Public News Service

Liquefied gas export terminals have zeroed in on the Texas Coast for a major expansion of the industry. (AA+W/Adobe Stock)

Climate activists along TX coast want LNG ban

Climate and environmental activists along the Texas Coast are celebrating after receiving favorable news from an insurance company covering liquefied …

Activists said Wall Street is bankrolling the coal, oil and gas companies, polluting communities. (Nicola/Adobe Stock)

TX climate activists target Wall Street

Environmental activists from across the country, including from Texas, are spending the summer protesting on Wall Street to highlight the effects the …

According to a report from the environmental group Air Alliance Houston, Altivia Oxide Chemicals had the highest number of high-priority pollution violations and penalties paid. (Shinonome Studio/Adobe Stock)

Houston nonprofit reveals 'Dirty Dozen' top air polluters in region

The environmental group Air Alliance Houston has released its list of the top 12 air polluters in Harris County, calling them the "Dirty Dozen." The …

Environmentalists say the plastics and fossil fuel industries driving plastic pollution and related problems have made false promises about efforts to address the pollution. (aryfahmed/Adobe Stock)

TX environmental groups fight for global plastics treaty

Environmental groups in Texas are backing a proposed global plastics treaty set to be finalized by the end of the year. The treaty aims to minimize …

The group says the United States should work with partner countries willing and able to enforce strict terms or face sanctions. (Anastasiia/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups want say in Critical Mineral Agreements

A group of environmental and civil society organizations is fighting for better working conditions for people in countries that supply critical minera…

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice because its prisons are not air conditioned. (Felix Pergande/Adobe Stock)

People in TX prisons claim heat-related health effects, demand air conditioning

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is facing a class action lawsuit calling for the agency to add central air conditioning to all its prisons…

The Empowering Rural America program represents the largest investment in rural electrification since implementation of the 1936 Rural Electrification Act. (Courtesy Rural Power Coalition)

'Power to People' film highlights 'New ERA' for rural electric co-ops

A film debuts in Texas today to help member-owned utility customers learn more about opportunities coming their way from the 2022 Inflation Reduction …

Latinos make up about 25% of the U.S. population, but only 5.2% are lead actors in the film industry and less than 3% of directors and screenwriters are Latino, according to the 2022 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report. (MACLEG/AdobeStock)

Virtual national film festival highlights Hispanic Heritage Month

A film festival created to help close the gap in storytelling for people of color is offering free, virtual showings as part of Hispanic Heritage …

Scientific evidence shows air pollution can contribute to adverse birth outcomes, infant mortality, damaged lung function, asthma, cancer and even neurological disorders and childhood obesity, according to UNICEF data. (SoloviovaLiudmyla/AdobeStock)

West Dallas Neighborhood Seeks Relief From Major Air Polluter

A West Dallas neighborhood, citing decades of air and noise pollution, wants an asphalt shingle plant to abandon its decades-old location - but foot-…

The Castner Range contains cultural sites that document the history of Native tribes, while also providing habitat for wildlife such as the golden eagle, mountain lions and the western burrowing owl. (Dale/AdobeStock)

Texas' Poppy-Covered Castner Range Now State's Third National Monument

A celebration will be held in El Paso Friday after five decades of activism paid off, when President Joe Biden designated Texas' Castner Range a …

Black communities bear disproportionate hardships of the environmental crisis, but have historically been left out of the environmental movement. (upstreamsolutions.org)

Environmentalists: Education, Empowerment Needed Post-Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrations this month commemorated freedom, but Black and Brown people are still disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices …

Over the past five years, the U.S. has gone from exporting almost no liquefied natural gas (LNG), to exports being about 10% of total U.S. gas production, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. (Adobe Stock)

TX Group Makes Earth Day Plea for Cleaner Environment

It is Earth Day, and the Texas Campaign for the Environment is backing a movement targeting fossil-fuel exporters across the state. Texas is the …

A 2020 report by Greenpeace USA and Oil Change International found reinstating the crude-oil export ban could cut global carbon-dioxide emissions by as much as 181 million tons annually. (Adobe Stock)

