May 23, 2025
Climate
Climate
Zillow's analysis reveals minority homeowners, especially Black and Hispanic, face significantly higher climate risks—such as extreme heat...
Exxon is quietly planning a new $8.6 billion plastics plant in Texas
Summary
Exxon has applied for tax subsidies to build an $8.6 billion plastics plant in Point Comfort, Texas, raising concerns among environmentalists and local residents. The proposed facility, which would produce plastic pellets, ethylene, and other chemicals, is planned near existing industrial sites that have long polluted the area. Activists warn that the project will worsen air and water contamination in a community already suffering from industrial pollution. Exxon claims the plant will create 300 jobs, but critics argue that massive tax incentives for a highly profitable company are unjustified. Financial analysts also question the long-term viability of new plastics production as global demand shifts away from fossil fuel-based materials. Local activist Diane Wilson, who previously won a landmark pollution settlement against Formosa Plastics in the area, vows to fight Exxon’s plans, fearing the plant will further harm the environment and local fishing industries.
May 19, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $176 million in environmental grants cut from nonprofits and municipalities, ruling the executive branch...
May 19, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
Texas lawmakers are advancing a bill to shield oil companies from liability when treated fracking water is reused, aiming to boost water supplies amid drought
May 19, 2025
Climate
Climate
Africa has launched a continent-wide space agency to coordinate national efforts, improve climate data collection, and enhance resilience to extreme weather...
May 15, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
An internal FEMA review reveals critical readiness gaps just weeks before hurricane season, while a Rice University study shows only 8% of Houstonians feel prepared...
May 8, 2025
Climate
Climate
A Nature Cities study found Houston is the fastest-sinking U.S. city, with 42% of its land subsiding over 5mm annually due to groundwater and oil extraction, increasing flood risk
May 5, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Residents of East Houston, like Angela Jackson, are fed up with the overwhelming stench and illegal dumping near the McCarty Road Landfill...
May 1, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Trump administration’s EPA is terminating over $2.4 billion in environmental justice grants, mostly aiding poor and minority communities...
April 28, 2025
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Juan and Ana Parras founded T.E.J.A.S. to combat environmental racism in Houston’s industrial corridors, leveraging decades of grassroots organizing to empower...
April 17, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A Tulane study confirms long-standing claims that Black communities in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" suffer disproportionate pollution while being excluded from both high...
April 11, 2025
Climate
Climate
A $378 million funding delay to LIHEAP after mass HHS layoffs threatens vital cooling aid for low-income Americans amid intensifying heat waves.
A federal appeals court ruled a lawsuit can proceed against St. James Parish, Louisiana, for alleged racist land-use policies...
April 9, 2025
Climate
Climate
Trump administration terminated NASA's contract supporting staff for the U.S. National Climate Assessment, potentially crippling its development...
President Trump rescinded federal flood standards requiring climate-resilient rebuilding, raising concerns that taxpayer-funded infrastructure...
The Trump administration plans to close the Community Relations Service, a Justice Department office created in 1964 to mediate racial tensions, sparking concerns...