Economics

A feed of recent articles relating to Behavioral Economics from The Daily Climate.


18 March 2024. Proposed bill seeks to ban single-use plastic foam products in US

Takeout containers from restaurants on the side of the road. Discarded coffee cups floating in rivers. Packing peanuts shipped off to landfills.


Plastic foam products are ubiquitous. Now, a proposed congressional bill seeks to reduce this waste.

In December 2023, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett jointly introduced the Farewell to Foam Act in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The bill would ban single-use expanded polystyrene food packaging products, coolers and loose-fill packaging products like packing peanuts by January 2026. The legislators cited plastic foam’s environmental and health harms as driving the bill. Though it’s uncertain whether it will move forward, experts and advocates say its introduction is a significant step toward establishing national single-use plastic bans, none of which currently exist in the U.S.


plastic ban


Farewell to Foam


Expanded polystyrene, or EPS—erroneously referred to as Styrofoam, a trademarked material used in construction—is a fossil-fuel-derived plastic comprised of approximately 98% air and 2% plastic beads. This airiness makes EPS desirable for packaging: it insulates food, cushions products and costs little.

However, Van Hollen and Doggett claim the consequences of plastic foam pollution outweigh its convenience. “As trash clutters our waterways, roadsides, and greenspaces, foam doesn’t fully disintegrate. Instead, it ever so slowly degrades into microplastics that pollute our bodies and our planet,” the Texas Rep. said in a statement.

Plastic foam takes hundreds of years to break down. Within that lifespan, it can make a mess.

“Foam is particularly challenging because it’s lightweight and easily breaks up into tiny, tiny pieces, like micro- and nanoplastics,” Christy Leavitt, the plastics director at the ocean advocacy group Oceana, told EHN. These pieces spread across terrestrial and aquatic habitats, leading to massive deposits that animals can mistake for food.

Currently, 11 states, Washington D.C. and hundreds of cities across the U.S. have passed similar plastic foam bans. The Farewell to Foam Act, though, is the first national motion to prohibit EPS foams across the country.

“It is a great time to build off of what the cities and states have been doing and to have federal action on reducing foams,” Leavitt said.

Recycling challenges 


Some of the bill’s critics argue that bans are not the best way to keep plastic foams out of the environment. In a statement to EHN, Matt Seaholm, the president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association, acknowledged plastic pollution as an issue but said the proposed bill was “misguided” and that time would be better spent on policies that prioritize “improving our recycling infrastructure, increasing the market for post-consumer recycled content and creating well-constructed extended producer responsibility programs.”

However, while more than 10 million tons of plastic foam are produced globally each year, in the U.S., less than 10% is recycled. Most recycling stations do not accept it because it breaks into beads and cannot be processed using standard machinery. Since the material is mostly air, it’s also more expensive to recycle than to produce new materials.

“I really hunger for an effective way to recycle polystyrene and upcycle polystyrene,” Guoliang “Greg” Liu, a polymer chemist and chemical engineer at Virginia Tech, told EHN. Scientists like Liu have found ways to recycle plastic foam into products with applications in manufacturing and medicine. However, the economic incentives aren’t yet widespread enough to make these processes commonplace. “We can’t just consider very cool chemistry and science. We must consider if we can do this in a realistic and scalable manner,” he said.

Though recycling could help divert EPS from the polluting water and land, it wouldn’t solve the problem of its potential health risks.

Microplastics, styrene exposure concerns 


In a press release, the legislators referenced expanded polystyrene’s tendency to leach microplastics into their contents as a human health concern. There’s also concern over the presence of styrene in it. Styrene, its resinous building block, is categorized as possibly carcinogenic by the International Research Agency on Cancer. People typically come into close contact with styrene in manufacturing workplaces, where exposure can irritate their eyes, lungs, skin and nervous systems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upheld plastic foam as a safe packaging material because the trace amounts of styrene leached into food tend to stay under the recommended daily limit and don’t necessarily exceed the amounts of styrene found naturally in foods like strawberries and nuts. However, some researchers and advocates worry about the effects of repeated exposure to styrene in EPS-packaged food. Processing styrene into expanded polystyrene tends to minimize exposure, but the amount of leached styrene can increase if the material is damaged or improperly manufactured or if the edible contents are very hot and oily.

It’s unclear whether styrene leached into foods impacts human health, since most research focuses on workplace exposure. Regarding microplastics, current research suggests potential links between microplastics and increased inflammation.

An important step on plastic waste 


Michelle Nowlin, co-director of Duke’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, told EHN she believes a national plastic foam ban is sound. “You think about all the other risks and threats that it poses and the difficulties with recycling it, and it just doesn't make sense to continue using the product, particularly for food ware,” she said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have the power to enforce this ban and would give warnings and fines to violators. The ban would apply to food distributors who use plastic foam packaging, while manufacturers, retailers and distributors would be held responsible for loose fill and coolers. Single-use medical supplies would not be affected.

As of March 2023, the bill has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate and the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce in the House. The committees have yet to review the bill, but 86 congresspeople (all Democrats except for 2 independents) across both chambers have signed on as co-sponsors.

However, it appears unlikely that the bill will pass by January 2025, when the current Congress ends, as it has been one of the least productive legislative bodies in American history. Nowlin added that the political polarization of the 118th Congress has stymied many bills from passing.

However, Nowlin still believes that this bill’s proposal is an important step. “Introducing these types of provisions is really important to elevate the national consciousness, to get these conversations started,” she said. “We’ll get there eventually.”

18 March 2024. Georgia eyes approval for a controversial titanium mine near Okefenokee Swamp

A titanium mine proposed near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has sparked significant opposition, raising concerns about the impact on North America's largest intact blackwater swamp.

Brady Dennis reports for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • The mine, proposed by Twin Pines Minerals, promises economic benefits but faces opposition from environmentalists, scientists, and the Biden administration, highlighting risks to the Okefenokee Swamp.
  • Public debate intensifies as Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division issues draft permits, with a final decision pending based on public comments.
  • Local communities and environmental advocates emphasize the irreplaceable value of the Okefenokee, citing its unique ecosystem, historical significance, and potential designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Key quote:

"Titanium is a common mineral, while the Okefenokee is a very uncommon swamp.”

— Bruce Babbitt, interior secretary under President Bill Clinton

Why this matters:

It's a familiar debate with passions running high on both sides. Mining proponents tout potential economic benefits and infrastructure improvements in a region badly in need of both, while opponents argue for protections of a unique ecosystem. Defenders of the Okefenokee have been here before as Peter Dykstra points out in this 2020 essay from Environmental Health News.

18 March 2024. Louisiana's tax breaks for polluting plastics plants raise environmental justice concerns

A recent report highlights the environmental and health impacts of Louisiana's tax-supported plastics plants, particularly on communities of color.

Mark Schleifstein reports for NOLA.


In short:

  • The Environmental Integrity Project's report criticizes the $5.6 billion in tax breaks given to Louisiana's chemical companies since 2013, underlining the pollution impact on nearby minority communities.
  • Despite industry claims, 84% of plastics plants violated air pollution permits over the past three years, with significant toxic emissions reported.
  • The report emphasizes the need for stricter fenceline monitoring and criticizes the lack of enforcement actions against violators.

Key quote:

"In Louisiana, there's an environmental justice component... close to 600,000 people live within three miles of these plants and about two-thirds of them, 66%, are communities of color."

— Alexandra Shaykevich, research manager at EIP

Why this matters:

The report, based on federal and state data, sheds light on the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on communities of color, emphasizing a need for policy reforms to protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable health outcomes. As much of the world struggles to loosen the death grip of fossil fuels, into the breach steps petrochemicals.

18 March 2024. FBI's deep surveillance at Standing Rock revealed in court

In a legal tussle that sheds light on the government's eye on environmental protests, new details have emerged about the FBI's deployment of informants at the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation during the 2016 Dakota Access pipeline demonstrations.

Alleen Brown reports for Grist.


In short:

  • Up to 10 FBI informants were embedded within anti-pipeline camps, as part of a broader surveillance effort that included social media and radio eavesdropping.
  • The surveillance was aimed at monitoring the Indigenous-led protests, which drew thousands to oppose the Dakota Access oil pipeline due to environmental and sovereignty concerns.
  • The FBI's actions are part of a historical pattern of surveillance on Indigenous movements, echoing tactics used during the 1970s against the American Indian Movement.

Key quote:

"We were already cynical, because we’ve had our heart broke before by our own relatives."

— Manape LaMere, member of the Bdewakantowan Isanti and Ihanktowan bands

Why this matters:

Critics argue that the FBI's actions reflect a concerning trend of treating environmental and Indigenous rights activists as potential threats, raising issues about the balance between national security interests and the constitutional rights of free speech and assembly. Supporters of law enforcement efforts, however, contend that the measures were necessary to maintain public safety and order amidst growing tensions.

From the Sioux to the Sault: Standing Rock spirit spreads to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

18 March 2024. France targets fast fashion's footprint with legislative action

In a bold move to address the environmental and social toll of fast fashion, France's parliament has green-lit legislation aimed at curbing the industry's excesses.

Angela Symons reports for Euronews.


In short:

  • France proposes penalties and advertising bans for fast fashion to mitigate its ecological impact.
  • The legislation, aimed at reducing waste and encouraging sustainable consumer habits, targets major players like Shein.
  • Efforts include enhancing consumer awareness and imposing fines based on the environmental and carbon impact of products.

Key quote:

"Ultra fast fashion is an ecological disaster: clothes are poorly made, widely purchased, rarely worn and quickly thrown away."

— Christophe Béchu, minister of Ecological Transition

Why this matters:

Fast fashion, the rapid production of high volumes of low-cost clothing, has become a significant source of pollution and environmental degradation. This industry model, designed to quickly turn around new styles and trends, encourages overconsumption and leads to a staggering amount of waste.

Journalist Allison Guy tried to sew a compostable stuffed animal for her friend’s newborn. It did not go well.

18 March 2024. Biden's administration to launch a pivotal clean car rule

The Biden administration is poised to introduce regulation aiming to drastically cut emissions from cars and accelerate the shift to electric vehicles.

Jean Chemnick and Mike Lee report for POLITICO.


In short:

  • The upcoming regulation from the EPA focuses on reducing emissions from passenger cars, the primary source of U.S. carbon emissions.
  • By 2032, the rule expects electric vehicles to constitute about two-thirds of new car sales.
  • The regulation is part of broader efforts, including incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, to support the transition to electric vehicles.

Key quote:

"So let’s be clear that it’s a very, very modest change in carbon pollution."

— Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund

Why this matters:

Reducing car emissions also means fewer pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulates in the air. This leads to cleaner air, which has immediate health benefits for the population, reducing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The “original sin” of air quality regulations is keeping communities polluted. But that’s changing.

18 March 2024. Industry giants show support for federal recycling fee initiative

Major petrochemical companies and manufacturers, including Exxon Mobil and LyondellBasell, are exploring with lawmakers the idea of implementing a federal fee on packaging to bolster recycling efforts.

James Osborne reports for the Houston Chronicle.


In short:

  • Key industry players are negotiating with Congress to introduce a fee on packaging materials aimed at enhancing recycling infrastructure.
  • The initiative seeks to address the dismal 9% plastic recycling rate in the U.S. by adopting measures similar to those in Europe and certain U.S. states.
  • Support for this proposal spans across large corporations, indicating a shift toward acknowledging the need for federally coordinated recycling strategies.

Key quote:

“Companies are starting to realize no amount of investment that is going to solve this and they needed to start working closer with government. That’s a huge shift for American companies.”

— Erin Simon, a vice president at the World Wildlife Fund

Why this matters:

Recycling rates for plastics remain low compared to other materials, largely due to economic, technical, and logistical challenges. Enhancing plastics recycling requires a multifaceted approach that includes incentivizing both the supply side (collection and processing) and the demand side (use of recycled materials).

Biodegradable and plant-based plastics are booming — but still come with climate and chemical concerns.

18 March 2024. International court rules against Koch Industries in carbon pricing case

An international tribunal ruled that Canada is not obligated to compensate Koch Industries for the losses it claimed after the cap-and-trade program was canceled in Ontario.

Fatima Syed reports for The Narwhal.


In short:

  • Koch Industries sought compensation for over US$30 million in losses following the termination of Ontario’s cap-and-trade program by the Doug Ford government in 2018.
  • The case, which hinged on whether emissions credits qualify as investments, was dismissed by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
  • This ruling comes after a four-year legal battle, highlighting Koch Industries' history of opposing environmental policies through legal means.

Key quote:

“We don’t know for sure but if the case was tossed out on jurisdiction then it’s likely that the tribunal agreed with Canada that Koch’s purchase of emissions credits in Ontario does not qualify as an investment.”

— Stuart Trew, director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ trade and investment research project

Why this matters:

Critics argue that the Ford government's decision to cancel the cap-and-trade program was ill-considered and pushed the financial burden onto all Canadians, with federal government resources now being used to defend against the Koch family claim. This has sparked discussions on the implications for future environmental policy adjustments, as lawsuits such as this one could deter governments from implementing new or modified environmental policies due to fear of litigation.

Peter Dykstra: Clearing up some myths about the seven—yes, seven—Koch brothers.

18 March 2024. Biden faces choice between advancing offshore wind and honoring tribal heritage in California

The Biden administration's push for offshore wind farms off California's coast clashes with plans to establish a tribal heritage marine sanctuary.

Heather Richards reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary might block the development of crucial offshore wind projects necessary for California's decarbonization efforts.
  • Offshore wind developers are seeking ways to ensure their power lines can reach the mainland without diminishing the sanctuary's size or its significance to the Chumash tribe.
  • The situation illustrates a broader struggle to balance environmental protection, renewable energy goals, and the preservation of indigenous rights.

Key quote:

"The ocean should not be the sacrificial lamb for our unquenchable thirst for energy."

— Violet Sage Walker, chair of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council.

Why this matters:

The tension at Morro Bay underlines a critical junction in America's energy transition: how to harmoniously expand renewable energy infrastructure while respecting environmental sanctuaries and Indigenous heritage. This debate isn't just local; it's a snapshot of the larger challenge in aligning environmental preservation with the urgent push for green energy.

The century began with a great deal of optimism around marine protected areas as tools to protect the oceans. Two decades later, conservation goals and fishing interests remain at odds.

18 March 2024. Massachusetts beachfront homeowners lose half-million-dollar sand dune to the sea

In a dramatic turn of events, a group of Salisbury, Massachusetts homeowners saw their expensive effort to protect their beachfront homes vanish within days.

Erum Salam reports for The Guardian.


In short:

  • A costly sand dune, built by beachfront property owners in Salisbury, Massachusetts to guard against coastal erosion, was washed away in just 72 hours.
  • Despite the dune's quick disappearance, the Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change claim it played a crucial role in preventing further damage from encroaching tides.
  • The failure of the sand dune project highlights the broader issue of increasing coastal erosion, attributed to rising sea levels and more extreme weather due to climate change.

Key quote:

"Their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean gives them a source of moisture and their northern latitude also firmly places them under the powerful jet stream during much of the year."

— Jonathan Belles, digital meteorologist, The Weather Channel

Why this matters:

This incident not only illustrates the financial risks homeowners are willing to take to protect their properties but also serves as a microcosm for the larger, global challenges of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

Peter Dykstra: US environmental sacrifice zones.

18 March 2024. Texas ranchers confront wildfires and climate challenges

In the wake of Texas' largest wildfire, ranchers face the daunting task of recovery and adaptation amidst escalating climate extremes.

Gabrielle Canon reports for The Guardian.


In short:

  • Texas' unprecedented wildfire has devastated ranchlands, leaving thousands of cattle dead and jeopardizing the livelihoods of multi-generational family farms.
  • Ranchers are now grappling with both the immediate impacts of the disaster and the broader challenge of adapting to the escalating severity of climate-related weather events.
  • Despite the devastation, the spirit of resilience and community support shines through as ranchers and neighbors come together to aid recovery efforts.

Key quote:

"We don’t have grass. We don’t have water."

— Gary Joiner, spokesperson for the Texas Farm Bureau

Why this matters:

The Texas fires, intensified by a mix of prolonged droughts and heatwaves—a telltale sign of shifting climate patterns—are not just consuming vast stretches of land but are altering the very fabric of the natural and economic landscape. For the ranching industry, the consequences are dire. Wildfires not only destroy grazing lands, leaving cattle without food, but they also can lead to direct livestock losses and damage to property and infrastructure, such as fences and water supplies.

Guide: How do wildfires impact your health?

18 March 2024. Montana's youth take a stand for environmental rights

In a significant legal battle over Montana's environmental policy, young plaintiffs push back against the state's Supreme Court appeal, defending their right to a cleaner future.

Blair Miller reports for Daily Montanan.


In short:

  • Youth plaintiffs argue that Montana’s constitution mandates a clean environment, refuting the state's appeal against a ruling that favored environmental protections.
  • They highlight the 1972 Constitution framers' intent to empower courts in safeguarding Montanans' environmental rights.
  • The state's contention that local greenhouse gas emissions have a minimal global impact is challenged by the plaintiffs, emphasizing the importance of addressing local environmental degradation.

Key quote:

“As the trial record and District Court’s Order make clear, this case is about harm to Montana’s environment, natural resources and climate (and consequently its children) caused by [greenhouse gas] pollution and climate change.”

— Attorneys for the plaintiffs in Held v. Montana

Why this matters:

Fueled by a sense of urgency and a demand for action on climate change, young climate activists are leveraging lawsuits to push for more aggressive environmental protections and policy reforms. The legal actions spearheaded by these young Americans are not just symbolic gestures but are grounded in the belief that current and future generations have the constitutional right to a stable climate and a healthy environment.

18 March 2024. Facing a cold shock: How melting ice could alter global climates and raise sea levels

A recent study raises alarms about the potential catastrophic effects of climate change on the Atlantic Ocean's temperature and ecosystems.

Brian Resnick reports for Vox.


In short:

  • A scientific paper warns that melting ice could lead to a significant drop in temperatures in parts of Europe, alongside other global climate effects.
  • The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), crucial for regulating global climate, faces the risk of a "death spiral" due to freshwater influx.
  • This scenario, while uncertain, underlines the need for immediate climate action to prevent possible drastic changes.

Key quote:

“The trickiest part about modeling this is the whole system is very dependent on how the ocean and the atmosphere interact with each other.”

— Till Wagner, atmospheric and ocean scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Why this matters:

Warmer waters can disrupt the habitats of many marine species, leading to shifts in species distributions as fish and marine mammals migrate to cooler areas. This can impact food webs and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing.

Ocean heat waves, which can push out fish, plankton and other aquatic life, are happening far more frequently than previously thought.

18 March 2024. The decline of coal in the US energy mix

Natural gas and renewables are stepping in as coal's role in U.S. power generation dwindles.

Dan Gearino reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Coal's contribution to U.S. electricity production dropped to 16.2% in 2023, continuing a significant downward trend.
  • The decrease in coal usage is largely replaced by natural gas and, to a lesser extent, renewables, driven by economic factors and environmental concerns.
  • Challenges remain in ensuring a stable, affordable, and clean energy supply as the nation moves away from coal.

Key quote:

"It’s the economics of it — that stuff is cheap, so you use it. And it’s less carbon intensive, which is really good from a climate perspective."

— Melissa Lott, senior director of research at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University

Why this matters:

Coal, once the backbone of industrial power generation, is increasingly seen as an outdated and environmentally harmful energy source. Its decline is accelerated by stringent environmental regulations, competitive renewable energy prices, and a shift in investment toward green technologies.

Want healthier babies? Shut down coal plants.

15 March 2024. Climate change's widespread health impacts

Global warming poses a dire threat to public health, with effects ranging from extreme heat deaths to increased disease spread, says the director of The Lancet Countdown. But policies designed to combat climate change while protecting public health can build resilience.

Rob Reddick reports forWIRED.


In short:

  • Extreme weather and rising temperatures are linked to approximately 500,000 deaths annually, with projections indicating a potential fivefold increase by 2050.
  • The Lancet Countdown, a global research collaboration, provides evidence of climate change's current and future health risks, and urges immediate policy changes.
  • The organization points out multiple benefits from combating climate change: reducing pollution while improving health and quality of life through greener cities and better diets.

Key quote:

"When we talk about climate change, we’re not talking about the future. The cost of inaction is that we pay with people’s lives."

— Marina Romanello, executive director of the Lancet Countdown

Why this matters:

There's increasing interest -- and urgency -- around understanding and addressing the health impacts and equity dimensions of climate change. Read about how one community in Massachusetts is pursuing global climate justice concerns on a local level, connecting the dots between extreme weather, pollution and access to health care and clean energy in order to build community resilience.

15 March 2024. Plastic chemicals are more numerable and less regulated than previously thought: Report

HOUSTON — Fewer than 6% of more than 16,000 chemicals associated with plastic production are regulated worldwide, according to a new report from PlastChem.


