An Associated Press article published this afternoon and already being picked up by many news outlets cites a Texas A&M study of air quality monitors in the most heavily industrialized parts of Houston. The A&M study reportedly shows that air pollution has surged 62% in the three weeks since the EPA announced that it would relax enforcement of pollution regulations due to the corona virus.
The EPA claims its new stance represents a reasonable response to the virus crisis. Many plants, they say, have been crippled by worker absences.
I have no problem with that. I’m sure the virus has affected law enforcement agencies around the country.
I do have one problem, however: the publicannouncement that you will stop enforcing the law.
Can you imagine, for instance, what would happen if:
Houston Police Department announced it would pull all officers out of Kingwood?
The SEC announced it would no longer prosecute insider trading during the virus crisis?
The Defense Department signaled that it would not retaliate against foreign aggression?
While I do believe that the vast majority of people and companies would continue obeying the law, I also believe that some will take advantage of the lack of enforcement. The public announcement gave a green light to people in the latter category.
A 62% increase in three weeks sounds like a big jump.
Had the EPA used its enforcement discretion to quietly relax prosecution of businesses hampered by the virus, it could have shown compassion and reasonableness without harming the regulated community. However, the public announcement of the relaxed policy may have harmed residents living near pollution sources. The AP article cites many examples.
I wonder how the announcement impacted San Jacinto River sand mines and water quality. EPA enforcement in this area has never been aggressive in my opinion.
Confluence of Spring Creek and West Fork showing pollution coming off West Fork at Montgomery County Line. 20 square miles of sand mines lie upstream on the West Fork.Photo taken March 6.
When someone writes the history of this EPA enforcement controversy, the key question will be “Why the public announcement?”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200306-RJR_9506.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-04-19 15:00:552020-04-19 15:20:33AP Article Cites Texas A&M Study Showing Pollution Surged 62% Since EPA Enforcement Rollback
As of 3PM on 4/19/2020 the tornado watch was extended until 10PM: A tornado watch is in effect for all of SE Texas. Thunderstorms have begun to develop over SE TX, especially along and near I-10. Air mass is becoming increasingly unstable. The approach of an upper level system from the west and a Pacific cool front along with veering wind profiles will support the formation of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.
Radar Updated at 3:20
Hazards
Storms may become severe with the following hazards:
Isolated tornados (mainly N of I-10)
Large hail (a few hail report could exceed 2.5 inches in diameter)
Damaging winds (60mph or greater)
While the tornado watch includes the entire area, the greatest threat will be generally along and N of US 59 to the west of Houston and then along and N of I-10 east of Houston.
For Your Protection
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground lightning.
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure.
Stay away from windows.
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020 at 9:30amand updated with new radar at 3pm.
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Attachment-1.png?fit=2436%2C1179&ssl=111792436adminadmin2020-04-19 09:41:302020-04-19 15:27:40Tornado Watch for All Southeast Texas Until 3 P.M.
City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced today that Houston Public Works will repair the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge beginning Monday, April 27. The project should last through Wednesday, May 20th if weather cooperates. During that time, bridge traffic will narrow to two lanes.
West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge connecting Atascocita and Kingwood will narrow to two lanes for repairs from 4/27 to 5/20.Looking north toward Kings Harbor. Photo taken January 20.
Bearing Pads Being Replaced
The City will replace 14 bearing pads at a cost of $307,400. The City’s Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund will pay for the project. The contractor for the project is ISI Contracting, Inc.
On Monday, April 27, work will begin at 7:00 a.m. by closing of the northbound lanes of the bridge. The City will convert southbound lanes to two-way traffic. The contractor will work Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.West Lake Houston Bridge Final Repairs Scheduled
Pedestrian Sidewalks Closed
The City will also barricade pedestrian sidewalks for safety.
Look out for flagmen and orange traffic cones assisting with traffic flow.
All lanes of the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge and pedestrian sidewalks will reopen on Wednesday, May 20, weather permitting.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at districte@houstontx.gov.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/17/2020 based on information from COH District E
962 Days After Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200120-RJR_6930.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-04-17 16:34:182020-04-17 16:34:29West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge Repairs Scheduled April 27 to May 20
AP Article Cites Texas A&M Study Showing Pollution Surged 62% Since EPA Enforcement Rollback
An Associated Press article published this afternoon and already being picked up by many news outlets cites a Texas A&M study of air quality monitors in the most heavily industrialized parts of Houston. The A&M study reportedly shows that air pollution has surged 62% in the three weeks since the EPA announced that it would relax enforcement of pollution regulations due to the corona virus.
The new enforcement standard, announced March 26th, also affects water pollution which I reported on April 1.
The EPA claims its new stance represents a reasonable response to the virus crisis. Many plants, they say, have been crippled by worker absences.
I have no problem with that. I’m sure the virus has affected law enforcement agencies around the country.
Can you imagine, for instance, what would happen if:
While I do believe that the vast majority of people and companies would continue obeying the law, I also believe that some will take advantage of the lack of enforcement. The public announcement gave a green light to people in the latter category.
Had the EPA used its enforcement discretion to quietly relax prosecution of businesses hampered by the virus, it could have shown compassion and reasonableness without harming the regulated community. However, the public announcement of the relaxed policy may have harmed residents living near pollution sources. The AP article cites many examples.
I wonder how the announcement impacted San Jacinto River sand mines and water quality. EPA enforcement in this area has never been aggressive in my opinion.
When someone writes the history of this EPA enforcement controversy, the key question will be “Why the public announcement?”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Tornado Watch for All Southeast Texas Until 3 P.M.
Tornado Watch Extended Until 10PM
As of 3PM on 4/19/2020 the tornado watch was extended until 10PM: A tornado watch is in effect for all of SE Texas. Thunderstorms have begun to develop over SE TX, especially along and near I-10. Air mass is becoming increasingly unstable. The approach of an upper level system from the west and a Pacific cool front along with veering wind profiles will support the formation of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.
Hazards
Storms may become severe with the following hazards:
For Your Protection
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020 at 9:30am and updated with new radar at 3pm.
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge Repairs Scheduled April 27 to May 20
City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced today that Houston Public Works will repair the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge beginning Monday, April 27. The project should last through Wednesday, May 20th if weather cooperates. During that time, bridge traffic will narrow to two lanes.
Bearing Pads Being Replaced
The City will replace 14 bearing pads at a cost of $307,400. The City’s Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund will pay for the project. The contractor for the project is ISI Contracting, Inc.
On Monday, April 27, work will begin at 7:00 a.m. by closing of the northbound lanes of the bridge. The City will convert southbound lanes to two-way traffic. The contractor will work Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.West Lake Houston Bridge Final Repairs Scheduled
Pedestrian Sidewalks Closed
The City will also barricade pedestrian sidewalks for safety.
Look out for flagmen and orange traffic cones assisting with traffic flow.
All lanes of the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge and pedestrian sidewalks will reopen on Wednesday, May 20, weather permitting.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at districte@houstontx.gov.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/17/2020 based on information from COH District E
962 Days After Hurricane Harvey