Power Plant Expected to Be Retired

SAN ANTONIO – Environment Texas hailed the expected announcement today by San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro that the city-owned CPS Energy will retire the polluting Deely power plant by the year 2018 and replace its power with additional investments in solar energy. According to research by Environment Texas, in 2009, the Deely plant emitted 3657 tons of nitrogen oxide, a key precursor to smog pollution. The two Deely smokestacks join with the two “Spruce” units to make up the Calaveras Power Station, which an April Environment Texas report found ranked 11th out of the state’s 20 power plants for mercury pollution.  And according to a study by the Clean Air Task Force, power plant pollution in Bexar County is linked to 282 asthma attacks and 11 deaths every year. Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger released the following statement: