Public News Service

Gas flaring has persisted from the beginning of oil production more than 160 years ago. (supakitmod/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

TX faith, environmental groups hopeful about new EPA methane rule

Oil and gas companies have until 2025 to reduce the emissions they release into the air through the practices known as venting and flaring. You may …

Lake Creek runs along the northern boundary of nearly 1,000 acres to be protected within the Houston metropolitan area. (Photo courtesy Bayou Land Conservancy)

Houston metro residents benefit from conservation easement

A conservation easement nine years in the making will benefit a local Texas community by preserving almost 1,000 acres. The Bayou Land Conservancy …

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says

TX watchdog group targets pipeline leaks, Railroad Commission priorities

A Texas group is on a mission to reform how the state monitors and repairs oil and gas pipeline leaks. More than 480,000 miles of pipeline run …

Financial pressures, lack of mental health resources in rural areas and a stigma about using them all contribute to a suicide rate among farmers that is triple the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. (primipil/Adobe Stock)

TX works to address wildfire survivors' mental health

Residents in the Texas Panhandle are starting to put their lives back together after surviving the largest wildfire in the state's history. The …

Vast tracts of Texas land can accommodate traditional agriculture, including grazing, and solar farms. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

Texas on track for rapid transition to solar-generated power

Texas is showing a flair for solar power generation, demonstrating renewable energy transitions are indeed possible. Dennis Wamsted, analyst at the …

$Oil and gas rigs that emit methane, volatile organic compounds and other pollutants can cause respiratory illness in children and adults. (fracktrack.org) <br />$

2024 will bring comprehensive methane monitoring at Texas well sites

Combating climate change is a major goal of the Biden administration, but new rules governing methane emissions also seek to improve health - …

In addition to accelerating global warming, methane emissions can cause or exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions. (Hihitetlin/Adobe Stock)

New EPA rule expected to affect Texas oil industry emissions

A new rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency could reduce the amount of methane escaping from equipment in Texas oil fields. Last …

Latinos make up about 25% of the U.S. population, but only 5.2% are lead actors in the film industry and less than 3% of directors and screenwriters are Latino, according to the 2022 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report. (MACLEG/AdobeStock)

Virtual national film festival highlights Hispanic Heritage Month

A film festival created to help close the gap in storytelling for people of color is offering free, virtual showings as part of Hispanic Heritage …

President Joe Biden does not believe the U.S.-Mexican border wall built by his predecessor was effective, but cited a 2019 congressional appropriation of funds as the reason for new border wall in the Rio Grande Valley. (AerialStockFootage/Adobe Stock)

South Texas opponents of new border wall promise resistance

Opponents of previous efforts to build a border wall in South Texas are reeling from the Biden administration's announcement last week to resume…

More than 100,000 clean-energy job openings have sprung up across the U.S. since President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, according to Climate Power, a coalition of environmental groups. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Study: Demand for Green Jobs in TX Twice the National Rate

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

Han surgido m�s de 100.000 puestos vacantes en energ�as limpias en todo Estados Unidos desde que el presidente Joe Biden firm� la Ley de Reducci�n de la Inflaci�n, seg�n Climate Power, una coalici�n de grupos ambientalistas. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Estudio: Demanda de empleos verdes en Texas es el doble de la tasa nacional

En un estado del tamaño de Texas, las oportunidades de trabajo para empleos verdes podrían ser infinitas, y se está reclutando a jó…

A new poll by four environmental groups found a majority of Texas voters, 58% to 33%, want the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its proposal to eliminate emissions from routine flaring at oil wells. (Alexisaj/Adobestock)

Poll: Two-Thirds of Texas Voters Support Tougher EPA Methane Rules

As conservationists await finalization of revised rules governing methane on public lands, a new survey shows a majority of Texans support stronger …

