Houston-area Shell Refinery Had Troubled History Before Fire
Recent “upsets” like tripped compressors, pressure loss and freezing weather resulted in thousands of pounds of illegal pollution but no fines or citations.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
There Are ‘No Real Consequences’ for Toxic Emissions Events
In some cases, these “chemical releases” aren’t illegal. In others, state regulators give polluters the benefit of the doubt.
Concrete Ideas
New technology and methods may help clean up the cement and concrete industries—two of Texas’ most conspicuous polluters.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Faces A Reckoning
As part of a Sunset Commission review, Texans are calling out the state agency for failing to address environmental injustices.
Illegal Air Pollution is Skyrocketing in Texas, But State Regulators are Ignoring Complaints
An environmental watchdog submitted evidence of dozens of violations, but the state’s environmental agency rarely followed up.
TCEQ Report Could Pave the Way for Chemical Plants to Emit More Hazardous Air Pollutants
A new assessment from the agency downplays the risks of ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen.
Nurdle by Nurdle, Citizens Took on A Billion-Dollar Plastic Company — and Won
A federal judge ruled that a “serial” polluter in Lavaca Bay can face more than $100 million in penalties.
SIGN UP FOR TEXAS OBSERVER EMAILS
The EPA Told Texas to Crack Down on Dangerous Air Emissions in 2015. The State Never Did, and Now It Won’t Have to.
Trump’s EPA rescinded a rule that would have forced Texas to close a loophole exploited by industrial polluters in 97 percent of illegal emission events.
Latest Texan to Join Trump’s EPA is Still Deciding if She Believes in Climate Change
Anne Idsal, a 34-year-old Baylor graduate whose family has long worked in GOP politics, said she’s unsure of the extent that humans impact climate change.
Texas Toxicologist Who Rejects Basic Science Appointed to EPA Science Board
The Trump administration continues to scout Texas officials who’ve repeatedly attacked the very policies that they’re now charged with implementing.