PlastChem is a project funded by the Norwegian Research Council that identifies and seeks to address potential harm from plastics and polymers. The report released Thursday builds on growing evidence that suggests plastic production, use and waste is flooding humans and Earth with hazardous, or potentially hazardous, compounds, and that regulation to protect us from these compounds is not keeping up.

The report has big implications for places like Houston, Texas — nicknamed the “Energy Capital of the World” — which has more than 600 oil and gas facilities on the Houston Ship Channel. Many of those facilities are dedicated to processing fossil fuels and producing plastics.

The report found:

  • 16,325 chemicals related to plastic production, whether used intentionally or as a byproduct of the plastic lifecycle.
  • 6,276 chemicals have been studied with data available in the public domain.
  • More than 9,000 of these chemicals have publicly available data.
  • Fewer than 6% of these chemicals are regulated.

“Very few of these chemicals are regulated on a global scale,” said Martin Wagner, first author of the report and a member of the PlastChem project team, during a webinar discussing the report findings. “There’s simply too many out there.”

“Many [regulated chemicals] are only regulated in parts of their life cycle,” added Laura Monclús, ecotoxicologist and PlastChem project team member.

Plastic lifecycle


Shell petrochemical plastics

The life cycle of a plastic usually starts with a fossil fuel — oil, gas or coal — that is chemically altered through petrochemical production into final products. Chemical pollution related to plastics — from the initial fossil fuel extraction to the plastic waste littering our land and water — has been attributed to serious health impacts, as noted in our previous reporting here. The Journal of the Endocrine Society recently published a study that found plastics were linked to $249 billion in healthcare costs in 2018 alone.

Of the 6,276 chemicals PlastChem has data for, they identified:

  • 3,567 as “hazardous chemicals of concern”
  • 1,168 as “less hazardous”
  • 28 as “watch list”
  • 153 as “not hazardous

“Research shows many of these chemicals are emitted or released [from plastic products], resulting in exposure … and the exposure has substantial health impacts,” Wagner said.

Monclús stated that PlastChem does not consider the chemicals listed as “not hazardous” to be safe. PlastChem was unable to evaluate the “not hazardous” chemicals for all aspects of their hazard testing.

Plastic policy recommendations 


The report suggested increasing industry and government transparency of chemicals, new regulations that target specific chemical groups similar in structure to known hazardous chemicals such as PFAS, bisphenols and phthalates (since production outpaces the time needed to study each individual chemical), and inclusion of their research into the UN Global Plastics Treaty draft.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, said they were “encouraged that today’s report emphasizes the need for greater transparency around the use of plastic additives and potential health risks” but questioned some of the data.

“Unfortunately, today’s report seeks to advance a hazard framework that ignores real-world exposures and paints an incomplete picture for regulators and the public,” said Kimberly Wise White, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs in a press release from the American Chemistry Council.

However, Karen Reubenheimer, senior lecturer for the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security at the University of Wollongong, said the “report has made very clear that transparency and disclosure is lacking.”

“It’s easy to manage pollution you can see, but pollution you can’t, you need really clear data.”

The database can be downloaded here.

15 March 2024. Methane emissions far exceed official estimates, study finds

A new study highlights the significant underreporting of methane emissions by the oil and gas industry, revealing emissions approximately three times higher than Environmental Protection Agency figures.

Jeff Brady reports for NPR.


In short:

  • Researchers used aerial and ground measurements to uncover that the oil and gas sector's methane emissions are nearly triple the EPA's estimates.
  • The variance in emissions across regions points to infrastructure and market dynamics influencing leakage rates.
  • The study's findings support the push for tighter methane regulations, amidst legal challenges and global commitments to reduce climate impact.

Key quote:

"Emissions of methane from fossil fuel operations remain unacceptably high."

— Tim Gould, chief economist at the International Energy Agency

Why this matters:

Methane's potent climate impact makes these findings a wake-up call. Leaks from oil and gas infrastructure are particularly problematic, as methane can escape from thousands of points along the production chain, from wells to pipelines to storage facilities.

15 March 2024. Toxic air lingers in Texas Latino community, revealing failures in state’s air monitoring system

This project was created through the Altavoz Lab Environmental Fellowship in partnership with Environmental Health Sciences and received additional funding from the Pulitzer Center. It was co-published by The Texas Tribune, Environmental Health News and palabra.


To read a version of this story in Spanish click here. Haz clic aquí para leer este reportaje en español.

Listen to this story:



CLOVERLEAF — On a hot, humid October day, Cristina Lazo readies her youngest daughter for a bike ride and whispers in Spanish, I pray to God nothing happens to you.

Lazo, who wears a Rebelde band T-shirt and biker shorts, takes Alina, an energetic 7-year-old, outdoors for short periods because it only takes a few minutes before Alina’s eyes get red and her coughing starts.

Vámonos,” Lazo yells, lengthening the last syllabus as she begins pedaling through the streets of Cloverleaf, an unincorporated area about 15 miles east of downtown Houston. Alina starts coughing immediately.

Lazo, a 42-year-old mother of six, knows that tonight she’ll rub Vick’s Vaporub on her daughter’s chest, and in the morning Alina will still wake up with congestion and what Lazo calls "itchy spider webs” in her eyes.


Even though doctors haven’t been able to pinpoint what causes Alina’s symptoms, Lazo suspects the air outside, which she said often reeks of chemicals — she calls it a “poison-like smell.” So she limits Alina’s outdoor activities and buys an antibiotic ointment at a Salvadoran pharmacy for her daughter’s itchy eyes.

Cloverleaf, where 79.4% of its 24,100 residents are Hispanic, is one of a string of communities that sits in the shadow of the 52-mile-long Houston Ship Channel, one of the world’s largest petrochemical complexes where more than 200 facilities process fossil fuels into plastics, fertilizers and pesticides.

Lazo can’t see the smokestacks from her home, but most days they release dark clouds of chemicals that permeate Cloverleaf and nearby communities like Channelview, Galena Park and Pasadena.

The emissions include particulate matter — microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause irregular heartbeats, aggravate asthma and other respiratory ailments — which some scientists call the deadliest form of air pollution. A recent air quality analysis by Air Alliance Houston using industry emissions data submitted to the state found a higher annual average concentration of particulate matter the closer people live to the Ship Channel.

The plants also spew cancer-causing chemicals like benzene that can irritate the throat and eyes when large amounts are inhaled.

In Cloverleaf and nearby communities, locals say the air often smells like rotten eggs, nail polish or burning tires. Many residents said they suffer from respiratory problems, asthma and skin ailments, and they wonder if the air they’re breathing is the culprit.

Yet information about what they're breathing every day is hard to find, despite the presence of 23 state air monitoring sites near the Houston Ship Channel.


gulf coast petrochemicals air pollution


Houston Ship Channel

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s decades-old air monitoring system does not measure many of the known pollutants coming from the nearby petrochemical plants. For example, the closest monitor to Cloverleaf does not measure particulate matter or sulfur dioxide — two of the six health-threatening airborne pollutants that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strictly limited to protect human health.

Jeff Robinson, an EPA official who manages the air monitoring division, said federal law does not require states to measure all six criteria pollutants at every air monitoring site.

Each pollutant has a set of rules that helps states determine how many monitors they need to measure its presence in an area. The rules include installing air monitors based on population numbers and the number of emission sources in a region.

Robinson added that “there's nothing that precludes a state from over monitoring.”

The information that the TCEQ’s air monitoring system does collect is difficult for the average resident to understand and usually only in English. That’s a challenge for people in places like Cloverleaf, where more than 71% of residents speak Spanish at home.

“There's nothing that precludes a state from over monitoring.” - Jeff Robinson, EPA official

Federal law doesn’t say how the information should be presented to the public, Robinson said.

Dozens of residents told The Texas Tribune/Environmental Health News/Altavoz Lab they did not know that the state had an air monitoring network.

Deysy Canales, 34, a mother of three who likes to spend time outdoors relaxing in her hammock or tending to her aloe vera plants, has battled chronic asthma since moving to Cloverleaf. She was surprised to hear about the state air monitors.

"It is important for [TCEQ] to inform the population about air quality and pollution so that asthmatic people like me can take better care of ourselves," she said in Spanish.

Patricia Prado, a 43-year-old Cloverleaf resident, has asthma and regularly experiences congestion and severe allergies. Her daughter Jocelyn Prado, 21, said she deals with throbbing, uncontrollable migraines, allergies and a persistent skin condition that makes her itchy.

They also didn’t know about the state air monitoring system. Jocelyn Prado said it "was shocking to me and to my mom. It's something that we never knew. The government doesn't tell us."

She added that air quality information would be useful when she sees petrochemical facilities' towers burning like enormous candles from her home.

“With that information, I feel like we could put on a mask, limit the time of being outside or just be aware,” she said.


houston petrochemical air pollution


While TCEQ said it has worked to make their air quality data easy to understand, locals and advocates say it’s not enough. Data on the TCEQ’s public website does not connect the dots for residents, offering no explanation or context to help users decipher what they’re seeing.

“There is a need for broader ways of communicating what this means for health. What does this level mean?” said Natalie Johnson, an environmental toxicologist at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. “That currently is hard to interpret.”

Erandi Treviño, who lives in a neighborhood 19 miles south of Cloverleaf and is a coalition organizer for the environmental nonprofit Healthy Port Communities Coalition, said the air monitoring network is essentially worthless for people in her community.

“A big problem still with TCEQ is that the information they do share is too dense and difficult to understand,” Treviño said. “They need to communicate in a clear way and with simple language that can be understood by the average person in the community.”

Victoria Cann, a spokesperson for the TCEQ, said in an email that the air monitoring network’s primary intent is to use the data collected to determine compliance with federal regulations, forecast air quality conditions, evaluate air pollution trends and study air quality’s impact to human health to inform regulatory decisions.

In response to critiques from advocates and researchers, Cann said in an email that the public can use information from the TCEQ air monitors “to assist them in making decisions about their personal exposure to current air quality conditions in their area” and added that the agency has improved accessibility throughout the years. Recently, TCEQ launched a dashboard that shows air pollution levels with a speedometer-style graphic, a tool Cann said the agency plans to further enhance.

“A big problem still with TCEQ is that the information they do share is too dense and difficult to understand." - Erandi Treviño, Healthy Port Communities Coalition

However, the state network’s blind spots were exposed in a yearlong study funded by EPA in 2021, when the Houston Health Department investigated air quality in Cloverleaf, Channelview and Galena Park and found high concentrations of formaldehyde, a colorless, flammable gas generated by plastics manufacturing that can irritate the skin, throat, lungs and eyes; repeated exposure can lead to cancer.

