Weekly Clips

 

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The Texas House Wants Voters to Approve Billions to Save the State’s Water Supply

Texas water supply faces several threats, including a growing population, climate change and leaking infrastructure. Texas does not have enough water to meet demand in the case of a historic drought, according to state data. The situation will become dire if the hundreds of projects detailed in the state water plan are not completed.

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American Independence Starts with Smarter Energy and Chemical Policy

American success relies on American chemistry, which is why we are calling on the Trump administration and policymakers on both sides of the aisle to make targeted improvements to TSCA. EPA has taken some positive steps, but more substantial and permanent changes are needed, including a public “shot clock” for new chemical reviews. This countdown should include enforcement mechanisms to help keep EPA accountable for making timely approvals and providing greater transparency. Getting TSCA on track will help support the investment and R&D our country needs to stay ahead.

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Dallas Sues National Companies for Damages from ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Water

The city of Dallas is suing 3M, DuPont and other chemical companies, alleging they contaminated some of the area’s drinking water. The lawsuit alleges 3M and other companies manufactured and sold PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals.” PFAS are known to be toxic, extremely persistent in the environment and capable of causing significant health risks.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Raises Doubts Over Safe Application of Forever Chemicals in Texas

Kennedy was joined by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins during a visit to Sawyer Farms outside Hillsboro, where the focus was officially on food safety. But during the conversation, WFAA's Rebecca Lopez asked about the crisis unfolding just an hour north in Johnson County—an issue WFAA has been investigating for months.

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EPA and Texas Railroad Commission Sign Memorandum of Agreement on Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide

At a ceremony in Austin, officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Railroad Commission signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) outlining the state’s plans for administering programs related to carbon storage wells, known as Class VI wells. The MOA signing is a required step in the Texas Railroad Commission’s (RRC) application to be granted authority to permit Class VI wells in the state of Texas. EPA is currently preparing a proposed approval of RRC’s primacy application.

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Houston Metro Could Need 50% More Electricity by 2031 at Peak Times, Says CenterPoint

Greater Houston is growing. So is its voracious appetite for electricity. In fact, CenterPoint Energy’s Houston-area customers could require 50% more electricity during peak usage times by 2031, company executives told investors Tuesday. That’s like adding two San Antonio metros to the Houston region.

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Kennedy Eyes Tougher Packaging Rules, Spotlight on Microplastics

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he's considering major changes in how food packaging is regulated, and he wants more focus on human health risks from microplastics and chemicals used in polymers.

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US Health Secretary Pledges ‘Dramatic’ Change to Food Chemical Regulations

Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has promised "revolutionary change" to how the US ensures the safety of chemicals in food, outlining six initiatives the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to pursue to ‘make America healthy again’ (MAHA).

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TSCA 10-Year Review Offers Chance for Industry-Sought Reform

Chemical manufacturers have the opportunity to help reform the Toxic Substances Control Act during the law’s 10-year review next year, panelists said at the GlobalChem conference earlier this month.

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Court Blocks Trump’s Bid to Remand EPA’s Chemical Review Plan

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit's Wednesday order is a temporary win for the administration, which asked the court to ditch the embattled Biden-era framework rule while it drafts a new approach. The split three-judge panel gave EPA until July 29 to figure out its next steps.

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Alphabet and Dow Are Building an AI Database to Sort Complex Plastics

The joint project is one of several ventures pitching AI-powered identification systems as essential for boosting plastics recycling rates.

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Companies Seek Definition of ‘Responsible' Chemical Recycling

A group of plastics companies and consumer goods makers are developing responsible production standards for chemical recycling, hoping to address public questions about the environmental and social impacts of the technology.

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Plastics Firms Say Lack of Clarity Could Put a Chill on Chemical Recycling

The plastics industry considers chemical recycling a key technology for boosting low recycling rates, but some companies are warning that unfavorable government regulations risk "chilling" investments.

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ExxonMobil, Calpine Sign CO2 Transportation and Storage Agreement

ExxonMobil Corporation announced an agreement with Calpine Corporation, a producer of electricity from natural gas, to transport and permanently store up to 2 million metric tons per annum (MTA) of CO2 from Calpine’s Baytown Energy Center, a cogeneration facility near Houston.

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Chemical Maker Lyondellbasell Misses Quarterly Profit Estimates on Weak Volumes

LyondellBasell on Friday missed Wall Street expectations for quarterly profit, due to maintenance downtime and lower volumes in its largest segment supplying raw materials to the automotive, construction and electronics industries.

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Dow Delays Some Projects, Considers Cuts to Improve Financial Outlook

Materials giant Dow Inc. is taking some major steps to improve the firm's financial performance. In an April 24 earnings release, officials with Dow in Midland, Mich., said the firm was delaying construction of a major petrochemicals project in Canada and expanding its review of its European assets, primarily in polyurethanes.

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