As of Sept. 1, a new Texas law will repeal ordinances enacted by Austin and Dallas establishing 10-minute breaks every four hours, to allow construction workers to drink water and get out of the sun. (thebigland45/Adobe Stock)

Amid Heat Wave, New TX Law Limits Outdoor Workers' Water Breaks

Parts of Texas have been suffering from dangerous heat, just after Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott signed a law to strip authority from cities, including …

The El Ni�o weather pattern, which produces unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean around Christmas, was originally recognized by fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s. (FengYu/AdobeStock)

Forecasters: Texas Should Expect Drought, High Temps, El Niño

Memorial Day is considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States, with many Texans keeping an eye on what the weather has in store…

Scientific evidence shows air pollution can contribute to adverse birth outcomes, infant mortality, damaged lung function, asthma, cancer and even neurological disorders and childhood obesity, according to UNICEF data. (SoloviovaLiudmyla/AdobeStock)

West Dallas Neighborhood Seeks Relief From Major Air Polluter

A West Dallas neighborhood, citing decades of air and noise pollution, wants an asphalt shingle plant to abandon its decades-old location - but foot-…

Experts are predicting an above-average tornado season in 2023, in part fueled by climate change. (jetcityimage/AdobeStock)

New Philanthropy Fund Helps With Tornado Recovery

A record number of tornadoes struck U.S. communities in the first three months of this year, prompting the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to …

Soot is the most widespread and deadliest air pollutant in the United States and can lead to heart ailments, lung disease, asthma attacks and shortened lives. (Liubomir/Adobe Stock)

New EPA Rules for "Soot" Pollution Could Improve Air for Texans

Most Texans take breathing for granted - unless the air is polluted. It's a health issue the Biden administration hopes to mitigate through new …

The Permian Basin, the most prolific oil-producing region of the United States, has an estimated<br />oil recoverable-resource potential of 20 billion to 75 billion barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Department. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates Urge Stronger Oil and Gas Methane Rules at Well Sites

Conservation groups in Texas want the Environmental Protection Agency to continue its push for tighter restrictions on methane emissions at oil and ga…

Federal agencies such as FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the EPA now offer guides on how communities can incorporate nature-based, green solutions. (clcwa.org)

TX Climate Change Mitigation Project Could Benefit Other Communities

By Katie Watkins for Houston Public Media.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

The 50-story Trammel Crow Center in the downtown Dallas Arts District has received multiple green building certifications since it was completed in the 1980s. (dallaswartsdistrict.org)

TX Among Top 10 States for Green Building in 2022

The 2022 ranking of "green" buildings shows Texas in 9th place, demonstrating a commitment to LEED certification, according to the U.S. Green …

The 2023 U.S. Congress will include lots of new faces, but many of the same old problems of divided government. (chaiyapruek/Adobe Stock)

Opinion: A Survivable Future through Contraction, Not Expansion

It's 2023, and with it lawmakers will focus on some new, and plenty of old, problems. A retired Texas journalism professor believes while short-term …

California has the most imperiled biodiversity of any state in the contiguous United States, according to NatureServe, but it also has more land under biodiversity protection than any other of the lower 48 states. (iNaturalist.org)

Imperiled Global Species Map Shows Texas Ranks High

When a scientist with the nonprofit group NatureServe began studying where biodiversity is most at risk in America, she never expected Texas to rank …

Texas has produced more oil and natural gas than any other state, and remains the largest daily producer. (RobertCoy/Adobe Stock)

Texas Could Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Wells in 2023

As part of the U.S. energy transition, the Biden administration has made slashing methane emissions a priority, and supplemental federal rules aim to …

The City of Corpus Christi says seawater desalination plants would create a new water source with a low impact to ratepayers, but a lawsuit and the EPA could be obstacles to getting them built. (wikipedia)

Groups Charge Desalination Plants Are Wrong for Corpus Christi

A Texas environmental group is sounding the alarm about seawater desalination plants proposed for Corpus Christi Bay, warning they could have …

