Air Alliance Houston in the News
Take a look at our latest press highlights
Houston Chronicle
December 1
Feds, TxDOT agree to restart on pieces of I-45 project, but deal is a long way from resolving issues
November 15
Harris County pausing I-45 lawsuit in hopes of negotiating with TxDOT
November 9
Houston Republicans urge Buttigieg to lift pause on I-45 expansion project
November 2
Galena Park residents want to bring a farmers market to their food desert. But no vendors will come.
October 7
Report makes case for more transit despite fewer people riding Metro in Houston
September 16
Turner says TxDOT leader ‘misrepresented’ his position on the divisive I-45 project
July 28
What is acetic acid, the chemical involved in the deadly LyondellBasell plant leak?
July 23
Houston’s $9B I-45 rebuild could come down to online poll, after 15 years and $503 million
July 20
What was that smell in Galena Park? For 2 days, residents wondered with no answer.
July 15
As investigations pile up at the Chemical Safety Board, advocates press for changes
July 1
Excessive formaldehyde levels put Ship Channel communities at higher risk of cancer, air study finds
June 30
Massive I-45 Houston project heads back to public comment phase during pause
June 28
This is fine: Purple smoke plume in Houston area actually looked worse that it really was
June 5
Residents track air quality in Sunnyside
April 17
Grieder: Pause on I-45 expansion plans gives Houstonians a chance to really think about the future
April 9
Initial reports: 41 contaminants were released in the K-Solv fire
February 24
Add air pollution to the list of woes from the deadly Texas freeze
Houston Public Media
November 30
TxDOT gets the OK to continue limited work on a controversial I-45 expansion
October 7
Houston’s environmental flubs, vegan and vegetarian restaurants, and Latino rap
October 6
Essential workers in Houston relied on public transit during the pandemic, a new report says
July 1
Report: Cancer-Causing Formaldehyde Found Near Houston Ship Channel Communities
February 8
‘This Is How We Defend Ourselves’ — Harris County Residents Install DIY Pollution Monitoring Network
Texas Standard
Bloomberg
April 29
Hidden Super Polluters Revealed in Wake of Texas Energy Crisis
Green
April 6
Highway Foes Emboldened as Buttigieg Puts Houston Project on Pause
CityLab
March 25
Biden Transportation Officials Signal How They Might Enforce Racial Justice Concerns
CityLab
March 18
Interstate Rule Is One Fix in Thicket of Upwind Pollution Woes
Law
March 8
Liability Elusive for Air Pollution Released During Texas Storms
Law
February 19
Biden’s Hefty Clean Air To-Do List Follows Early Big Promises
Law
Community Impact Newspaper
October 28
Report finds need for sustainable, reliable public transit throughout COVID-19 pandemic
October 1
Carverdale residents combat proposed landfill expansion
May 24
Proposed concrete batch plant creates stir in Magnolia area
FOX26 Houston
October 6
Marathon Petroleum says crude oil release contained on-site at Galveston Bay refinery
July 21
Galena Park resident angered over lack of alerts regarding harmful odor, company later admits fault
July 1
Report says plumes of carcinogenic formaldehyde found in neighborhoods along Houston’s ship channel
KPRC2 / Click2Houston
March 12
‘Stop putting cars over people’: Harris County sues TxDOT over I-45 expansion project
Grist
November 30
What happens when communities and academics teach each other? ‘Communiversity.’
February 24
When the grid went dark, Texans faced 3.5M pounds of excess air pollution
The Guardian
March 23
Plan to expand Texas highway stalled over environmental racism concerns
February 26
Texas facilities released 3.5m pounds of extra pollutants during winter storm
Inside Climate News
April 30
Expansion of I-45 in Downtown Houston Is on Hold, for Now, in a Traffic-Choked, Divided Region
KHOU-11
October 6
Crude oil leak at Marathon Petroleum facility in Texas City
April 8
Investigators begin looking for cause of Channelview industrial fire
San Antonio Express-News
September 22
TCEQ OKs crystalline silica exemption for concrete batch plants
September 17
‘Out of breath’: Oversight of hazardous Texas concrete plant emissions comes to a head
Streetsblog USA
October 19
Vision Zero Cities Op-Ed: How To Stop a Highway
March 12
Racist Texas Highway Boondoggle Dealt Blow by Buttigieg’s FHWA
Texas Observer
March 29
In Houston, a Plan to Expand Interstate 45 Encounters Federal Pushback
March 9
Industrial Facilities Released Millions of Pounds of Illegal Pollution During the Winter Storm
1-Time Mentions
December 1
TxDOT gets OK to continue limited work on I-45 expansion
Defender Network.com
November 19
How to Stop a Highway
Natural Resources Defense Council
October 7
24 Hours Later, Officials Are Still Cleaning Up Crude Oil Spill at Texas Refinery
Green Matters
July 21
FHWA invokes Civil Rights Act to suspend Houston interstate expansion
The Civil Engineering Source
July 20
Measuring Houston’s environmental injustice from space
Environmental Health News
July 19
“Tengo náuseas y dolor”: persisten las quejas por el mal olor proveniente de una refinería en Galena Park
Univision Houston
July 14
The Roads to Justice: Building New Bridges
Engineering News-Record
June 20
A local look at air pollution highlights inequalities within cities
Chemical & Engineering News
June 17
Watchdogs: Bill impacts Baytown air quality
The Baytown Sun
June 10
Is COVID-19 the only remedy for Istanbul’s air quality?