“Sacrifice Zone:" Port Arthur in Path of Industrial Pollution

The latest American Cancer Society research estimates more than 139,000 Texans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2022. One of the "hot …

Four years ago last month, Hurricane Irma slammed into Texas with 100 mph winds and torrential rainfall. (harriscountysheriff)

How Texas Could Benefit from "Build Back Better"

HOUSTON -- How much would the Lone Star State benefit from the Biden administration proposals for clean energy and infrastructure? More than most…

To fulfill President Donald Trump's promised U.S.-Mexico border wall, the administration waived requirements for environmental reviews and mediation. (wikipedia)

Biden Promises Environmental Damage Review of Trump's Border Wall

EL PASO, Texas -- The Biden administration has promised to conduct a damage assessment after announcing that billions diverted for construction of …

An estimated 8% of Texas children, or about 541,000, suffer from asthma, according to the Texas Department of Health Services. (vitalrecordtamhsc.edu)

Congress on Track to Revive Oil, Gas Methane Emission Limits

AUSTIN, Texas -- Regulating methane emissions is seen as an important part of President Joe Biden's ambitious plans to address climate change…

Texas has the highest number of billion-dollar weather disasters and leads the United States in total cumulative costs from billion-dollar disasters since 1980, according to NOAA. (andrewtheshrew/Pixabay)

Climate Change Expected to Increase Displacement, Migration in Texas

HOUSTON -- The Biden administration has said it wants to prevent worst-case scenarios due to climate change, and Texas has several risks that need to …

A lack of zoning in places such as Houston often means the most vulnerable people are in the path of harmful pollution. (EDAF)

Poll: White Americans Unaware of Pollution Impacts in Disadvantaged Areas

AUSTIN, Texas -- When high pollution levels occur in a neighborhood, residents are likely to be Black or Latino families, and a new survey finds many …

Una falta de zonificaci�n en lugares como Houston, frecuentemente significa que la gente m�s vulnerable va rumbo a una contaminaci�n nociva. (EDAF)

Encuesta: Los Americanos Blancos No son Conscientes de los Impactos de la Contaminación en las Áreas Marginadas

Austin, TX - Cuando ocurren los niveles altos de contaminación en un barrio, muy posiblemente los residentes sean familias Negras o Latinas - y …

Some deep-sea corals can grow hundreds of feet tall, while others live for thousands of years. (noaa.gov)

Fragile Coral Hotspots in Gulf Win Federal Protection

HOUSTON -- Ancient coral hotspots in the Gulf of Mexico will be protected from damaging fishing gear, in a plan approved by federal officials…

Mortality rates are down, but cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in U.S. children ages 1-19. (unitypoint.org)

Kids' Advocates: It's Time to Prevent Childhood Cancer

AUSTIN, Texas -- Cancer is the leading cause of death among children, despite advances in treatment. David Levine, cofounder and president of the …

According to the latest report by international climate scientists, just 11 years remain to reverse course on climate pollution before the path toward catastrophic impacts becomes irreversible. (Julian Meehan/Flickr)

Texas Students Join Global Climate Strike

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Inspired by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg of Sweden, Texas students are joining a global strike today …

In December, the Texas Municipal Power Association announced plans to shutter the Gibbons Creek coal-fired power plant indefinitely due to high operating costs. (Pmelton87/Wikimedia Commons)

Texas Cities Leading Transition to Renewables

GEORGETOWN, Texas – In 2018, Georgetown became the first city in Texas to get 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, and …

A number of species call the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge home, but groups worry that border wall construction would threaten their habitat. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife/Flickr)

Groups Sue Over Texas Border Wall Plans

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A coalition is suing the Trump administration over this month's decision to waive environmental and other laws to move …

Natural gas wells are known to be sources of problematic air pollution and may be causing issues in developing fetuses. (Pixabay)

Study Links Emissions From Fracked Wells to Low Birthweight Babies

ODESSA, Texas – Pregnant women living next to fracked gas wells in Texas and elsewhere are more likely to have a low birth-weight baby - that's …

Est�n creciendo en Texas los empleos en manufactura y en otras industrias que pagan bien y no exigen un t�tulo de bachiller (BA) o de 4 a�os, seg�n indica un nuevo reporte.

