Environment

Neighbors Say No to Proposed West Dallas Concrete Batch Plant

Neighbors Say No to Proposed West Dallas Concrete Batch Plant

The Trinity River is Reclaiming Lemmon Lake

The Trinity River is Reclaiming Lemmon Lake

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Ethics Complaint Says Tennell Atkins Wasted $20,000 on Grass for Rec Center

By Jacob Vaughn
Sep 13, 2021

In an anonymously filed ethics complaint, Council member Tennell Atkins, a project manager and a program manager are accused of wasting $20,000 of city property and resources on the Singing Hills Recreation Center.
Fighting the Marvin Nichols Reservoir Could Take Lifetimes

By Jacob Vaughn
Aug 10, 2021

The fight against the Marvin Nichols Reservoir is one Northeast Texas residents have had to instill in their kids. It's been going on for decades and shows no signs of stopping.
In Dallas' Floral Farms, Residents Feel Under Attack

By Jacob Vaughn
Aug 2, 2021

Recent complaints by residents were an attempt to clean up Floral Farms. But, after code compliance swept the area, residents received complaints directed at their properties for things like incorrect placement of trash bins.
Something to Carp About: Plano Fisherman Finds Invasive Fish in Texas Waters

By Jacob Vaughn
Jul 21, 2021

These fish are massive. Silver carp can reach approximately 3 feet in length and can weigh nearly 60 pounds. Bighead carp can be up to 4 and a half feet long and weigh nearly 90 pounds. Now, they're in Texas waters.
Despite Local Pushback, DFW Wants to Move Forward with the Marvin Nichols Reservoir

By Jacob Vaughn
Jul 2, 2021

The project is planned for the main stem of the Sulphur River in Red River and Titus counties and would have significant negative effects on the local economy. On the flip side, DFW would have another water source to prevent its potentially dry future.
Dallas Bought One of the Shingle Mountain Properties. The Second's Fate Is Still Unclear.

By Jacob Vaughn
Jun 11, 2021

Residents hope the land will be home to a new park in the neighborhood.
Louie Gohmert Asks Whether Man Could Change Orbits of Earth, Moon to Fight Climate Change

By Simone Carter
Jun 10, 2021

This week, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert asked whether land agencies can change the orbit of the Earth or moon to fix climate change.
Will Biden's American Rescue Plan Bring Water to Unserved Areas of Dallas?

By Jacob Vaughn
May 20, 2021

City staff have recommended the council approve $35 million from the American Rescue Plan to go toward the unserved areas program.
How the Lincoln Katy Trail Project Could Upend Life for a Blind Resident

By Jacob Vaughn
May 4, 2021

For about the last five years, Brittany King has been fighting to preserve her way of life, threatened by a development that was up for a final City Council vote last week.
No, Gov. Abbott: Biden Isn’t Banning Burgers

By Simone Carter
Apr 28, 2021

Many prominent Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, bought into the lie that President Joe Biden is banning burgers.
In Dallas' Joppa, Environmental Health Project Raises Questions of Inclusion

By Jacob Vaughn
Apr 27, 2021

At the time it was announced, Adam Bazaldua, Joppa’s city council member, applauded Downwinders and Joppa resident Temeckia Durrough for helping make the project happen. Now, Durrough said she feels she and another community member are being excluded from the project.
What's the Dallas City Council's Record on Environmental Work?

By Jacob Vaughn
Apr 19, 2021

Some say the current City Council is the greenest Dallas has ever seen.
Dallas Environmental Groups Worry as Texas Lawmakers Target Local Control

By Jacob Vaughn
Apr 16, 2021

Several bills look to make it harder for cities to implement their climate plans. But it’s not all doom, gloom and smoke plumes at the capital this legislative session.
Environmental Group: No Incumbent City Council Member Deserves Endorsement

By Jacob Vaughn
Apr 5, 2021

When history called, current elected officials and city staff didn’t even pick up the phone to say they’d call back, Downwinders contends. They just left it ringing and never checked their voicemail.
These Are the Biggest Polluters in Dallas-Fort Worth

By Jacob Vaughn
Apr 3, 2021

Paul Quinn College’s Urban Research Initiative made that data a lot easier to read and a lot more accessible with a tool mapping out polluters in North Texas counties.
More Pollution Is Headed for Midlothian, the 'Cement Capital of Texas'

By Jacob Vaughn
Apr 1, 2021

There are three cement plants – Ash Grove, Holcim and Texas Industries (TXI) – in Midlothian, often called the “Cement Capital of Texas.” Now, Holcim will be able to produce more pollution in the area.
Katy Trail High Rise Up For City Council Vote Again Despite Neighborhood Opposition

By Jacob Vaughn
Mar 29, 2021

Oak Lawn community members said Lincoln Property Company didn't care about their concerns about a project being proposed in their neighborhood.
'Very Frustrating': Floral Farms Tries To Fend Off More Undesired Development

By Jacob Vaughn
Mar 24, 2021

Jonathan Soukup, a Dallas resident, says a proposed site for the placement of “earth materials” is threatening his family’s business.
In West Dallas, Locals Want to Get Rid of an Asphalt Shingle Plant

By Jacob Vaughn
Mar 9, 2021

West Dallasites are taking the opportunity to finally share their concerns about one plant's pollution.
ERCOT: A Policy Failure Through Lack of Imagination

By Blake Jones
Mar 8, 2021

A lack of imagination caused the ERCOT grid failure. No one imagined a weeklong extreme cold spell, despite Hollywood blockbusters imagining extreme weather events and much, much worse. Neither the regulators nor the risk managers across the bulk power system thought much about the 200-page report issued in 2011 that...

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