Governmental Advocacy

Air Alliance Houston educates and advocates with policymakers at all levels of government to achieve clean air policies. We defend the Clean Air Act and work to advance protective statewide legislation during the Texas State Legislative Sessions.

We also monitor and respond to federal and state rules, standards, ordinances, and other administrative decisions that impact air quality in Houston and across the state. In some cases, we even serve as litigants in motions to compel the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or state regulators to act on clean air provisions.

READ: 2025 State Legislative Agenda for Clean Air in Houston

Policy Priorities

Clean air is fundamental to good health and quality of life. However, Houstonians continue to breathe severely unhealthy levels of ozone and soot pollution every day, emitted from petrochemicals and concrete batch plants as well as from transportation. We need a strong regulatory approach to these industries in order to bring Houston’s air quality into attainment. We also need strong health-based standards to ensure permits and other rules are protective especially of our most vulnerable residents – infants, children, and seniors.

Here are examples of how you can include clean air in your personal story:

“I live in a neighborhood with multiple concrete batch plants and metal recyclers. The air is visibly dusty when I go to work. We need more protection from these plants.”
“I’m concerned about my family’s health, especially my children. I see them coughing when the air is bad. They deserve clean air to breathe, and we have to protect them.”
“Last year, we had a pipeline fire and a chemical leak that sent people to the hospital. Nobody knew what to do. We need an alert system now before the next leak or fire happens.”

Specific Priorities

Protection from Concrete Batch Plants through more frequent permitting and protectiveness reviews of current facilities, and through accurate violation histories, so bad neighbors will be held accountable.
Protection from cancer-causing air pollution through the use of scientifically accurate exposure limits for toxic chemicals like benzene and hydrogen sulfide.
Protection from chemical leaks through a reliable community notification system
Personal protection from air pollution by knowing what is in the air as determined by air monitoring, particularly in Fort Bend County which has the dirtiest coal plant in Texas.