Daily Sabah
June 3
In its 10th year, Community Bridges projects confront ever-apparent inequalities in Houston
UrbanEdge
May 27
How Many People Die When Polluters Exceed Their Limits?
WIRED
April 28
13 Oil Refineries in U.S. Released Cancer-Causing Benzene Above EPA Action Levels in 2020
Environmental Integrity Project
April 5
A major Texas highway expansion project has been paused to examine possible violation of 1964 Civil Rights Act
Business Insider
March 24
Texas lawsuit fights environmental racism in highway expansion project
INHABITAT
March 14
Feds, County Seek Delay in Houston $7B Road Widening Over Community Impact
Engineering News Record: Texas & Louisiana
March 12
Harris County Sues TxDOT To Halt I-45 Expansion Project
Houston Press
March 12
Harris County Sues TxDOT to Stop I-45 Expansion
The Texan
March 9
Racism is a Public Health Crisis: The Fight for Environmental Justice in Harris County
One For All Harris County Pct 1 Podcast
March 1
As Texans lost power in winter storm, oil and gas pollution increased across state
ForthWorth Star-Telegram
February 28
Aumenta la contaminación
El Mañana
February 24
Texas plants released nearly as much pollution during winter storm as during Hurricane Laura
ABC Channel 13
February 24
Texas plants released nearly as much pollution during winter storm as during Hurricane Laura
Texas Tribune
February 3
TOO CLOSE TO HOME: Heights residents worried about incoming gas station
The Leader
January 31
The Fire Triangle: Shelter in Place
Texas Public Radio
Houston Chronicle
December 11
At Jackson Lee’s request, TxDOT tacks on a few more days for comment on $7 billion I-45 project
December 6
Opponents readying for long fight, though key I-45 deadline to TxDOT days away
October 29
Environmental groups sue EPA over ‘failure’ on industrial flare rules
October 19
Business-friendly Houston not always ‘free’ market for Black communities, history shows
October 9
Critics: 30-day window to comment on I-45 project far too short for generation-lasting rebuild
August 5
Car-centric Houston takes first steps toward becoming more ‘walkable’ with new development rules
July 24
Critics complain those most impacted by I-45 rebuild left out of group to improve $7B project
June 4
TxDOT’s $7 billion plan to shorten your I-45 commute may displace hundreds of families
February 2
Lack of restrictions make Houston residents, hazardous industries uneasy neighbors
January 28
Three meetings this week could set course for $7 billion remake of Interstate 45
January 22
Company withdraws application to build concrete batch plant in Houston neighborhood
January 7
Officials, residents push back against plans for concrete plant near NW Houston neighborhood
Houston Public Media
November 11
Houston Matters with Graig Cohen, Nov. 11
Houston Matters
October 30
Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over Failure To Reduce Air Pollution From Industrial Flaring
July 13
Some Texas Petrochemical Facilities Get A Pass On Chemical Leak Monitoring During The Pandemic
April 10
Air Quality Has Improved Since Houstonians Have Been Forced Indoors. But Some Fear EPA Rollbacks.
February 21
Houston Lawmakers Support Slate of Affordable Housing Projects Amid Environmental Concerns
February 11
Houston Affordable Housing Projects Compete For $150 Million In State Funding
1-Time Mentions
November 24
As Texas grows, communities face an unwelcome neighbor: concrete companies. Homeowners have few options.
Texas Tribune
November 18
What Portland’s Smoky Summer Can Do for Air Quality Equity Across the Country
YES!Magazine
November 12
Life expectancy dramatically lower in Houston’s Black, brown communities, study says
ABC Channel 13
August 26
Hurricane Laura Could Lead To An Environmental Disaster On The Gulf Coast
BuzzFeed News
August 19
It’s hard to breathe with a concrete plant in your backyard
Urban Edge
July 16
COVID-19 Impact Linked to Environmental Racism
Women’s Media Center
April 2
How vulnerable is your community to coronavirus? These new maps reveal a familiar pattern.
