Environment Texas

Texas’ rivers, lakes and swimming holes offer a welcome escape from the summer heat, but f***l bacteria too often puts people’s health at risk. According to a new Environment Texas Research and Policy Center report, the water at 53% of monitored locations had potentially unsafe levels of f***l contamination on at least one-quarter of the days on which testing took place in Texas.

Common sources of f***l indicator bacteria such as E. coli in waterways include sewage spills and overflows, stormwater runoff, and failing septic systems. Each year, Americans suffer an estimated 87 million cases of illness associated with swimming, paddling, boating or fishing in U.S. waterways.

Communities across Texas can dramatically reduce sewage overflows and other sources of f***l bacteria, but fixing aging wastewater infrastructure requires substantial investment. Texas 2036 estimates that the state will need $21.1 billion over the next 50 years to repair and upgrade wastewater infrastructure.

Thanks to Brian Zabcik of Save Texas Streams and fishing guide Captain Alvin Dedeaux for joining us alongside Lady Bird Lake this week to release the report.

Plastics factories dump or spill millions of pellets into Texas waterways each year, threatening wildlife and public health. And the companies dumping these hazardous materials into our waterways face few to no penalties.

Every plastic pellet that has entered our environment is still out there today. There is no time to waste. Tell the governor: Something must be done to address these “solid oil spills.” Help us get the word out - if you can put up some of these posters, DM us your address and we’ll mail you a batch.

Thank you Rep. Craig Goldman, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher & Ronny Jackson for cosponsoring the America the Beautiful Act. This bipartisan bill will fund projects in places like Big Thicket National Preserve and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Thank you Congressman Nathaniel Moran, Congressman Troy Nehls, Congressman Joaquin Castro & Congressman Marc Veasey for cosponsoring the America the Beautiful Act. This bipartisan bill will fund projects in places like Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Thank you Congressman August Pfluger & Rep. Monica De La Cruz for cosponsoring the America the Beautiful Act. This bipartisan bill will fund projects in places like Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

On July 21, Solar energy set a new record in ERCOT - 34,655 megawatts. That’s the most solar power ever generated on our grid at one time, enough to power nearly 7 million homes in Texas with clean energy from the sun. Texas ranks first in the nation for large solar farms and every megawatt of solar means cleaner air for Texas families, less climate pollution and no water used to generate electricity. 😎

NRG Stadium has over 600 solar panels, which produce 180 kW of annual power and power EV charging stations. The World Cup Host Committee also announced that it will run all seven of Houston’s FIFA World Cup games with 100% renewable electricity. NRG Stadium has extensive waste diversion and collection bins to help people dispose of compostable waste properly.

AT&T Stadium recently achieved LEED Gold status leading up to the FIFA World Cup. Though the stadium doesn’t have on-site solar panels, other technologies such as LED lighting and water conservation measures help them earn their rating.

Which World Cup stadiums are most environmentally sustainable? These 10 U.S. stadiums set the standard for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

We were out talking to Texans about oil and gas pollution last week.

Clean air is a right, not a luxury. Everyday Texans, doctors, students, and neighbors are showing up to say enough is enough. Methane pollution from oil and gas sites is making our air worse and our families sicker, and it doesn’t have to be this way.