Scientists say ephemeral streams across the United States, including those in Texas, have become less reliable over the past 40 years, likely as a result of climate change. (usgs.gov)

Conservation Groups: Far-Reaching Clean Water Protections in Peril

Fifty years ago this week, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, allowing policymakers in the 50 states to limit pollution, prosecute polluters and …

More than a quarter of Texans surveyed by the Episcopal Health Foundation about nonmedical health factors that affect well-being said they don't have access to affordable and healthy food. (LudaKot/Pixabay)<br />

Study: Issues Beyond the Doctor's Office Impact Texans' Health

Across the board, Texans say they'd be healthier if the state put more resources, including money, toward nonmedical factors for their well-being…

Methane released into the atmosphere is responsible for at least 25% of current global warming, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. (permianmap.org)

Report: Oil-Field Flaring Emits More Methane than Previously Known

Ahead of revised methane regulations expected from the federal government, a new study shows that gas flaring in oil-producing states such as Texas …

Congress passed historic legislation to battle climate change last month, but researchers say the average American badly underestimates support by their fellow citizens. (Niklas/Pixabay)

Study: Perception Versus Reality about Climate-Change Distress

If you protest in the streets of Texas about climate change and your neighbor doesn't, you may think they don't care about the issue. But new …

The Inflation Reduction Act contains $369 billion in new spending to fight global warming from the oil and gas industry and boost clean energy. (Mike/Pixabay)

New Climate Bill to Tackle Texas Methane Emissions

Included in the Inflation Reduction Act is a provision aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, but it remains to be seen …

The migratory monarch butterfly is known for its annual journey of up to 3,000 miles across the Americas. (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy)

Habitat Loss, Climate Change Threaten Iconic Monarch Butterfly

An insect species which can evoke childhood memories is in trouble, and has just been added to the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the …

Black communities bear disproportionate hardships of the environmental crisis, but have historically been left out of the environmental movement. (upstreamsolutions.org)

Environmentalists: Education, Empowerment Needed Post-Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrations this month commemorated freedom, but Black and Brown people are still disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices …

President Joe Biden has restored three national monuments rolled back by the former president, but has yet to use his executive power to create a monument of his own. (Photo courtesy Scott Cutler)

TX Supporters of Castner Range Renew Calls for National Monument Status

Those who want to see the Castner Range outside of El Paso protected hope this will be the year President Joe Biden uses his authority to designate th…

Some oil and gas lobbyists want low-producing wells to be excluded from coming regulation. (Adobe Stock) Some oil and gas lobbyists want low-producing wells to be excluded from coming regulation. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers Question Cost-benefit of Methane Emissions from Low-Producing Oil and Gas Wells

The country's 565,000 low-producing oil and gas wells - thousands of them in Texas - are responsible for approximately half of the methane discharged …

Dr. Sherwin Carlquist began his studies as a botanist in the 1950s by studying how plants end up on particular islands, and how they adapt to their new surroundings. (Adobe Stock)

TX Researchers Help Preserve Work of World-Class Botanist

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas has been awarded over $500,000 to help preserve the work of a famous American botanist. In a career as an …

Over the past five years, the U.S. has gone from exporting almost no liquefied natural gas (LNG), to exports being about 10% of total U.S. gas production, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. (Adobe Stock)

TX Group Makes Earth Day Plea for Cleaner Environment

It is Earth Day, and the Texas Campaign for the Environment is backing a movement targeting fossil-fuel exporters across the state. Texas is the …

A 2020 report by Greenpeace USA and Oil Change International found reinstating the crude-oil export ban could cut global carbon-dioxide emissions by as much as 181 million tons annually. (Adobe Stock)

“Sacrifice Zone:" Port Arthur in Path of Industrial Pollution

The latest American Cancer Society research estimates more than 139,000 Texans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2022. One of the "hot …