In Cloverleaf, the department analyzed air data from 2019 to 2020 and detected formaldehyde levels more than 13 times the EPA’s chronic health screening level, a limit that suggests long-term exposure to the substance may pose health risks. In Galena Park, the level was seven times higher, while in Channelview it was five times higher.

The study’s authors asked TCEQ to tighten its rules to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds and ramp up monitoring of formaldehyde levels. At the time, only two air monitors near the Ship Channel, in Galena Park and Deer Park, measured formaldehyde. Three years later, Cloverleaf’s air monitor still does not measure formaldehyde.

TCEQ took no action. Cann said in an email that the formaldehyde levels found in the study fell below the agency’s threshold for further investigation and those levels “are not considered to cause any adverse health effects in the population.” She added that the agency’s threshold “is based on a more recent review of the science” than the EPA’s.

Steve Smith, chairman of the Houston Regional Monitoring (HRM), a network of more than 30 petrochemical companies that own the Cloverleaf air monitor and three others in the TCEQ network, said “there's certainly room for improvement in getting the word out, sharing with people, with the communities, what resources are out there, what data is available … that has always been a struggle, in terms of trying to translate that into something that all of us can understand,” he said.


children's health air pollution

Hector Rivero, president & CEO of the Texas Chemistry Council, an industry group representing over 200 chemical manufacturing facilities, added that the industry “remains steadfast in our support for air monitoring initiatives across the state.”

Environmental organizations like Air Alliance Houston — which has installed its own air monitors in some Ship Channel neighborhoods — and Fenceline Watch worry that the lack of air quality information in other languages is preventing residents from knowing when it's safe to go outside. They added that accessible, multilingual information about air quality would help residents pressure authorities to address hazardous air quality in their communities.

Back in Cloverleaf, Lazo said air quality information has not reached her community and people are dealing with the consequences.

“Cloverleaf is not being paid attention to,” she said. “Not as deeply as [the state] should."

Dirty air, silent costs in “sacrifice zone”


A few blocks from the Lazos’ house, Canales, a petite woman with curly brown hair pulled into a ponytail and sun-kissed skin, watches her kids playing with a ball outside their mobile home, which is surrounded by a chicken wire fence.

“There’s a lot of smells here,” Canales said in Spanish. “The smells that waft are like something burning, as if they were burning plastic.”

Her husband, her son and two daughters are healthy, she said, but she is not. Since moving to Cloverleaf from Honduras, Canales said she has developed allergies, asthma and a persistent sore throat.

“In my country, I never got anything. But now that I have come to live here, in Cloverleaf, I do get sick more often and I go to the doctor for asthma attacks,” Canales said.

The attacks are like “a gut punch to the stomach,” robbing her of air, she said. She fights the symptoms with Vicks VapoRub, chamomile tea and a bunch of medications she carries everywhere in her small squared-shaped purse.

Her two daughters tend to her during the attacks. “My mother gets asthma so bad she can’t even breathe, and it makes me feel really bad and sad because she is my mother,” 10-year-old Ashley said.


Gulf Coast petrochemicals air pollution


air pollution Texas


Asthma is common in Cloverleaf: 10.5% of adults have it, compared to the national average rate of 9.7%. Children living in Harris County have an asthma rate of 8.9% — higher than the state average of 7%.

Last year, Canales was hospitalized two times in three months for asthma attacks. During the most recent one, she went to Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, where she was seated in a wheelchair and hooked up to a steam machine to inhale medication through a mask.

“I couldn't even walk,” she recalled.

When her symptoms appear, Canales said she goes to a nearby clinic, where she typically pays less than $20 for a consultation but close to $400 for tests and medications — more than what she earns in a week at their family’s business making wooden crates to transport produce. She said she hasn’t seen an asthma specialist because she’s uninsured.

Canales is among roughly 54% of Cloverleaf residents who don't have health insurance, according to a recent Harris County study. That’s more than three times higher than the statewide uninsured rate of 16.6%.

“There’s a lot of smells here. The smells that waft are like something burning, as if they were burning plastic.” - Deysy Canales, a mother of three in Cloverleaf

Studies show that the nearly 69,800 residents of Cloverleaf and Channelview — more than a third of them children under 18 — are breathing some of the dirtiest air in the country.

According to the American Lung Association's 2023 "State of the Air" report, Harris County has an "F" grade for having unhealthy levels of particulate matter and ozone pollution, which can damage the lungs and trigger respiratory problems.

A recent report by the human rights organization Amnesty International found that people living in communities near the Houston Ship Channel, primarily low-income communities of color, have life expectancies up to 20 years shorter than wealthier, predominantly white areas just 15 miles away. Labeling the Ship Channel area a "sacrifice zone," the organization criticizes both the petrochemical industry for spewing toxic pollutants and government agencies like the TCEQ and EPA for lax enforcement of their own regulations.

Harris County also has some of the state’s highest levels of cancer. Lazo’s 87-year-old father, who has lived in Cloverleaf for more than 20 years, is in remission from liver cancer, and Lazo cares for him while her mother goes to church.

An 18-month study published in 2007 by the University of Texas School of Public Health and the Houston Health Department found that children living within two miles of the Houston Ship Channel had a 56% greater chance of being diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia than children living at least 10 miles away from the Ship Channel. While the study did not directly link exposure to hazardous chemicals and increased cancer in kids, researchers suggested a second analysis.


Houston air pollution children


Dr. Philip Lupo, an epidemiologist specializing in childhood cancer at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, said genetics alone can’t explain the number of child cancer cases in the Houston area.

"It's so important to consider the environment,” he said.

Despite being the nation’s largest petrochemical corridor, Lupo said there aren’t enough studies in Houston that explore possible links between petrochemical air pollution and cancer — or enough money to make them happen.

"There are plenty of lines of evidence that suggests that pediatric cancer has an environmental component. But trying to target that has been a problem," he said. "If you have a child that lives in an area that's not as polluted, their likelihood of being exposed is just less by nature."

Studies in other countries have shown that residents who live near petrochemical plants releasing hazardous chemicals and particles have an increased risk of dying from cancers of the brain, bladder and lungs, as well as leukemia and multiple myeloma.

About 5 miles from the Ship Channel in South Houston, Erandi Treviño recalls the first time she heard about the 2007 UT leukemia study. She was a fifth grader living in Pasadena and she said hearing about how pollution could impact health led her to environmental advocacy.

Three years ago, she began working with EcoMadres, a Latina-led group that’s part of the national environmental nonprofit Moms Clean Air Force, which focuses on protecting children from air pollution. That led to her current job with the Healthy Port Communities Coalition, which helps teach communities about air quality and how to advocate for cleaner air.

The 32-year-old struggles with fibromyalgia, a muscle disorder that causes pain and fatigue. Studies show that people with low-level chemical intolerance are more susceptible to chronic fatigue. Treviño said her body has been working overtime since she was a kid because of the polluted air she has inhaled for decades.

“Kids can’t play outside if it smells bad. They can't be children,” Treviño said. “The physical, mental and neurological effect on the bodies of these children will follow them throughout their lives, when they are older.”


Houston Texas air pollution kids


fossil fuels texas

State’s air monitoring gaps 


In January 2004, a crowd of several thousand at Hermann Park's Miller Outdoor Theatre saw Bill White become Houston's new mayor. In his inaugural speech, White said he would improve the city’s air quality by addressing chronic problems such as ozone and benzene pollution.

“In Texas, we believe in property rights and nobody owns the air except the public. Nobody has a right to chemically alter it or to hurt somebody else, period. End of story,” White said in his slow, husky voice.

Air pollution had become so bad in the city — particularly around the fast-growing industrial zone along the Ship Channel — and accurate, understandable air quality information was so scarce that resident-led groups began constructing an easy-to-use air sampling device inspired by a California environmental engineering firm’s design that let residents capture air samples using pickle jars and plastic paint buckets.

The Houston Chronicle called them “a team of modern-day Nancy Drews” who recorded odors from nearby chemical plants on their kitchen calendars, writing smells like "turnip" or "nail polish" next to doctor appointments and church functions.

In 2004, White appeared before TCEQ commissioners and criticized the agency for the lack of real-time air quality data on its website.

The extent of the industrial pollution in the area was underscored in 2005 when a five-part series in the Houston Chronicle, "In Harm's Way," found elevated levels of 1,3-butadiene and benzene in four East Houston communities, sparking public debate about the city’s air pollution problems.

Following the newspaper’s investigation, White took legal action against Texas Petrochemicals Company, a Houston-based company with a history of violations that was believed to be the source of elevated hazardous air pollutants in East Houston. The company agreed to sign a pollution reduction agreement for 1,3 butadiene and install a fenceline monitoring system. After the agreement, the plant reduced butadiene emissions by 58%, according to reports.

In 2006, a TCEQ report reinforced what the newspaper’s investigation had found — historically high concentrations of benzene and 1,3-butadiene at monitors in Galena Park, Manchester and other communities near the Ship Channel.

Decades before White’s crusade, Texas state was considered a pioneer in air monitoring. In January 1972, a year after the newly created EPA adopted national air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, Texas installed its first continuous air monitoring station at the Jefferson County Airport in Nederland, which measured ozone on a near real-time basis. Later that year, the state added another one in southeast Houston.

“In Texas, we believe in property rights and nobody owns the air except the public. Nobody has a right to chemically alter it or to hurt somebody else, period. End of story.” - Bill White, former Houston mayor (2004-2010)

The new federal standards aimed to protect Americans’ health by setting limits on six airborne pollutants: ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, lead and nitrogen oxide.

Texas began its own monitoring network in 1974, five years before the EPA required them nationally. The Texas Air Control Board, TCEQ’s predecessor, launched a network of 214 sites with 36 continuous air samplers to measure pollution levels in Houston, Dallas, El Paso, Beaumont, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Austin.

Today, the Texas air monitoring network is one of the largest in the country, with 228 air monitoring stations across the state, including about 47 in the Houston area. TCEQ said in an email that air monitoring stations are strategically placed across the state to assess air quality.

Four of those, including the one in Cloverleaf, are owned by Houston Regional Monitoring (HRM), a network of 30 petrochemical companies.

Smith, the HRM chairman, said that the industry-owned monitors were installed to help the industry obtain air quality information that would help them meet permit requirements and help cash-stripped TCEQ meet the need for more monitors.

The machines are expensive, some costing up to $500,000. And not all Texas counties have one — notably, few are located in the Permian Basin in West Texas, the nation’s biggest and most active oil-producing region — and not all measure the six pollutants targeted by the EPA, according to the TCEQ.