Reporte: Número de Empleos Bien Pagados Crece en Texas

WACO, Texas – Un estudio reciente que comienza a circular hoy muestra que en Texas y en todo el país está aumentando la cantidad de …

La EPA estima que hay m�s de 8 mil nuevas operaciones de petr�leo y gas suficientemente cercanas a los residentes de Texas como para afectarles negativamente con emisiones de metano t�xico. (McNew/GettyImages)

Se acaba el tiempo para comentar la suspensión de las Reglas del Metano

San Antonio, TX – Este miércoles (9 agosto) es el último día para enviar comentarios sobre el retraso de dos años para que …

Air quality monitors in Texas have indicated high ozone levels, indicating excessive emissions of methane and other toxic compounds from oil and gas wells. (EyeEm/GettyImages)

Court Ruling on Oilfield Methane Emissions has Big TX Implications

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Clean air advocates say it's a breath of fresh air for Texas - as a federal court blocks Trump Administration efforts to …

Los monitores de la calidad del aire en Texas han indicado altos niveles de ozono, lo que significa emisiones excesivas de metano y otros compuestos t�xicos provenientes de pozos de gas y petr�leo (EyeEm/GettyImages)

Decisión de la Corte sobre emisiones de metano en pozos, con grandes implicaciones para TX

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Una corte federal bloqueó un intento de detener la normatividad de la Era Obama que controla las emisiones de metano …

Groups are asking a federal judge to force the EPA to investigate longstanding environmental complaints, including about an oil-refinery expansion in Beaumont. (TomasSereda/iStockphoto)

Groups Seek Long-Delayed Environmental Justice in EPA Case

BEAUMONT, Texas – Five nonprofit groups, including one in Texas, filed a motion in federal court this week to force the EPA to follow up on …

La nueva regulaci�n cubrir� 300,000 millas de ductos existentes para la transmisi�n de gas natural. (Pixabay)

Hoy cierran los comentarios sobre la regulación para nuevos gasoductos

AUSTIN, Texas – Este jueves termina el lapso para recibir comentarios ciudadanos en torno a la revisión total que propuso la …

View of lower Pine Spring Canyon and the Guadalupe Peak Trail from Hunter Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Texas is battling the EPA over regulations designed to control haze in the park. (National Park Service)

Texas Sues EPA Over Haze Plan Enforcement

AUSTIN, Texas - The state of Texas has sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for rejecting the state's haze reduction plan for national …

Climate change is likely to have far-reaching impacts on livestock and crops throughout the world, according to a new report. Credit: USDA

Global Food System Faces Multiple Threats from Climate Change

AUSTIN, Texas - Climate change will have a big impact on food security across the globe, but will hit the poor and people living in tropical regions …

Reproductive health physicians say increases in exposure to toxic chemicals over the last four decades is threatening human reproduction and health. Credit: Tomas Sereda/iStockphoto

Doctors Urge Greater Efforts to Prevent Toxic Chemical Exposure

AUSTIN, Texas - Dramatic increases in exposure to toxic chemicals over the last four decades is threatening human reproduction and health. That's …

More than three quarters of Latino voters support Pope Francis' theology on environmental conservation, according to a new study. Credit: Neneos/iStockphoto

Survey: Latino Voters Agree with Pope on Climate

AUSTIN, Texas - One group particularly receptive to Pope Francis during his U.S. visit was the Latino community. A recent survey by GreenLatinos …

A new report highlights how U.S. presidents have legal authority to keep 450-billion tons of climate pollution in the ground. Credit: acilo/iStockphoto.

Report: Presidents Have Power to Limit Climate Pollution

AUSTIN, Texas - A new report from the Center for Biological Diversity highlights how President Barack Obama, or any other sitting president, has …

Texas is on the hook to reduce carbon emissions from existing fossil fuel power plants. Credit: Larry D. Moore/Wikimedia Commons.

Clean Power Plan Could Have Texas Breathing Easier

HOUSTON – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a significant step to slash carbon pollution with Monday's release of the Clean Po…

PHOTO: Texas is on the verge of receiving one billion dollars in damages stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the proper use of those funds is being called vital to the state's future ecology and economy. Photo credit: Stuart Seegar/Flickr.

One Billion Dollars in BP Fines Creates Opportunity for Texas Gulf Coast Restoration

GALVESTON, Texas - Fines paid by British oil giant BP in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will soon be flowing …

La inmigraci�n es un asunto importante, de cara a la elecci�n de oto�o, pero hay otra clave cuando se trata de electores latinos: la postura que tienen los candidatos sobre asuntos de conservaci�n. Cr�dito de la foto: Rob Boudon/Flickr.

La Conservación del Ambiente, prioridad para electores hispanos

AUSTIN, Texas - La Inmigración es un tema que debe abordarse ante la elección de otoño, pero hay otro que es clave para los …

PHOTO: An estimated 80 percent of the North American population of the dark-eyed junco species breeds within the boreal forest of Canada. Photo credit: Jeff Nadler

Greater Protections Needed for North America’s Bird Nursery

AUSTIN, Texas - They provide benefits for everything from the economy to the ecology, and a new report finds that the songbirds now migrating north …

PHOTO: A long-running legal battle over which water bodies are covered by the Clean Water Act could be coming to an end, with a proposed rule to provide clarity on which are eligible. Photo credit: Robert Nunnally

Texas Brewer Raises a Glass for Clarity on Clean Water Act

AUSTIN, Texas - It's a plan to better protect the most vulnerable waters across the state and nation, and among those giving cheers are some Texas …

PHOTO: When restoration funds from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are allocated to the states, those who live and work along the coast want to make sure Texas lawmakers spend the money on its intended purpose. Photo credit: Bill Rand

Making Sure Gulf Coast Restoration Funding is Used for Intended Purpose

PORT MANSFIELD, Texas - As plans are put in place to allocate restoration funds from the massive BP oil spill, Texans who depend on the Gulf Coast …

PHOTO: A flock of around 300 whooping cranes is now returning to Texas for the winter after flying in from summer breeding grounds in Canada. CREDIT: Texas Parks and Wildlife

World's Last Flock of Wild Whooping Cranes Returns to Texas

AUSTIN, Texas - The world's last flock of wild whooping cranes is now arriving in Texas, as the endangered birds make their annual winter migration …

PHOTO: Day 30 of Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 2010. CREDIT: Green Fire Productions

Deepwater Horizon Trial Resumes with Spill Amount Disputed

AUSTIN, Texas - The second phase of the trial over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is in progress. This portion will …

PHOTO: More than two-dozen groups from across Texas and the nation are calling on Rayovac to join in efforts to increase the recycling of old batteries, as their competitors are doing. In landfills, toxins from batteries can leach into the soil and water, threatening public and environmental health. CREDIT: Dean Johnson

Rayovac Draws Ire for Refusal on TX Battery Recycling

AUSTIN, Texas - One of the nation's largest battery makers is being urged to plug in when it comes to recycling efforts in the state and across the …

PHOTO: A crowd gathered to watch the release of baby sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore. Credit: National Park Service

Protecting the Environment: An Economic Necessity in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas - Industries such as commercial fishing, shipping, and gas and oil often come to mind when thinking about the Texas Gulf Coast - but an …

PHOTO: Taken in 2010 following the Deepwater Horizon spill, this photo shows an oil covered pelican. Of particular concern today is the spill's continuing impact on sea turtles and dolphins. Courtesy of Louisiana Governor's Office.

Report: Magnitude of Gulf Oil Spill Disaster Continues to Unfold

AUSTIN, Texas - Nearly three years after the Deepwater Horizon spill, a new study says the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster is far from over. Oil still …

PHOTO: Trial is set to begin Monday in the civil case against BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This photo was taken 2 years after the spill and environmentalists say the long-term impact is still unknown. CREDIT: Craig Guillot/NWF

Civil Trial Begins Monday for BP's Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

AUSTIN, Texas – There is a renewed call to make sure BP is held accountable, as the civil trial for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 20, 2024

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TX: Environmental Justice