Results provide recommendations for future policymaking and community participation efforts.
Media Advisory
Media contact: Riikka Pohjankoski, [email protected], 713.589.7079
WHAT:
The results of a one-year assessment by Air Alliance Houston in the Ship Channel and Fort Bend areas reveal that residents near industrial facilities have alarmingly low levels of understanding of new carbon capture technology proposed in their communities (so-called CCS), leaving them inadequately equipped to advocate for themselves as major investments materialize. The report also shows concern among residents about climate change and urges elected leaders to take a greater interest in engaging communities in conversations around CCS projects. Air Alliance Houston and partners will release the report and discuss what CCS means for Houston and Texas during a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, June 21, at 1:00 PM CST.
Houston is known as the “energy capital of the world” due to the large footprint of the fossil fuel industry including a vast petrochemical complex along the Houston Ship Channel and the biggest coal plant in Texas (W.A. Parish) in neighboring Fort Bend County. Now, major investments by the fossil fuel industry and the federal government are planned to add CCS technologies to this footprint.
For example: In 2021, ExxonMobil called on industry and government to jointly raise $100 billion to capture carbon emissions from Ship Channel facilities, transport it through pipelines, and inject it into the sea floor. However, there are still questions about the community’s understanding of CCS. Join Air Alliance Houston and partners as they share critical considerations for community engagement and awareness of CCS technology.
WHEN:
Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM CST
WHERE:
ZOOM
WHO:
Webinar panelists:
- Alexander Spike, Climate Justice Coordinator, Air Alliance Houston
- Courtni Holness, Senior Policy Advisor, Carbon180
- Carmen Cavezza, Climate Justice Community Organizer, Coalition for Environment, Equity & Resilience (CEER)
- Luke Metzger, Executive Director, Environment Texas
- Virginia Palacios, Executive Director, Commission Shift
About Air Alliance Houston
Air Alliance Houston is a non-profit advocacy organization working to reduce the public health impacts from air pollution and advance environmental justice through applied research, education, and advocacy. For more information and resources, please visit www.airalliancehouston.org.