On the TCEQ’s website, a daily air forecast report shows ozone and particulate matter levels in Texas' metropolitan areas using a color-coded system — green, yellow and red. The agency’s geospatial database shows real-time data on the amount of pollutants in the air when users select an air monitor location.

But residents and environmental advocates say the state’s air information is hard for the average resident to interpret. The data is organized in spreadsheets and colorful maps — a sea of numbers with no context.


houston air pollution


“Not even my wife, who has been exposed to several years of nerdy air quality talk during the last 10-11 years, knows how to read the quality data,” Ebrahim Eslami, a research scientist specializing in air quality at Houston Advanced Research Center, an independent research hub, said as he pointed to a number on TCEQ’s website. “The average person doesn’t know. There is no indication if 11 is bad or good or I don't know.”

Eslami has compared Texas’ site to neighboring Louisiana’s, which tells users whether a pollutant is measuring at higher or lower levels than federal health limits on the same page as their air quality readings.


Gulf Coast petrochemicals


In Cloverleaf, Lazo's home buzzed with energy on a December afternoon — all her children had gathered for the holidays and she’d put a towering silver and blue frosted Christmas tree in the living room.

Lazo was curious about how she could check the air quality outside. With guidance, she picked up her phone and entered the TCEQ air monitoring website for the first time, looking at the Texas map with raised eyebrows.

“I just see a bunch of little squares with colors,” Lazo said in Spanish. “I won’t know what it is if [TCEQ] doesn’t explain it to me.”

Lazo clicked on her neighborhood’s air monitor, then on a list of contaminants: benzene, 1,3 butadiene, ozone, toluene. The levels appeared on a graphic that looks like a speedometer, but they didn’t indicate whether those levels were bad or good.

“I don’t understand this at all,” Lazo said.

She said she has the right to this information and wishes it was presented like a daily weather report, something everyone can understand, “to be able to enjoy nature more with my loved ones. To be able to be in the fresh outdoors.”


Gulf Coast petrochemical air pollution


The state’s air monitoring system has also failed Texans when they need pollution information the most — during industrial accidents near their homes. According to data compiled by the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters, a group of environmental justice organizations, in 2023 Texas recorded 90 chemical incidents, including fires, explosions or toxic releases — the most of any state.

On March 17, 2019, towering flames and black smoke billowed from Intercontinental Terminals Company, a chemical tank farm in Deer Park, next to the Ship Channel. As firefighters struggled to extinguish the growing chemical fire, nearby residents wondered if it was safe to go outside.

City officials advised Deer Park residents to shelter indoors twice: for 18 hours immediately after the fire started and again three days later.

Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia wanted data from the state that could help answer residents’ questions. But the Deer Park air monitor closest to the fire, which TCEQ calls “one of the most comprehensive air monitoring stations in the TCEQ network,” did not gather data for cancer-causing chemicals during the first two days of the disaster because it was malfunctioning.

“Not even my wife, who has been exposed to several years of nerdy air quality talk during the last 10-11 years, knows how to read the quality data.” - Ebrahim Eslami, a research scientist at Houston Advanced Research Center

Cann, the TCEQ spokesperson, said a part of the monitor that reads and evaluates air quality was causing a series of data gaps and that system “required repair and quality control checks and calibrations to be performed.”

Garcia said the state left the county ill-prepared during a crisis and county officials didn’t feel they were being told everything they needed to know about the severity of the air pollution.

“I have absolutely zero confidence in TCEQ, regretfully,” Garcia said. “It's just been indicative that TCEQ tends to look out for industry more than they tend to look out for the community.”

About 11 hours after the fire erupted, TCEQ investigators began using handheld monitors to measure volatile organic compounds, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. In a timeline of events the agency submitted to state lawmakers a month later, investigators noted “slight odors, however, no readings of concern are detected.”

Five days later, EPA dispatched a mobile laboratory that roamed the area for the next two months. A 2023 Texas Tribune investigation found that dangerous levels of benzene remained in the air for weeks after public health measures were lifted, according to data captured from the mobile units.

Benzene is known to cause cancer after repeated exposure and can affect the central nervous system when inhaled in large quantities over a short period.

Hundreds of people went to mobile health clinics in Deer Park provided by the county, reporting symptoms including dizziness, a rapid heart rate and headaches — even after the fire was extinguished after four days.

On March 31, two weeks after the fire began, TCEQ and EPA inspectors with handheld devices recorded elevated benzene concentrations drifting through neighborhoods and near an elementary school.

The public was told nothing about the spikes until the next morning.

“Failures like that cannot happen during times of environmental disasters,” Air Alliance Houston, a local environmental group, wrote to TCEQ when ITC applied to renew its operating permit. “Community members must have a full understanding of what pollutants are in the atmosphere and the effects they can have on them.”

Residents turn to community monitoring


In Galena Park, Juan Flores, 46, said two major life events galvanized him to become an activist: his father died of a heart attack after years of working at a petrochemical facility and suffering from respiratory problems, and his only daughter, Dominique Soleil Flores, was born with teratoma, a rare type of cancerous tumor located around one of her kidneys.

Dominique had to go through rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries to remove the tumor. Today, the 8-year-old is cancer free, but Flores still worries about his family’s health — and the effects of living near petrochemical plants.

Flores, wearing a black polo with a gold chain around his neck, said he doesn’t trust government agencies to protect people’s health. When he’s called TCEQ or the city about strong chemical smells outside, he said it takes hours or days for anyone to respond — and by then the smell is usually gone.

Ten years ago, he joined Air Alliance Houston as an organizer teaching local residents about air quality. He and other organizers decided to install a community air monitoring network after the ITC fire, frustrated that TCEQ had not made air monitoring information readily available and accessible to the public.


Houston air pollution monitoring


Houston air pollution


Flores and others asked homeowners, businesses, and churches in Galena Park if they could install monitors to measure particulate matter. The first was installed in 2020 and since then the group has installed nearly 30 in Galena Park, Channelview and other communities near the Ship Channel, spending about $300 on monitors that measure particulate matter and $11,000 on those that measure volatile organic compounds in the air, as well as nitrogen oxide and ozone.

Cloverleaf could be next.

“There's a big need in Cloverleaf to organize,” said Flores, who now works as the organization's community air monitoring program manager. “That community has been kind of neglected for years.”

The group posts the monitors’ data online using a color-coded system: green for good air quality, yellow for moderate — meaning it may be a concern for people with respiratory conditions — and red for very unhealthy.

“Education is the key,” Flores said. “They know there's a refinery there, but they don't know what it does. And they don't know what the health effects are.”

From April to December 2022, the organization's Galena Park air monitors recorded nitrogen dioxide levels more than 3,000 times above the EPA’s threshold for human safety. Nitrogen oxide can cause inflammation and damage to the respiratory system. The monitors also recorded ozone levels above the EPA’s ozone threshold more than 850 times.

“We definitely see red [high spikes] happening a lot,” said Anthony D’Souza, who works with Flores at Air Alliance Houston as a research and policy coordinator.

Flores leads residents and journalists on “toxic tours” in his pickup truck, driving through neighborhood streets where houses sit across a fence from towering refineries.

Last year, he led a tour where residents dressed up in their Halloween costumes and rode bikes through Galena Park and Jacinto City, visiting air monitors to learn about air pollution.

“[Air quality] is a hard subject,” Flores said. “When you talk to somebody about pollution, you're talking about ozone, you're talking about chemicals, people don't understand.”


Air pollution petrochemicals Houston


Fossil fuels texas

Flores said the air data they collect is empowering, validating the concerns of many in his community. For example, at permit hearings where TCEQ seeks public comment on a company’s permit application, they can provide the number of times the community monitors have recorded red alerts and whether those correlated with the days they’ve felt sick.

Before, Flores said, they could only talk about their headaches, dizziness or shortness of breath. Now they can back up what they’re saying with numbers — although TCEQ dismisses their data because it doesn’t come from the state’s air monitors.

“It’s such an interesting thing to actually see data and to see the numbers, because it was always our word against [TCEQ],” Flores said. “Then we built this new air monitoring network, now we have our proof.”

Reporting team 


Alejandra Martinez joined The Texas Tribune in the fall of 2022 as an environmental reporter. She’s covered the impacts of petrochemical facilities on Black and brown communities, including investigating a chemical fire at an industrial facility. Additionally, she has explored topics related to climate change, such as the health effects of extreme heat and how long periods of drought affect water resources in Texas. Alejandra was previously an accountability reporter at KERA, where she began as a Report for America corps member and then covered Dallas City Hall. Before that, she worked as an associate producer at WLRN, South Florida’s public radio station. Alejandra studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, and interned at KUT and NPR's Latino USA. She's a native of Houston and speaks fluent Spanish.

Wendy Selene Pérez is a freelance journalist with a two-decade career spanning various media outlets in Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. Her work focuses on social justice, victims of violence, government accountability, transparency, and immigration. Wendy’s articles have been featured in El País, Gatopardo, Proceso, The Baffler, Vice, and Al Día Dallas/The Dallas Morning News. She has held positions such as bureau chief of CNN Mexico, editor of Domingo magazine (El Universal), and multimedia editor of Clarin.com. Previously, she served as the chief multimedia editor of the newspaper Mural (Grupo Reforma). Wendy holds a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Diario Clarín-Universidad de San Andrés-Columbia University, with her thesis titled “La Tierra de las Fosas,” a data-driven journalistic investigation. She has been honored with the National Journalism Awards in Mexico (2019, 2022), the Walter Reuter German Journalism Award (2020), the Breach-Valdez Human Rights Award (2022, 2023), the Texas APME 2021 News Spanish-Language award, the ICFJ’s COVID-19 reporting story contest, and received an honorable mention in the Latin American Investigative Journalism Award (COLPIN, 2022).

Danielle Villasana is a photojournalist based in her hometown of Houston, Texas, focusing on human rights, gender, displacement, and health throughout the Americas. She’s the 2022 Alexia Grant Professional Winner, a National Geographic Explorer, Magnum Foundation awardee, Women Photograph grantee, IWMF fellow, and alumna of the Eddie Adams Workshop. With a strong belief in photography paired with education and community, she’s a co-founder of We, Women, and an Authority Collective board member, on The Everyday Projects’ Community Team, and a Photo Bill of Rights co-author. She’s also a member of Women Photograph, Diversify Photo, and Ayün Fotógrafas.

Go Nakamura began his photography journey as a wedding photographer in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2006. In 2009, he relocated to New York City and transitioned into news/documentary photography, freelancing with the New York Daily News in 2015. Since then, he has broadened his scope, freelancing for renowned outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Thomson Reuters, Getty Images, Bloomberg Business, Texas Tribune, and Houston Chronicle.