More than 11,600 Adopt-a-Highway and Keep Texas Beautiful volunteers collected 1.29 million pounds of litter during the 2021

The Month of April Means "Don't mess with Texas"

The month of April has special meaning for Texans. It's when many groups - like Adopt-a-Highway and Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates - participate in …

The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 250 miles per hour. (Adobe Stock) The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 250 miles per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Climate Change Shifts Tornado Alley Further into Texas

The area known as "Tornado Alley" now includes more parts of Texas than it once did, according to scientists, who believe climate change could be the …

Owned by Fort Bliss, Castner Range has significant ancient rock imagery, cultural deposits and historic military sites. (flickr.com/https://bit.ly/3ie8TEL)

Groups Advocate for Historic Latino Monuments in Texas

Every 30 seconds in the U.S. a Latino citizen turns 18, and it is Latino Advocacy Week, the second annual initiative where community leaders champion …

Cover cropping offers many benefits in dryland farming in eastern and central Texas. (agrilife.org)

Sustainable Agriculture Gets Boost from New USDA Program

The federal government is adding financial support for farmers in Texas and across the U.S. to adopt climate-friendly practices. This month, the U.S…

Nearly 50% of Texas is powered by natural gas, 20% by coal, 20% by wind and solar, and 10% by nuclear energy, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.(LauraUpshaw/Pixabay)

TX Groups to Politicians: "Break Up with Fossil Fuels"

A campaign to pressure political candidates to forgo contributions from fossil-fuel interests is gaining steam in Texas. Environmental advocates want …

The Texas counties of Pecos, Nacagdoches and Hutchinson have the highest numbers of

Conservatives Seek Reforms for "Orphan Wells" on Public Lands

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Build Back Better Act making its way through Congress includes reforms for oil and gas production on public lands first …

Collapse of the 90-year-old Lake Dunlap Dam spillway in 2019 because of aging structural steel highlighted infrastructure needs in Texas. (Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority)

U.S. Infrastructure Bill Signed, 'Build Back Better Act' on Deck

AUSTIN, Texas -- With the massive infrastructure bill now signed into law by President Joe Biden, environmental advocates are keeping the pressure on …

Galveston Bay will receive settlement funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to build oyster reefs made mostly from limestone, recycled oyster shells or concrete. (ancolek1998/Pixabay)

Deep Horizon Oil Spill Settlement Funds to Help Restore TX Oyster Reefs

HOUSTON -- Storm damage, pollution and other factors, some related to climate change, are reducing the oyster population, but settlement funds from …

Vitamin- and nutrient-filled jack-o'-lantern make nutritious treat for birds, squirrels and pigs. (onegreenplanet.org)

Leftover Pumpkins? Make Pigs Squeal With Delight

AUSTIN, Texas -- The trick-or-treaters are gone, but that doesn't mean your jack-o'-lantern has to be sent to the trash after Halloween. To help the …

In 2015, nearly 200 countries agreed to individual plans to fight global warming in the historic Paris climate agreement. (TheDigitalArtist/Pixabay)

COP26: Another Attempt to Avert Climate-Change Catastrophe

AUSTIN, Texas -- As climate scientists warn time is running out to reverse the worst effects of climate change, some Texans will be among those …

Four years ago last month, Hurricane Irma slammed into Texas with 100 mph winds and torrential rainfall. (harriscountysheriff)

How Texas Could Benefit from "Build Back Better"

HOUSTON -- How much would the Lone Star State benefit from the Biden administration proposals for clean energy and infrastructure? More than most…

In 2018, there were an estimated 1,115,000 career and volunteer firefighters in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. (TheHilaryClark/Pixabay)

PFAS: A Plague for Humans, Especially Firefighters

DALLAS -- Lawmakers and regulators are increasingly mobilizing behind efforts to crack down on so-called "forever chemicals" known as Perfluorinated a…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 16, 2024

2024Talks - April 16, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 11, 2024

TX: Environment