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Environment
Austin area has dangerously high levels of air pollution, according to new EPA standards
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced long-awaited updates to air quality standards for fine particulate matter, also known as “soot,” pollution. The new, tighter limits mean some places that previously had acceptable levels of pollution are no longer meeting health…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Feb 20, 2024
Waller Creek improvements, art projects marching forward
In November 2012, Austin voters approved $13 million in bonds for the redevelopment of Waller Creek. Over the years, the project – now called the Waterloo Greenway project – has grown to encompass a long series of parks, construction of…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Feb 15, 2024
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar files bill to connect Texas grid to rest of the country
Of the numerous vulnerabilities exposed by the deadly 2021 Texas blackouts, one caught people’s attention more than the rest: Texas exists as an energy island. Unlike any other power grid in the continental U.S., the energy system that serves 90 percent of…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Feb 14, 2024
Austin receives $1M from EPA for plans to combat pollution
The city has received a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that will fund climate action plans for Central Texas. The grant was announced Monday morning at City Hall, where members of City Council and federal lawmakers gathered…
Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 13, 2024
Commissioners seek parking study, Polo Field restoration
Two parking items cleared the Environmental Commission last week, a notable achievement considering that certain parking issues tend to devolve into prolonged debates. At its Feb. 7 meeting, commissioners considered two proposals within the framework of City Council’s elimination of…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Feb 12, 2024
Water reuse plan coming back to Council next month
In March, City Council is scheduled to consider making on-site water reuse mandatory for a majority of large future projects as part of the city’s Water Forward plan. Council postponed consideration of the reclaimed water reuse rule last November after…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Feb 9, 2024
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Push for low-carbon concrete taking longer to solidify than anticipated
The city of Austin is following up on its promise to transition to low-carbon concrete, though it says the plan will take several years to settle into place. Staff from the Office of the City Engineer joined the Joint Sustainability…
Environment • By Kali Bramble • Feb 6, 2024
Concert venue planned near Edwards Aquifer spurs neighbors to prepare for legal fight
Residents in Hays County and a southwestern portion of Travis County hope the possibility of a civil case against a California development company will stop plans to construct a 5,000-seat concert venue on a two-lane country road near Dripping Springs.…
Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 1, 2024
Critics say Austin Energy's proposal to pivot toward hydrogen could do more harm than good
As Austin Energy drafts an update to its Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, industry watchdogs are doing their homework, investigating a controversial proposal to construct a brand-new gas plant designed to burn carbon-neutral green hydrogen. Among those asking questions…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Feb 1, 2024
Austin Energy, advisory group move toward presenting plans to Council
Austin Energy has seemed to be at odds with environmentalists over its updated power generation plan. And it is likely that the working group tasked with helping the utility come up with a new plan for fueling Austin’s electricity needs…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jan 31, 2024
Money for city parks, facilities dwindling
James Snow, director of Capital Delivery Services for the city, on Wednesday gave the City Council Audit and Finance Committee a detailed view of how money has been spent from bonds approved by voters in 2006, 2012 and 2018, with…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Jan 26, 2024
Watershed Protection Department releases 2023 annual report
Last week, the city’s Watershed Protection Department released its 2023 annual report. The report breaks down the department’s work to manage the city’s creeks, drainage systems and water quality programs. Regarding building and maintaining drainage infrastructure, the department completed eight…