Focused on addressing pressing social issues, Go's work aims to harness the power of visual imagery for maximum impact. His photography has garnered international acclaim, including awards such as Pictures Of The Year International (POYi) and Best Of Photojournalism (BOP). In 2021, he was part of the Getty Images team named as finalists for Feature Photography at the Pulitzer Prize.

Greta Díaz González Vázquez is an international multimedia journalist with experience reporting in Mexico and the U.S. She tells bilingual narrative stories through audio, video and photography with a focus on gender violence, science and marginalized populations. Originally from central Mexico, Greta has worked in public radio and has freelanced for nonprofit newsrooms. Her work has been recognized with numerous national and state awards in her home country.

Jimmy Evans is a documentary filmmaker and journalist as well as a graduate of the University of Florida. His films highlighting environmental issues have been featured at film festivals nationwide and on outlets such as PBS. Jimmy is currently an assistant video editor at Environmental Health News and his work focuses on environmental health stories in the Houston, Texas area.


15 March 2024. Gulf Coast sees petrochemical surge, raising environmental and economic concerns

A new report highlights the rapid expansion of petrochemical facilities along the Gulf Coast, drawing billions in tax breaks despite pollution concerns.

Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • The Environmental Integrity Project found significant growth in plastics production facilities, with Texas leading in new developments and receiving substantial state tax abatements.
  • These facilities have repeatedly violated pollution permits, yet their financial incentives remain unscathed.
  • Public funds diverted to these corporations could have supported local education and public services, raising questions about the true cost of these investments.

Key quote:

"I think if companies can't obey the law they shouldn't be rewarded with taxpayer money,"

— Alexandra Shaykevich, Research Manager at the Environmental Integrity Project.

Why this matters:

A 2020 University of Texas study estimated that proposed petrochemical facilities could emit as much greenhouse gas as 131 coal-fired power plants by 2030, making up over 8% of U.S. emissions. Local residents face increased risks of exposure to air pollution, raising alarms among environmentalists and health advocates about the direction of energy infrastructure development and its implications for public health and safety

Communities of color are more likely to live at the fenceline of chemical facilities, increasing their exposure to fossil fuel and petrochemical pollution.

15 March 2024. UK's climate adaptation efforts deemed inadequate by experts

The UK's strategy for climate change adaptation significantly lacks the depth and urgency needed, as outlined by the Committee on Climate Change.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.


In short:

  • The Climate Change Committee criticizes the UK's National Adaptation Programme for failing to adequately prepare for extreme weather events.
  • Despite being an improvement, the current plan overlooks urgent actions and lacks integration with other priorities like net zero and nature restoration.
  • The report calls for immediate action to enhance government programs and criticizes the lack of funding and coordination for climate adaptation efforts.

Key quote:

"The evidence of the damage from climate change has never been clearer, but the UK’s current approach to adaptation is not working."

— Julia King, chair of the CCC Adaptation Subcommittee

Why this matters:

With the climate crisis escalating, the UK's inadequate adaptation efforts could pose a risk not just to infrastructure but also to health, food security, and economic stability. Unlike climate mitigation, which aims to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, adaptation strategies are focused on adjusting our ways of living to cope with the new realities brought about by climate change. This includes rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and shifting agricultural zones, among other impacts.

We must adapt to climate change. Can we do it in ways that solve other problems too?

15 March 2024. EPA prepares to distribute $20 billion for green projects in underserved areas

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to announce the nonprofit lenders that will distribute $20 billion for environmental projects, focusing on low-income communities.

Jean Chemnick reports for Politico.


In short:

  • The funding, part of President Joe Biden's 2022 climate law, includes $14 billion for the National Clean Investment Fund and $6 billion for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator.
  • The aim is to finance green energy and efficiency projects, with significant benefits directed towards disadvantaged communities.
  • Over 1,200 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) will play a crucial role in this initiative, focusing on community-driven and affordable housing projects.

Key quote:

"This program is really EPA’s attempt to inject green capital into the capillaries of our financial system in terms of all these smaller community lenders all across the country."

— Adam Kent, director of the Green Finance Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council

Why this matters:

Targeting underserved communities with green finance, this trend intends to address climate change and energy efficiency at a grassroots level, potentially transforming the landscape of community lending in the U.S. This approach indicates a shift toward community partnerships that emphasize sustainability and create opportunities for environmental change.

15 March 2024. California to factor health and environment in energy decisions

California aims to include health and environmental considerations, such as job creation and air quality, in future energy decisions to support meeting its zero-carbon electricity goal by 2045.

Emma Foehringer Merchant reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • The unanimous vote introduces a method to evaluate "non-energy benefits" like health and job creation in energy resource decisions.
  • This approach aims to favor clean energy projects, recognizing their broader social and environmental advantages.
  • Advocates argue this will correct the oversight of social costs in traditional energy cost-benefit analyses, promoting equity and sustainability.

Key quote:

“We can’t leave communities behind. We can’t overburden communities.”

— Roger Lin, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity

Why this matters:

This move by California Energy Commission reflects a growing recognition of the need to inject health and environmental considerations into energy policy with an emphasis on community well-being and sustainability. As energy development pushes into vulnerable communities, communities are pushing back.

15 March 2024. Utah's oil train project seeks Supreme Court intervention

A coalition in Utah has petitioned the Supreme Court to reconsider a court ruling that halted a railway project due to environmental concerns.

David O. Williams reports for Colorado Newsline.


In short:

  • Utah's Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is challenging a decision that blocked an oil train railway over environmental review concerns.
  • The coalition argues for a limited scope of environmental review, referring to a 2004 Supreme Court decision.
  • Legal opponents and environmental groups remain critical, emphasizing the project's violation of federal laws and its potential harm.

Key quote:

“This appeal is a last-ditch attempt to dodge environmental laws to facilitate a climate train wreck."

— Wendy Park, senior attorney, Center for Biological Diversity

Why this matters:

The safety of transporting oil by rail has been a pressing concern for communities along these routes. Accidents can lead to explosions and fires, posing immediate danger to residents and causing evacuations, property damage, and, in the worst cases, loss of life.

A half year after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, independent researchers said their work contradicted the government narrative that the area is safe.

15 March 2024. Lithium mining poses risks to Indigenous cultures and environments in Argentina

In the arid terrains of northern Argentina, Indigenous communities face a looming threat from lithium mining that jeopardizes their water sources, culture, and traditional way of life.

Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano, and Rodrigo Abd report for The Associated Press.


In short:

  • Indigenous communities in the "lithium triangle" of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia risk losing their cultural heritage and essential water sources to lithium mining.
  • As the global demand for lithium, crucial for green technologies, skyrockets, native people worry about the environmental and cultural costs.
  • Legal and environmental battles intensify as local governments and mining companies push for lithium extraction, overshadowing Indigenous rights and ecological concerns.

Key quote:

"We will lose everything. What will we do if we don’t have water? If the mines come, we’ll lose our culture, we won’t be left with anything."

— Irene Leonor Flores de Callata, resident of Tusaquillas

Why this matters:

Companies and the Argentine government tout the economic benefits of lithium mining, including job creation and a stake in the burgeoning renewable energy market. Yet the challenge remains to ensure that the rush for "white gold" does not lead to exploitation and environmental degradation.

In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means.

15 March 2024. New opportunities with the American Climate Corps launching soon

The Biden administration is set to open the American Climate Corps jobs board next month, offering a range of positions aimed at addressing climate change and environmental conservation.

Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder report for Grist.


In short:

  • The program, inspired by the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps, will initially offer hundreds of jobs, with plans to hire 20,000 young people in its first year.
  • Positions will cover various fields including energy efficiency, disaster response, recycling, and wildfire mitigation, with no experience required for most jobs.
  • Strong public support is seen for the program, with a majority of voters across political lines backing the initiative and many young people showing interest.

Key quote:

“There’s an incredible demand signal from young people who we see as being put on a pathway to good-paying careers.”

— Maggie Thomas, special assistant to the president for climate change

Why this matters:

This initiative is a cooperative effort involving multiple federal agencies, including AmeriCorps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Departments of Labor, Interior, Agriculture, and Energy. Its primary aim is to mobilize over 20,000 young Americans, equipping them with the skills needed for future careers in public service or the private sector focused on environmental conservation, clean energy, and climate resilience.

Not everyone is supportive of the American climate corps, even politicians who are typically pro-jobs.

15 March 2024. Europe's new palm oil rules stir debate over environmental protection and jobs

Europe's ban on deforestation-linked imports puts Malaysia and Indonesia's economic interests at risk.

Patricia Cohen reports for The New York Times.


In short:

  • The European Union mandates tracing for a wide array of products to combat deforestation, impacting 85% of the world's palm oil supply from Malaysia and Indonesia.
  • Developing countries view the regulation as an economic threat, with allegations of "regulatory imperialism" from Indonesia's economic minister.
  • Compliance challenges may disproportionately affect smallholders, further exacerbating environmental damage and poverty.

Key quote:

"We're not questioning the need to fight deforestation. But it's not fair when countries that have deforested their own land for centuries, or are responsible for much of our deforestation, can unilaterally impose conditions on us."

— Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysia’s environment minister

Why this matters:

The EU's deforestation law aims to protect forests and ecosystems and underscores the broader challenges of equitable climate action, especially for nations reliant on agricultural exports like palm oil.

Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans.

15 March 2024. Rising electricity needs test US climate ambitions

A surge in power demand poses challenge to U.S. climate goals, driven by data centers and EVs.

Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich report for The New York Times.

In short:

  • The U.S. sees an unexpected surge in electricity demand due to data centers, manufacturing growth, and electric vehicles, doubling utilities' forecasts for 2028.
  • This surge strains electric grids and could increase reliance on fossil fuels, potentially derailing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Utilities argue the need for more fossil fuel plants due to slow growth of renewable energy sources and the continuous power demand from new industries.

Key quote:

"I can’t recall the last time I was so alarmed about the country’s energy trajectory."

— Tyler H. Norris, a former solar developer and expert in power systems

Why this matters:

As America grapples with this surge in power use, the ripple effects could touch everyone— from increased energy bills to challenges in meeting climate commitments.

With solar leading the way, clean energy capacity growth is helping the planet avoid billions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

15 March 2024. Fuel emissions debate fuels Australia's climate conversation

In a country where the pickup truck is a symbol of the working class, Australia's move toward fuel emissions standards signifies a major policy shift, reflecting global environmental concerns.

