It is Earth DayThe Texas Campaign for the Environment supports a movement to target fossil-fuel exporters throughout the state.
Texas is the Largest energy-consuming and producing stateAccording to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, there are approximately 200,000 people living in this country.
The advocacy group, however, Texas SavesHowever, the figures are not complete. It has created a list of “Terrible 12” major contributors to pollution and climate changes in the state. All are in the energy sector.
Jeffrey Jacoby, deputy director for the Texas Campaign for the Environment said that it is unfair to assume that the state cannot thrive without a fossil fuel industry.
Jacoby stated that “It is important for people to know there are corporations out there in spite of the mythology about fossil fuels leading to prosperity, leading to jobs, and that they are acting in Texans’ best interest.”
According to Save Texas, the state’s number of fossil-fuel jobs has declined over the last 30 years. Companies also contribute to high energy consumption. The Gulf Coast is home to most of the pipeline and fuel processing companies on the “Terrible Twelve” list.
Jacoby pointed out that his organization and others are pushing for a shift to more sustainable, renewable energy. Jacoby cited the negative effects of oil production on the Gulf Coast, and accused the “Terrible 12”, of not taking conservation seriously enough.
Jacoby observed that “they respond by claiming they are environmentally friendly.” Jacoby observed that they claim to care about climate and communities, and they claim to be working with Indigenous communities.
He said that the current trend is due to the increase in U.S. liquefied natural gases exports, most of which are from Texas and Louisiana plants. gas price hikesU.S. consumers feel the same.
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Pennsylvanians can submit comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement to support a gas pipeline expansion in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Comments must be submitted by Monday. Some critics of this project claim that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission failed to properly consider all effects of the proposal.
The Regional Energy Access GrowthTranscontinental Gas Pipe Line Company will add 22 miles of pipeline to Luzerne County, and almost 14 miles to Monroe County.
Jessica O’Neill, senior lawyer for PennFuture, stated that the draft Environmental Impact Statement doesn’t go far enough to discuss how additional pipelines could affect natural resources.
O’Neill explained, “This pipeline would cut through really sensitive, exceptional-value waterways, and we don’t believe the draft EIS does sufficient to look at the cumulative effect of the cuts through these watersways.” “There are endangered and protected species, but there are many people who rely on the high-quality waterways to sustain their lives.”
Public comment deadline Monday at 5 p.m. Comments can be submitted here Online submission. A spokesperson for FERC indicated that the commission would address the concerns raised in the comments, and make recommendations in a final Environmental Impact Report in July.
O’Neill said that it was important for Pennsylvania residents to voice their opinions, especially in the affected counties. She said that they will have information that is unique to their communities that agencies might not be aware of.
O’Neill stated, “That’s how you can ensure that even if these pipes are built that appropriate measures are taken to protect waterways.” “And that permits have appropriate protective conditions, conditions, and mitigation requirements to preserve our high quality streams and wetlands.”
PennsylvaniaIs the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer. The proposed pipeline route crosses habitat for threatened or endangered animal and plant species, including the white-fringed orchids, Indiana bat, northern longeared bat, timber rattlesnake, and bog turtle.
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Earth Day is a day when conservationists plant trees to reduce the impact of climate change.
Concrete ovens develop in the urban areas of Colorado’s Front Range during increasingly hot summers.
Christopher Hawkins, the urban conservation program manager at the Nature Conservancy of Colorado, said that cities are uniquely positioned to create resilient communities and adapt to changing climates by planting trees in areas with limited shade.
Hawkins said that trees offer a variety of benefits, including mental-health and heat reduction. They create oxygen locally. They also reduce particulate matters.
Inhaled particulate matter from wildfires, fossil fuels and other sources can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious effects to your health. Hawkins stated that improving air quality will require reducing pollution. However, trees can play a complementary role.
Some studies have shown trees can help reduce particulate material locally by 10% to 20 percent.
Hawkins pointed out that some people are more susceptible to scorching summers than others, especially those with underlying heart or respiratory conditions like asthma.
Hawkins said that “those tend to be the people that are hit hardest when it comes to managing heat stress.” “Heat tends to have disproportionately severe impacts on communities of color and older populations.”
Denver has a different tree canopy coverage.
The Nature Conservancy in Colorado has partnered with a community-based organization this weekend to distribute and plant new trees. This builds on a multiyear effort to increase shade in one among the most polluted ZIP Codes in the country.
Hawkins stated that Globeville First will distribute 75 trees to residents. This is quite significant. “Globeville typically has about 5% tree cover, which is about seven times the amount of wealthier communities that have around 35%.
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New Mexico is home for some of the worst methane contamination in the country. But, new rules aimed towards oil and gas operators could provide relief for communities that have been hard hit.
New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board adopted preliminary methane-leak-detection rulesSome hope will serve to be a model for federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Diné CARE (Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment)Mario Atencio, an organizer for the Navajo Nation, stated that methane emissions can be reduced to improve the health of local communities.
Atencio said that “the level of exposure, especially for young people, is not discussed with these wells.” It was never designed to ask the question, “How will it affect the little ones and then the seniors?” It’s never been discussed, and it’s not really out there.
New Mexico’s oil-and-gas operations emit more than 1 million metric tonnes of methane each year..
Many counties received failing grades from the American Lung Association for ozone pollution. This is due to respiratory issues that are often present in areas where methane (a potent greenhouse gases) is allowed leaking from wells or other infrastructure.
Kayley Shoup, a Carlsbad resident, is a community organizer Citizens Caring for the Future. She stated that regular monitoring can make a big difference in public health.
Shoup stated that “the quarterly inspections at schools and homes within 1,000 feet, especially for front-line members of the community, it’s an important game changer.” “That’s great news for our health, especially in the Permian. You have so much production.
Over the next few months, oil and gas operators will be expected to comply with the new requirements. Shoup stated that this would increase the industry’s goodwill, which is a significant contributor to the state’s financial well-being.
Shoup stated, “Oil and Gas companies aren’t bringing to table what they should be,” and “to give back these communities so that the communities can support having an industry in oil and gas.”
These state rules, which are in addition to the ones adopted last year, will end routine flaring and venting.
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