About Environment Texas
We’re your state environmental group, protecting the places we love, advancing the environmental values we share, and winning real results for our environment.
Who we are
Environment Texas is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. We believe there’s something special about Texas — something worth protecting and preserving for future generations. Whether it's swimming at Barton Springs on a hot day, paddling down the Trinity River or hiking through Big Bend National Park, Texas' natural wonders enrich our lives in countless ways.
Yet the places we love and the environmental values so many of us share are too often threatened by powerful industries, shortsighted politicians and more. Defending our environment requires independent research, tough-minded advocacy and spirited grassroots action. That’s the idea behind Environment Texas. Together with thousands of supporters from all walks of life, we take the kind of action that wins tangible results for our environment.
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OUR STAFF
What we do
Funded by supporters like you, we research the challenges confronting Texas' environment and educate the public about what’s at stake. Through our research reports, news conferences, interviews with reporters, op-ed pieces, letters to the editor and more, we raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sensible solutions. Our canvassers meet people where they are — in public places or door to door — raising awareness, recruiting new supporters and activists, and raising funds to support our work.
When decisions are being made about Texas' environment, our elected officials hear plenty from the oil companies, developers and other powerful interests. We make the case for our environment and help people like you make your voice heard, through petitions, emails, letters, phone calls and more, all delivered to the right people just when it matters most.
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Environment Texas Research & Policy Center
Results
- Standing up to Texas' biggest polluters. Our Texas Clean Air Project won a landmark settlement against Shell oil in 2009, after the company agreed to reduce emissions at its Deer Park plant by 80 percent—and pay a record settlement of almost $6 million. In 2010, using the same legal strategy, we settled a case with Chevron Phillips, after they agreed to cut pollution by 85 percent at their Baytown chemical plant a pay a fine of $2 million.
- Keeping the Eastern Gulf rig-free. After months of campaigning by Environment Texas and allied organizations, the Obama administration announced a ban on drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Since the BP rig exploded last spring, we've rallied thousands of Texans to sign petitions and join "Hands Across the Sand" events, stretching across the Gulf from Galveston to Austin.
- Opposing E. coli in our water. When the state environmental commission passed new rules allowing for more E. coli in our waters, Environment Texas struck back. We mobilized thousands of members, generated media attention to the issue and worked closely with EPA officials, who have the power to protect all our waters.