Michael E. Miller reports for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • Australia's lack of fuel emissions standards has placed it alongside countries like Russia and Turkey, contributing to higher pollution levels from older, less efficient vehicles.
  • The proposed regulations aim to align Australia with international standards by 2028, allowing high-emitting vehicles but offsetting them with cleaner models or facing penalties.
  • Critics label the initiative as a "ute tax," predicting price hikes for cars, though the government and some think tanks argue the impact on prices will be minimal.

Key quote:

"It’s astounding that we haven’t done it until now. It’s the lowest of low-hanging fruit."

— Matt Grudnoff, economist at the Australia Institute

Why this matters:

Fuel emissions standards are essential for reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector, which is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. By enforcing stricter regulations, governments can compel automotive manufacturers to innovate and develop more fuel-efficient and less polluting vehicles, such as hybrids and fully electric cars.

A children's health expert, seeing our kids imperiled by fossil fuels and climate change, calls for a kids-first revamp of energy policies.

12 March 2024. Protesting oil and gas line development harms mental health and creates distrust in government: Study

PITTSBURGH — Engaging in public participation during permitting for oil and gas pipelines often harms mental health and creates distrust in government, according to a new study.


Numerous studies have examined physical health effects associated with living near oil and gas pipelines, but there’s little research on the mental health impacts associated with these projects.

The study, published in Energy Research & Social Science, was conducted through surveys and interviews with more than 1,000 people living near proposed natural gas pipelines in Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon and Pennsylvania. It documented a long list of mental health symptoms associated with living near pipeline routes, including anxiety, depression, Complex post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and suicidality.

“I live in Blacksburg, Virginia, which is one of the places the Mountain Valley Pipeline goes through,” Shannon Bell, a professor of sociology at Virginia Tech and lead author of the study, told Environmental Health News (EHN). “In conversations with community members who are affected by the pipeline, it became very clear there were some pretty significant traumas going on.”

By using screening tools to measure the severity of mental health symptoms, the researchers also determined that the more people engaged with public participation processes related to the pipelines, the worse their mental health impacts were.

“Having a pipeline built through your land is incredibly stressful for many people, but we were surprised to learn that the people who were the most engaged in public participation processes related to the pipeline had significantly greater mental health impacts than people who didn’t engage at all, regardless of whether the pipeline was actually being constructed through their land,” Bell said.

Karen Feridun, an activist who lives in eastern Pennsylvania, has fought two pipeline projects, the PennEast and Commonwealth pipelines, both of which were canceled following community resistance. She’s proud of those wins, but they were difficult for her and the community.

“The PennEast fight went on for seven years,” Feridun told EHN. “People were so dedicated. It was like they made fighting the pipeline their second full time job. Many people expressed how stressed this made them feel, the pain of seeing their property devalued and their beautiful community disrupted, and how unending it all was. It was a lot to endure.” stories like that.”


pipelines mental health

When the Commonwealth and PennEast pipelines were canceled, Feridun said, there was a lot of relief. “The state of everybody’s mental health improved to the extent that this was over and they could move on with their lives,” she said. However, many of the Pennsylvanians involved in those fights were soon faced with additional oil and gas-related projects in their communities, like fracking wells or related infrastructure, pulling many of them right back into fight mode.

“There’s this constant pressure and feeling of powerlessness that comes with not knowing what’s about to happen,” Feridun said. “For some people it just starts to feel like a never-ending nightmare.”

Bell’s study found that pipeline development and related public participation processes were associated with a long list of physical symptoms including insomnia, high blood pressure, heart problems, teeth grinding, headaches, tremors, irregular heartbeat, shingles, heart problems, chest pain, strokes and brain hemorrhages. At least one person said they were so physically sickened by the stress they felt about the pipeline and the public participation process that they had to move.

“The number of stress-activated health conditions people reported was quite staggering,” Bell said. “It was devastating to read some of the things people had gone through.”

Feridun shared a story about a community member who protested a FERC meeting and had a stroke afterwards. “The family’s feeling was that the pressure she was under contributed to her having a stroke at a very young age,” she said. “There were lots of stories like that.”

Performative public participation creates harm


Bell researched the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), passed in 1969, which heightened the public involvement requirements for federal agencies' decision-making on actions that could significantly affect the environment.

She found previous research that suggested NEPA’s public participation requirements are only intended to diffuse public outrage since government agencies don’t have standardized ways to incorporate public input into decision-making or permitting.

She also learned that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency responsible for regulating pipelines, approved 99% of eminent domain cases between 1999 and 2020, allowing pipelines to be built through privately owned land despite widespread public opposition to many of these projects.

"Many people expressed how stressed this made them feel, the pain of seeing their property devalued and their beautiful community disrupted, and how unending it all was. It was a lot to endure.” - Karen Feridun, an activist who lives in eastern Pennsylvania

Other researchers had highlighted the flaws in NEPA’s public participation requirements and FERC’s apparent bias against landowners, but no one had measured how participating in performative public participation processes impacts residents’ mental health.

Bell and colleagues found that people who participated in these processes felt their input was dismissed, that their concerns were not addressed and did not have any impact on decision-making about the pipelines.These feelings created disillusionment and distrust. The more people participated in public feedback processes, the stronger their feelings of disillusionment were.

“Many people talked about feeling betrayed by their government,” Bell said. “A number of our respondents stated that up until this point, they had believed government agencies existed to protect residents. But after spending tremendous amounts of time engaging in public input opportunities, many of our respondents came to believe that these government agencies were actually just there to facilitate the construction of pipelines.”


pipeline protest


pipeline protest


Feridun has seen this firsthand.

“In all my years fighting pipelines and fracking,” she said, “I’ve heard so many people say: ‘I thought the government was here to protect me,’ and it comes as this terrible blow to learn they’re actually representing someone else’s best interest, not yours.”

Bell’s research focused on natural gas pipelines, but she said these findings are relevant to any scenario where government agencies invite public participation during the permitting process for industrial projects. For example, permitting for fracking wells and petrochemical plants are often contentious and generally overseen by state regulatory agencies that may invite public input but also typically lack any ways to incorporate it into permitting decisions.

“People aren’t stupid — they realize when their comments aren’t making a bit of difference,” Bell said. “It’s incredibly disempowering when people spend hours and days writing public comments and attending public meetings, just to be ignored.”

“I don’t want to beat up on regulators because this is an institutional problem,” she added, “but wasting people's time and energy by asking for public input without providing a mechanism to act on most of their concerns not only brings substantial harm to these individuals' mental and physical health, but it also violates core aspects of environmental justice."

Feridun said that although she tells people joining pipeline fights that public participation is “just theater and a box regulators have to check,” there are important reasons to participate anyway.

The first is that pipeline route often travel through rural areas where impacted landowners feel isolated and alone in their discomfort about the pipeline, and joining with others who are in the same situation creates strong community bonds and fosters empowerment. During the PennEast fight, for example, municipalities all along the proposed pipeline route passed resolutions stating their opposition to the pipeline. Those could be ignored by FERC, but they made it clear in writing that many communities along the pipeline route were prepared to fight the project in court if needed.

The second reason Feridun encourages people to participate in the permitting process is that even if FERC won’t do anything with public comments, it’s critical to put them in the public record so that a judge can consider them in subsequent lawsuits, which can be a powerful tool in winning pipeline fights.

“That’s part of how we won against PennEast,” she said. “People put so many comments on that docket, they were relentless … and gave lots of ammunition to judges who might one day have to consider those lawsuits.”

No environmental justice without real public input


Under guidance from the Biden presidential administration, federal and state governmental agencies are working to improve environmental justice.

Many states, including Pennsylvania, are developing new environmental justice plans that include additional community input related to permitting for polluting industries, but Bell said few of these plans create ways for environmental justice communities to influence permitting decisions (though there are some indications that this is beginning to shift).

Traditionally, governmental environmental justice efforts in the U.S. tend to focus on “distributive justice” — ensuring equity in the allocation of burdens and benefits. But the principles of environmental justice also include recognition justice, which entails valuing the perspectives of historically marginalized groups; procedural justice, which involves providing these communities with equitable access and opportunities to influence decision-making; and reparative justice, which requires acknowledging past harms against these communities and working to repair them.

Environmental justice communities can’t achieve procedural justice or restorative justice until they’re actually empowered to decide whether new pipelines or polluting facilities should be built in their neighborhoods, according to Bell.

“Environmental justice is not possible if public participation is performative,” Bell said. “If we’re serious about environmental justice, there need to be consistent [ways] for public input to be incorporated into agencies' decision-making processes. It needs to be possible for public input to actually influence agency decisions."

24 January 2024. Amid LNG’s Gulf Coast expansion, community hopes to stand in its way

This 2-part series was co-produced by Environmental Health News and the journalism non-profit Economic Hardship Reporting Project. See part 1 here. Este ensayo también está disponible en español


CAMERON PARISH, La. — Late into the night, John Allaire watches the facility next to his home shoot 300-foot flares from stacks.

He lives within eyesight of southwest Louisiana’s salty shores, where, for decades, he’s witnessed nearly 200 feet of land between it and his property line disappear into the sea. Two-thirds of the land was rebuilt to aid the oil and gas industry’s LNG expansion. LNG — shorthand for liquified natural gas – is natural gas that's cooled to liquid form for easier storage or transport; it equates to 1/600th the volume of natural gas in a gaseous state. It’s used to generate electricity, or fuel stove tops and home heaters, and in industrial processes like manufacturing fertilizer.

In the U.S., at least 30 new LNG terminal facilities have been constructed or proposed since 2016, according to the Oil and Gas Watch project. Louisiana and Texas’ Gulf Coast, where five facilities are already operating, will host roughly two-thirds of the new LNG terminals – meaning at least 22 Gulf Coast LNG facilities are currently under construction, were recently approved to break ground or are under further regulatory review.

Although the U.S. didn’t ship LNG until 2016, when a freight tanker left, a few miles from where Cameron Parish’s LNG plants are today, last year the country became the global leader in LNG production and export volume, leapfrogging exporters like Qatar and Australia. The EIA’s most recent annual outlook estimated that between the current year and 2050, U.S. LNG exports will increase by 152%.

And it’s changed local economic estimates: last year, retired Louisiana State University professor Loren Scott’s economic forecast last year predicted an additional $36 billion in oil and gas industry spending will boost local employment by 7% over just two years.

Allaire, 68, watches how saltwater collects where rainwater once fed the area’s diminishing coastal wetlands. “We still come down here with the kids and set out the fishing rods. It's not as nice as it used to be,” he told Environmental Health News (EHN).