Grist
February 25
Making Houston History Today: 6 Black Changemakers you Should Know
Understanding Houston
February 11
Report: TX Has More Than Half of U.S.’ Worst Benzene Polluting Refineries
Public News Service
February 6
Refineries Are Spewing Cancer-Causing Benzene as Trump Slashes Enforcement
Truthout
February 6
Benzene Emissions on the Perimeters of Ten Refineries Exceed EPA Limits
Inside Climate News
January 30
Air quality should be growing concern for city
The Leader News
January 30
8 Experts Weigh in on How to Fix Houston
Houstonia Magazine
January 28
Toxic Tour brings students to polluted sites
The Rice Thresher
January 22
Texas explosion renews concern over chemical safety rollback
E&E News
Houston Chronicle
October 23
Air pollution varied after Imelda, final state reports show
October 21
TCEQ invests more than $1.5 million to improve air-pollution monitoring
October 3
Chemical fires, explosions too common in Houston [Opinion]
By AAH’s Bakeyah Nelson
September 24
Imelda cited in release of almost 100,000 pounds of air pollutants
September 10
Harris County boosts pollution efforts, staff in response to spring chemical fires
August 8
One Houston neighborhood is putting Texas’ air quality rules to the test. It’s losing.
July 26
Houston-area officials commit $100 million to I-45 widening project
July 25
Houston unveils first draft of city climate action plan
July 7
Houston leaders asked to commit $100M to massive I-45 rebuild
June 14
Massive I-45 project will remake Houston freeway spine, but at what cost?
April 29
Houston’s bad air days are a bigger problem than you think [Editorial]
Houston Public Media
June 21
Debate Intensifies Over The I-45 North Widening Project
April 16
Community Advocates Ask For Congressional Hearings On Houston Area Fires
April 11
Houston-Area Chemical Fires Draw Attention To Lax Safety Laws
National Public Radio
April 2
Toxic accidents database could improve emergency planning
Marketplace — Listen to Bakeyah Nelson on the Marketplace Morning Report
March 22
Advocacy Group Monitors Air Quality At Local Schools Because Of Deer Park Fire
KHOU11
August 2
Local officials want prevention, accountability after ExxonMobil Baytown fire
April 9
How Trump’s oil, gas deregulation could help or hurt the Houston-area
April 3
Investigation continues into deadly KMCO plant explosion in Crosby
Click2Houston
September 26
State records show thousands of pounds of pollutants released during Imelda
June 18
Q&A: Plans for rerouting I-45 from west to east side of downtown
ABC Channel 13/KTRK-TV
June 14
Could North Freeway changes bring more pollution to Houston?
March 19
ITC Deer Park facility fire could take 2 days to burn out, officials say
1-Time Mentions
September 6
Report: Plastics boom in Houston poses major air pollution risk
Plastics News
August 21
More Highways, More Problems
Texas Observer
August 9
Chemical safety board withdraws appeal over accident reporting
Business Insurance
August 5
Houston’s $7 billion solution to gridlock is more highways
Curbed
July 26
H-GAC approves more than $150 million for I-45 project to ‘stay in line’ for TxDOT funds
Urban Edge
July 25
Houston’s Highway Mega-Plan: An Environmental Justice Disaster
Streetsblog USA
July 24
Community Organizers Decry TxDOT’s I-45 Expansion Plan, Call for Delay in Local Approval
Houstonia Magazine
July 10
Ep. 33 Dr. Bakeyah Nelson – Environmental Resilience in Houston
H-town Progressive
June 25
Houston-area environmental experts share insight on petrochemical fire, barge collision
Community Impact Newspaper
March 21
This Week’s Giant Toxic Gas Cloud Over Houston Was a Symptom of a Much Bigger Problem
Gizmodo
Houston Chronicle
September 13
Houston has fallen behind on fighting air pollution [Opinion]
By AAH’s Bakeyah Nelson
September 27
New Texas petrochemical projects add millions of tons of greenhouse gas pollution, report finds
August 17
Court throws out Trump administration delay of chemical disaster rules
July 2
Air pollution poses health risk to Houstonians, study finds
April 25
How much longer can Houston shrug off air pollution?
April 20
Texas City refinery fire under investigation
April 10
Will the I-45 expansion make our air worse? [Opinion]
By AAH’s Bakeyah Nelson
March 11
Nelson, Powis: Toxic chemicals and floodwaters create a deadly mix post-Harvey
Written in part by AAH’s Bakeyah Nelson
March 9
Shouldn’t industry pay more to protect us from environmental disasters?
By AAH’s Bakeyah Nelson
Houston Public Media
August 17
Appeals Court Strikes Down Trump Admin’s Delay of Chemical Safety Rule
June 22
Along Ship Channel, Houston’s Manchester Neighborhood Grapples With Poor Air Quality
1-Time Mentions
August 24
Concerns about air quality loom one year after Harvey
CBS Dallas/Fort Worth (YouTube) — AAH’s Juan Flores shares his perspective as a resident
August 20
Much of Harvey-Caused Air Pollution Could’ve Been Avoided, Report Says
Dallas Observer
August 16
What you need to know about pollution released during Harvey
KPRC (YouTube) — AAH’s Juan Flores shares his perspective as a resident
August 16
3 Things Texas Could Do Better Before The Next Hurricane Hits
KERA News
July 20
22 Nonprofits Worthy of Your Time, Money, or Both
Houstonia Magazine
May 9
Despite progress toward cleaner air, ozone still a concern for Greater Houston area
Community Impact
May 2
EPA partly sides with enviros in challenge to TX refinery
E&E News
April 23
Air Pollution An Ongoing Concern for Many Houston-Area Residents
Urban Edge
March 16
Court questions greens’ challenge to EPA chemical rule delay
The Hill
March 16
As Trump Fights to Kill Chemical Safety Rule, Workers Injured as Massive Explosion Rocks Texas Chemical Plant
Common Dreams
International Business Times
September 6
Oil Companies Leaking Benzene Lobbied Against Pollution Rules
September 1
Court Rejects Environmental Groups’ Attempt To Block EPA’s Delay Of Chemicals Rule
Texas Tribune
September 14
EPA won’t release benzene levels collected post-Harvey; private tests show elevated levels
September 1
Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information
1-Time Mentions
October 6
The air pollution from Hurricane Harvey is really, really bad, people
Science Line
September 18
More Than 40 Sites Released Hazardous Pollutants Because of Hurricane Harvey
New York Times
September 6
More problems in Texas — Chemical plants start leaking after Harvey
ZME Science
September 5
Texas fears grow over health crises from Harvey floods
Al Jazeera English (Youtube)
September 2
‘Your eyes start itching’: pollution soars in Houston after chemical industry leaks
The Guardian
September 1
Arkema Plant Explosion Sparks Criticism of Trump EPA Relaxing Chemical Safety Rules
EcoWatch.com
August 31
Houston left with a toxic mess as Trump relaxes rules
Politico.com
August 30
Harvey’s Hidden Side Effect
The New Republic
August 29
Houston Flooding Always Hits Poor, Non-White Neighborhoods Hardest
The Huffington Post
August 28
Houston residents breathe in toxic fumes as petrochemical facilities cope with Harvey
ThinkProgress.org
August 15
As Houston plots a sustainable path forward, it’s leaving this neighborhood behind
Grist
July 20
Environmental group sues EPA over pollution rules, cites Houston refineries
Houston Chronicle
June 8
Delaying The Ozone Standards Hasn’t Stopped Houston’s Progress
Houston Public Media
April 25
Bill Aims to Protect Communities of Color from Polluting Concrete Facilities
Texas Observer
April 24
Neighborhood residents concerned following train car explosion
KHOU Channel 11
Houston Chronicle
November 29
Metro to introduce electric bus in move to cut pollution
July 11
Industry towns, like Pasadena, challenge environmental activists
Houston Public Media
July 11
Crude-by-Rail Plummeting In Texas But Critics Insist Risk Of Accidents Remains
January 18
Pasadena Refinery Linked To Scandal In Brazil Needs A New Pollution Permit
1-Time Mentions
November 15
EPA Removes Texas from Requirements of Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
KUT 90.5
October 13
EPA Agrees Its Emissions Estimates From Flaring May Be Flawed
InsideClimate News
August 26
Texas scientist wages rare campaign for EPA advisory post
Environment & Energy Publishing
July 1
Air Alliance Houston Report Shows High Benzene Levels in Galena Park
Houston Press
June 19
The Strange Case of a Port and Its City
Houstonia Magazine
May 15
Local air quality vastly better despite failing grade in report
The Facts
April 30
Texas court blocks Houston from using tougher clean-air laws
KTRK-TV — AP
April 29
Texas Supreme Court Rules Houston Overstepped in Regulating Air Pollution
Texas Tribune
Houston Chronicle
December 11
Climate change brings good and bad predictions for Houston’s future
November 9
No idling, please
August 26
What blew up in Conroe? Public can’t know for sure
1-Time Mentions
September 1
Houston Arguing to Keep Its Air Pollution Rules
Texas Tribune
July 27
Ozone in Houston: Combatting Misinformation and Protecting Public Health
The Equation: Blog of the Union of Concerned Scientists
May 27
Groups Petition EPA To Stop Texas From Letting Electric Utility Industry Rewrite Its Own Pollution Permits
Desmog Blog
April 22
After Years of Inaction, EPA Tightens Toxic Air Standard for Oil Refineries
InsideClimate News
April 7
Proposed Law Would Allow Houston To Regulate Mountains Of Coal
StateImpact Texas
Media Contact Information
Riikka Pohjankoski
Air Alliance Houston Communications Manager
[email protected] | 713.589.7079