That intimacy with nature drew Allaire to the area when he purchased 311 acres in 1998. An environmental engineer and 30-year oil and gas industry veteran, he helped lead environmental assessments and manage clean-ups, and although retired, he still works part-time as an environmental consultant with major petroleum companies. With a lifetime of oil and gas industry expertise, he’s watched the industry's footprint spread across Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico’s fragile shores and beyond. Now that the footprints are at the edge of his backyard, Allaire is among a cohort of organizers, residents and fisher-folk in the region mobilizing to stop LNG facility construction. For him, the industry’s expansion usurps the right-or-wrong ethics he carried across his consulting career. For anglers, oil and gas infrastructure has destroyed fishing grounds and prevented smaller vessels from accessing the seafood-rich waters of the Calcasieu River.

From the view of Allaire’s white pickup truck as he drives across his property to the ocean’s shore, he points to where a new LNG facility will replace marshlands. Commonwealth LNG intends to clear the land of trees and then backfill the remaining low-lying field.

“You see what’s happening with the environment,” Allaire said. “When the facts change, I got to change my mind about what we’re doing.”

Community bands together 



During an Earth Day rally in April, community members gathered in the urban center of Lake Charles to demand local oil and gas industries help deliver a safer, healthier future for all. In between live acts by artists performing south Louisiana’s quintessential zydeco musical style, speakers like James Hiatt, a Calcasieu Parish native with ties to Cameron Parish and a Healthy Gulf organizer, and RISE St. James organizer Sharon Lavigne, who’s fighting against LNG development in rural Plaquemines Parish near the city of New Orleans, asked the nearly 100 in attendance to imagine a day in which the skyline isn’t dotted by oil and gas infrastructure.

Not long ago, it was hard to imagine an Earth Day rally in southwest Louisiana at all. For decades, the area has been decorated with fossil fuel infrastructure. Sunsets on some days are highlighted by the chemicals in the air; at night, thousands of facilities’ lights dot the dark sky.

“It takes a lot of balls for people to start speaking up,” Shreyas Vasudevan, a campaign researcher with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, told EHN in the days after the rally. In a region with its history and economy intertwined with oil and gas production, “you can get a lot of social criticism – or ostracization, as well – even threats to your life.”

Many are involved in local, regional and national advocacy groups, including the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Healthy Gulf, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Turtle Island Restoration Network, the Center for Biological Diversity and the National Audubon Society.

“You see what’s happening with the environment,” Allaire said. “When the facts change, I got to change my mind about what we’re doing.” - John Allaire, environmental engineer and 30-year oil and gas industry veteran

But environmental organizers are fighting a multi-billion-dollar industry with federal and state winds at its back. And LNG’s federal support is coupled with existing state initiatives.

Under outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards — a term-limited Democrat — the state pledged a goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. Natural gas, which the LNG industry markets as a cleaner-burning alternative, is cited as one of the state’s solutions. Louisiana is the only state that produces a majority of its carbon emissions through fossil fuels refining industries, like LNG, rather than energy production or transportation. Governor Edwards’ office did not return EHN’s request for comment.

This accommodating attitude towards oil and gas industries has resulted in a workforce that’s trained to work in LNG refining facilities across much of the rural Gulf region, said Steven Miles, a lawyer at Baker Botts LLP and a fellow at the Baker Institute’s Center on Energy Studies. Simultaneously, anti-industrialization pushback is lacking. It’s good news for industries like LNG.

“The bad news,” Miles added. “[LNG facilities] are all being jammed in the same areas.”

One rallying cry for opponents is local health. The Environmental Integrity Project found that LNG export terminals emit chemicals like carbon monoxide –potentially deadly– and sulfur dioxide, of which the American Lung Association says long-term exposure can lead to heart disease, cancer, and damage to internal or female reproductive organs.

An analysis of emissions monitoring reports by the advocacy group the Louisiana Bucket Brigade found that Venture Global’s existing Calcasieu Pass facility had more than 2,000 permit violations.That includes exceeding the permit’s authorized air emissions limit to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds 286 out of its first 343 days of operation.


LNG Gulf Coast

Rather than amend its infrastructure to meet regulatory standards, Venture Global is asking the state to raise its facility’s air emissions permit limits to release an additional 833% of greenhouses gasses each year, according to the Louisiana Bucket Brigade’s January report. If approved, permitted emissions would rise to roughly 4.65 million tons, making the facility the state’s fifth-largest emitter), according to a 2021 statewide greenhouse data inventory compiled by Louisiana State University’s Center for Energy Studies.

“This is just one facility,” at a time when three more facilities have been proposed in the region and state, Vasudevan said. Venture Global’s operational LNG facility — also known as Calcasieu Pass — “is much smaller than the other facility they’ve proposed.”

In an area that experienced 18 feet of storm surge during Hurricane Laura in 2020 — and just weeks later, struck by Hurricane Delta — Venture Global is planning to build a second export terminal Known as “CP2,” it’s the largest of the roughly two dozen proposed Gulf LNG export terminals, and a key focal point for the region’s local organizing effort.

Residents “don’t really want LNG as much as they want Cameron [Parish] from 1990 back,” Hiatt told EHN of locals’ nostalgia for a community before storms like Rita in 2005 brought up to 15 feet of storm surge, only for Laura to repeat the damage in 2020. Throughout that time, the parish’s population dipped from roughly 10,000 to 5,000. “But the wolf knocking at the door is LNG. Folks in Cameron think that's going to bring back community, bring back the schools, bring back this time before we had all these storms — when Cameron was pretty prosperous.”

“Clearly,” for the oil and gas industry, “the idea is to transform what was once the center of commercial fishing in Louisiana to gas exports,” Cindy Robertson, an environmental activist in southwest Louisiana, told EHN.

Helping fishers’ impacted by LNG is about “actual survival of this unique culture,” Cooke said.

In a measure of organizers’ success, she pointed to a recent permit hearing for Venture Global’s CP2 proposal. Regionally, it’s the only project that’s received an environmental permit, but not its export permit, which remains under federal review. At the meeting, some spoke on the company’s behalf. As an organizer, it was a moment of clarity, Cooke explained. Venture Global officials “had obviously done a lot of coaching and organizing and getting people together in Cameron to speak out on their behalf,” Cooke said. “So, in a way, that was bad. But in another way, it shows that we really had an impact.”

“It also shows that we have a lot to do,” Cooke added.

Environmental organizers like Alyssa Portaro describe a sense of fortitude among activists — she and her husband to the region’s nearby town of Vinton near the Texas-Louisiana border. Since the families’ relocation to their farm, Portaro has worked with Cameron Parish fisher-folk.

“I’ve not witnessed ‘community’ anywhere like there is in Louisiana,” Portaro told EHN. But a New Jersey native, she understands the toll environmental pollution has on low-income communities. “This environment, it’s so at risk — and it’s currently getting sacrificed to big industries.”

“People don’t know what we’d do without oil and gas. It comes at a big price,” she added.


LNG Gulf Coast


environmental Louisiana


LNG Louisiana

A disappearing parish 


The stakes are seemingly higher for a region like southwest Louisiana, which is the epicenter of climate change impacts.

In nearly a century, the state has lost roughly 2,000 square miles of land to coastal erosion. In part driving the state’s erosion crisis is the compounding impacts of Mississippi River infrastructure and oil and gas industry activity, such as dredging canals for shipping purposes, according to a March study published in the journal Nature Sustainability. Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority said Cameron Parish could lose more land than other coastal parishes over the next 50 years. A recent Climate Central report says the parish will be underwater within that time frame.

On top of erosion and sea level rise impacts, in August, 2023, marshland across southwest Louisiana’s Cameron Parish burned. The fires were among at least 600 across the Bayou State this year. Statewide, roughly 60,000 acres burned — a more than six-fold increase of the state’s average acres burned per year in the past decade alone.

But while the blaze avoided coastal Louisiana communities like Cameron Parish, the fires represented a warning coming from a growing chorus of locals across the region — one that’s echoes by the local commercial fishing population, who claimed to have experienced unusually low yields during the same time, according to a statement from a local environmental group. At the site of the Cameron Parish fires are locations for two proposed LNG expansion projects.

"The idea is to transform what was once the center of commercial fishing in Louisiana to gas exports.” - Cindy Robertson, an environmental activist in southwest Louisiana

It was an unusual occurrence for an area that’s more often itself underwater this time of year due to a storm surge from powerful storms. For LNG expansion’s local opposition, it was a red flag.

As the Louisiana Bucket Brigade has noted prior, the confluence of climate change’s raising of sea levels and the construction of LNG export terminals — some are proposed at the size of nearly 700 football fields — are wiping away the marshland folks like Allaire watched wither. Among their fears is that the future facilities won’t be able to withstand the power of another storm like Laura and its storm surge, which wiped away entire communities in 2020.


Amidst these regional climate impacts, LNG infrastructure has shown potential to exacerbate the accumulation of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. For the most part, LNG is made up of methane — a greenhouse gas that’s more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Among the 22 current LNG facility proposals, the advocacy group Sierra Club described a combined climate pollution output that would roughly equal to that of about 440 coal plants.

The climate impacts prompt some of the LNG industry’s uncertainty going forward. It isn’t clear if Asian countries, key importers of U.S. LNG, will “embrace these energy transition issues,” said David Dismuke, an energy consultant and the former executive director of Louisiana State University’s Center for Energy Studies. Likewise, European nations remain skeptical of embracing LNG as a future staple fuel source.

“They really don't want to have to pull the trigger,” Dismukes added, referring to Europe’s hesitation to commit more resources to exporting LNG from the American market. “They don't want to go down that road.”

While there will be a tapering down of natural gas supply, Miles explained, “we’re going to need natural gas for a long time,” as larger battery storage for renewables is still unavailable.

“I'm not one of these futurists that can tell you where we're going to be, but I just don't see everything being extreme,” Dismukes said. “I don't see what we've already built getting stranded and going away, either.”

For now, LNG seems here to stay. From 2012 to 2022,U.S. natural gas demand — the sum of both domestic consumption and gross exports — rose by a whopping 43%, reported the U.S. Energy Information Administration, or EIA. Meanwhile, in oil and gas hotbeds like Louisiana and Texas, natural gas demand grew by 116%.

Throughout 25 years, Allaire has witnessed southwest Louisiana’s land slowly fade, in part driven by the same industrial spread regionally. Near where the front door of his travel trailer sits underneath the aluminum awning, he points to a chenier ridge located near the end of the property. It’s disappearing, he said.

“See the sand washing over, in here?” Allaire says, as he points towards the stretches of his property. “This pond used to go down for a half mile. This is all that's left of it on this side.”

Read Part 1: LNG production comes with a price, Gulf Coast communities warn

Some funding for this reporting was also provided by the Wake Forest University Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative.