Environmental Racism

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Since the beginning of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, the word “Environmental Racism” has been floating around. The term was first coined in 1982 by Benjamin Chavis, a civil rights leader who assisted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Warren County in North Carolina at one point was essentially used as a trash can for PCB waste, thus the birth of word. By definition, Environmental racism is “the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color. ” It can be done through radical policy. Governmental methods such as redlining and color blind adaptation planning, lead to a lack of political representation/support for communities.

Specific cases

New Orleans, Louisiana: A majority of black Americans living in New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina resided in lower-lying areas that were vulnerable to flooding, due to the racial segregation of neighborhoods. Evacuation strategies during hurricane Katrina favored  those who owned cars, however a large portion(100,000) of minorities living in New Orleans relied on public transit. This outcome lead to several of the deaths at the time.

Wilmington, North Carolina: NC is home of several coal ash pits that carry up to 111 million tons of waste generated by coal plants. Large lagoons that are filled swine and poultry are located in beach front districts that are predominantly African-American. One case study concluded that these “hog farm” dump areas were effecting the livelihood of individuals drastically. 

Hog farm in North Carolina

South Lawndale, Chicago:  Coal plants create similar problems in Chicago according to a report. 

Latino communities like South Lawndale( Little Village) primarily have working-class citizens. The need for environmental protection is dire. The threat of gentrification is a huge concern for Little Village members, as activist and citizens continue to fight for security.

Native American reservations: The Trail of Tears and the Indian Removal Act of 1830 are the earliest acts of marginalization on an environmental level. During the 1850’s, a large sum of tribes were forced to move west were the land was essentially useless for its dryness and remoteness. More recently, activist are fighting against the Nebraska Access Pipeline. The pipeline remains controversial because it interferes with a section of the Missouri river, a water source for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Activism against Environmental Racism

In the past, civil rights groups orchestrated rallies in order to bring attention to environmental injustice in black and brown communities. Young Lords Organization, a Puerto Rican revolutionary nationalist organization, fought against toxic and pollution disposal with their Garbage Offensive Program. It advocated for searching for more open space for waste, cleaner food options, including programs that helped those with environmental related diseases like  tuberculosis. Furthermore, other activism cases included people like Ceasar Chavez pushed for for secure health insurance for people living San Joaquin Valley in California. Many people in the area were affected by pesticides.

It’s healthy we address these issues pertaining to Environmental racism because it can often get lost in the discussion. Many POC communities are at a disadvantage economically, however attention towards their environmental needs is just as important.

Working for Clean energy

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St. Edward’s University graduate land first job out of college at Res America. 

 

Jeanet Hernandez grew up in Luling, TX where she graduated high school in 2014. After graduating high school she went to pursue a communication degree at St. Edward’s University. While in college Hernandez study abroad twice in Angers, France which ultimately impacted her life forever.

 

 

What sparked your interest in moving and working for a renewable energy company?

It really all started when I moved abroad and noticed that other countries had been taking measures to improve the protection of our planet. They had better mass transportation systems and encouraged a reduction in use of single use plastic items. I would see large full scale wind mills while traveling throughout the French countryside and it really became clear that any career I pursued, I wanted it to have value.

 

What is the company name and how does it line with your values?

I have just joined RES America, it is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. I know that renewable energy at the moment is in its own way a privilege. The return on investment is high but to start, it is a very pricey, RES has the vision to be a leader in the future here everyone has access to affordable zero carbon energy and to me that is of the most importance. We have to make living clean a way of life for everyone.

 

https://www.res-group.com/en/

 

Have you always been interested in renewable energy?

I was raised to be award of our planet but had rarely considered a career in renewable energy until my cousin became an engineer at RES. Then reading facts of climate change and the effects of the human carbon footprint really made it clear that at this moment any efforts made toward energy change would need to be pursued by motivated people. I began to want to help the planet and the future population including my own family.

 

How do you think your career will play out having your first job at a renewable energy company?

I really have no idea how it will go but I am extremely grateful for being given the opportunity to join a team and a cause that is going to change how we run as a nation. The Industrial Revolution created the need for fossil fuel use and while in cases these energy sources could be the answer short term, I want to help create a more suitable alternative in wind, solar and storage energy use. I think that as I gain experience in skills with foreign partners, I’ll learn how our neighbors overseas have created a successful market in renewable energy and how we can gain momentum in the United States.

 

What do you think the future of renewable energy will be?  

I think that renewable energy is the future of energy. As my generation grows, we’re seeing a demand from those who want to slow and reverse climate change, those who accept and acknowledge climate change, and we want to accept what the people want and ask for. I think that as renewable energy becomes the standard we will really see a change in the world around us. We will see a rise in diversity of clean energy sources and we will see companies reach for sustainability.

 

 

Ignoring The Obvious

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Air pollution has become a reoccurring conversation in Houston, Texas as chemical plants put the resident’s air quality at risk. The Environmental Protection Agency sets the pollution air quality standards. And just last month, two chemical plants went ablaze within two weeks of each other (Crosby & Deer Park) forcing people indoors in the surrounding areas. Multiple sources said that you could feel the explosions from a mile away. Are these just a coincidence? I believe not.

Crosby has a long history of breaking the law. In 2016, KMCO pleads guilty to violating the Clean Air Act. They plead guilty to entering false entries logs on air quality from a leaking tank.  Just a year before that, KMCO failed to reach regulations on risk management and makes this looks less and less like a coincidence. Just to put a little icing on the cake, Texas has given the plant three notices since last year that violate federal clean air laws. The list goes on and on. Ignoring these problems has created a lot of conversation about the credibility of Texas Legal and safety actions.

 

Environmental Protection Agencies Role in Clean Air

Congress created the Clean Air Act to fight against pollution issues emerging around the country. They set the baseline for every category involved with air pollution using the latest science and technology to gather information. There are various levels of responsibility for both state and government levels.

 

Common Pollutants

There are various levels of responsibility for both state and federal levels. They work in a partnership to ensure the laws meet all requirements and are enforced. For everyday common pollutants, the EPA establishes the baseline for national air quality standards to protect the people’s health. Using the EPA guidance and technical assistance, States takes responsibility for enforcing the Clean Air Act.  Each state has its own plan specifically catered to their emission.

 

Toxic Pollutants

Hazardous/toxic air pollutants are defined by being cancerous or have serious health effects, such as adverse environmental effects and reproductive/birth effects. Toward the top of this list, petroleum refineries, and chemical plants are in the top 5 cause of toxic air pollutants. When you combine this with ignorance on both the state and federal level, terrible outcomes like the Crosby plant explosion.

Good Practices to reduce odors & fumes

  • Store loose materials either indoors or under cover. Store oil and chemicals in suitable, sealed containers and make sure that lids fit tightly.
  • Make sure the seals in your equipment fit properly and are in good condition, eg around valves and flanges.
  • Establish systems to monitor, measure, control and minimize solvent emissions.
  • Install chemical recovery systems to capture chemicals in exhaust gases.
  • Use extraction units to remove dust and odour from your operations and filter the extracted air before you release it into the atmosphere.
  • Regularly inspect and maintain all abatement equipment, such as scrubbers, carbon filters and dust filters, to ensure your equipment runs efficiently. Make regular visual inspections of your emissions to air and keep inspection records on your site.
  • Ensure that roads and any open storage areas are hard-surfaced. Clean these regularly to reduce dust.
  • Cover skips and lorries leaving your site.

 

Hydropower and Geothermal Energy in Texas

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Here at Texas Green Rangers, we have blogged about solar and wind energy quite a bit. While these two kinds of renewable energy are prominent in the Lone Star State, we feel it is important for y’all to know that our state also has the ability to generate even more clean energy from other sources.

Hydropower

While hydropower is the most common source of renewable electricity in the United States, it only accounts for 1% of Texas’ electric power today. Hydropower reached its peak in Texas in the 1930’s when it was one of the most important forms of generated energy that brought lots of jobs and electricity to the state.

Hydroelectric power is generated from the force of falling or moving water, most often from dammed water in lakes and reservoirs falling through turbines that connect to a generator.

Another way to generate hydroelectric power comes from “pumped storage” where water moves from a lower-elevation reserve to a higher-elevation reserve where the water is released during peak power demand times. The water financial gain of this process is higher than the cost of pumping water at non-peak times but the electricity generated from the process is less than what is consumed moving the water. As of 2006, Texas had 23 dams producing hydroelectric power. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) currently operates six dams, all of which are used for hydroelectric power in times of peak demand. During operation, the six dams can generate up to 292 megawatts (MW) of energy, or 2 percent of LCRA’s annual need.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is a form of energy gained from internal heat in rocks deep in the earth. This is an especially important form of energy because it is essentially always available and can never be used up completely. In the United States, it is the third largest source of renewable energy.

There are two main ways to generate geothermal energy. One way is to drill wells to produce electricity from heated water or by using the surface heat from the earth to heat and cool buildings. The second option is typically done with the help of geothermal heat pumps. More than 10,000 residential geothermal heat pumps have been installed. These pumps are one of the simplest non-electric ways to use the energy, 70% used by the pump is renewable and the remaining 30% is electric energy used to transport the geothermal energy. In addition, over 160 schools in Texas have installed geothermal H-VAC systems as an alternative to conventional H-VACs. SECO estimates that using the earth’s temperature to cool and heat buildings could potentially reduce energy spending by up to 50%. Geopressured-geothermal energy, hot steam, hot dry rock, and magma have potential to be renewable energy sources for Texas. There are at least five major regions in Texas with significant potential for geothermal energy, though water availability, extraction and disposal are likely limitations to fully taking advantage of this energy source.

Obviously, Texas has great potential to become a beacon for renewable resources in the United States. We should continue to push to expand these green energy sources so we can move towards a greener future for our great state.

Edited by: Maddie

Save Energy, and Money

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Clean energy sources are the focus over here at Texas Green Rangers, but here we also like to find ways to reduce our usage of electricity!

By minimizing your reliance on electricity you can not only save the planet but also save some serious dough and who doesn’t like to save money? These ideas range from quick and easy fixes to home modifications that have been successful for others. Taking a small step and a few minutes out of your day can help you out in the long run so why not try a few of these out this summer:

Natural lighting in this living room allows the homeowners to rely entirely on the sun.

Our first one up isn’t one that can happen overnight but here we go. Natural lights in main rooms are both cost effective during the day and also allows you to light up your home with beautiful natural lighting. This is a big commitment so one should seriously consider it, but they make a space look spacious and breezy!  If a large window isn’t your style, there are also options to have a light that looks as though it is an electric light but really it is a tube from the roof allowing natural light in. With built in solar panels you are able to turn the lights on at night, and dim the brightness in the day if you want to. A company in Austin that does installations of this company is called SolarTex, so check them out if this peaks your interest as a homeowner.

 

Next up, unplug electronics when you are not using them and at night! When you leave things like a TV plugged in they are called “energy vampires.” This term was coined because when those devices are left plugged in then they are constantly drawing energy 24/7. If you have devices like this that are easily accessible for you to unplug then it could save you anywhere from 100-200 dollars every year!

No energy vampires welcome here.

Try out a programmable thermostat. This tool allows you to set your air conditioning to how you want it during the day when you aren’t home. In Texas air conditioning is extremely important, and we know that. It is proven that if you set your thermostat just a few degrees warmer during the day rather than completely off you can save money. This is because when your AC is set all the way off it has to use more energy to cool the space back down. When it is at a regulated temperature it is easier to cool when you get home. A programmable thermostat makes this process easier for homeowners because if you get home at 5 PM you can have the temperature start to cool back down at 4 PM. We found some reputable thermostat brands for you, The Nest ($249) and the Ecobee ($169).

Summer is coming and we know that puts a strain on wallets and air conditioners. These are all ways that you can save both money and electricity in the coming warm months. We encourage you to try them out and tell us what you think on our twitter @TXGreenRangers1. Good luck with your energy saving tools!

 

Fracking vs. wind turbine: The continuous battle

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What is fracking?

 

Fracking was pioneered in Texas in the 1990’s this process allows millions of gallons of water which is loaded with sand and chemicals thousands of feet into the earth at an intensely high pressure. This high pressure allows layers of the earth to break apart to shale pockets of oil and natural gasses to be release and be brought to the surface. No state has more hydraulic fracking than Texas, and the impact on public health, environment, and property values can be costly. Many fracking companies are using harsh chemicals, but refuse to acknowledge there harm. Fracking is done near residential areas in some cases near San Antonio and Dallas. This is a major concern because many companies do horizontal fracking which can be done beneath houses. Reports show that the areas that fracking takes place have bad air quality and have had reports of contaminated water.

 

https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/introduction-fracking-texas

The process of building a wind turbine in Texas

 

The Texas Legislature have put tough tariffs on wind turbine material, but that hasn’t stopped the boom in wind energy in Texas. Once the turbine is up it is a continuous way of getting clean energy. One of the only negative draw to wind turbines are the chance of birds migrating getting capitated by the blade.  Wind energy also provided 14.8 percent of all in-state electricity production, this is roughly the equivalent of 6.2 million homes were powered by wind in 2017, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

 

“Wind power has become an invaluable tool in the rural economic development space in Texas,” said Scott Dunaway, of Powering Texas, a wind energy advocate coalition that started in December.

 

 

Find out more about the potential of wind energy in Texas:

https://www.caller.com/story/news/special-reports/energy-effects/2019/01/17/texas-wind-turbine-energy-power-electric/2197094002/

 

Texas and energy  

Texas has been known for its petroleum and crude oil that it produces for the nation. Texas is such a big state that it’s easy to spread out and drill oil, but when oil companies start fracking near homes where families are living this creates a major problem. Wind energy powered 1/6 of Texas last year most of the wind turbines collecting the energy is out west or near the coast. Wind energy is a great alternative for all Texans because of all the major benefits of having clean air.

 

How you can help!   

We need stronger regulations to the hydraulic fracturing industry in Texas, but more importantly we need more wind turbines for clean energy. You can help by writing to your Texas representative and senator and demand that tariffs be lifted or lessened for turbine material.

 

A Texans Guide to Residential Solar Panels

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Thinking about installing solar panels in your home? Not sure where to start? Well you’re not alone. Several Texas residents have looked into installing solar panels to power their homes but have been overwhelmed with options and information. Over the past few years, Texans who live in residential areas have probably been approached at least once by door to door salespeople asking if they were interested in installing solar panels. This can be a turn off for a lot of people, but solar panels have proven to be a cheaper and greener alternative. Here is a list of things you should know if you’re looking to power your home with solar energy.

First Steps

Before starting the the process of getting solar panels for your home, you should first think about ways to make your home more energy efficient. Taking these extra steps can save you more money quickly. For more advice on how to make your home more energy efficient, take a look at the Smarter House website of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. If you want a professional opinion you can also reach out to a professional energy audit.

Installing solar panels in your home could even grant you incentives from the government. For more information on government policies and incentives related to solar energy, visit the DSIRE website. This organization remains up to date with federal, state, and local policies.

How Solar Panels Work

So how do solar panels save you money? In order to understand how this energy alternative, you have to look at how solar panels operate. Solar modules convert sunlight into electricity measured in kilowatt-hours. Either you use all of the solar electricity or it goes into the electric grid. The amount of electricity generated throughout the day, or your system’s “yield”, will depend on specifications such as the array’s tilt, orientation (north, east, south, west), shade, DC-AC conversion ratio, and a few other factors. The TXSES and Department of Energy websites offer additional basic solar details.

It’s important to understand that your utility affects your electric bill and there are policies that are specific to the state of Texas. Some utilities will only charge you for your “net” energy use, so basically you pay the remainder of the energy that use in your home. Other utilities might compensate you for unused electricity that is sent into the grid at a lower rate.

Incentives

Austin Energy has adopted a system called a “value of solar” rate where all your solar energy is credited to your bill at a pre-set rate which would offset your electric consumption charges. Make sure to check with your electric utility to learn how their solar rate works. DSIRE is also a great source to check out about more solar policies.

The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows eligible homeowners who purchase solar energy systems to claim an income tax credit that is up to 30 percent of the installment cost. This credit is currently available until the end of 2021, for more incentives check out The Department of Energy and DSIRE websites as well as your electric utility and city government websites.

 

Edited: AJ

Biomass: All to you need to know

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  There are multiple renewable resources that exist today.  Hydro, solar, wind, geothermal, and alcohol just to name a few. However, biomass energy is an alternative fuel that is said to be sustainable and reliable. What makes biomass so interesting is its source because it has more than just one much like solar. It’s inevitable for there to be some issue with any renewable resources, but for biomass, there is likely more ways to work around them. Biomass is vague, so that can be wood, animal manure, trash, the list goes on. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mapped out the plan for our energy consumption by 2022. The goal was set to produce 36 billion gallons of biofuels a year by 2022. If this is done right, biofuels will be found in many gas stations across the country in 10 to 15 years.  

The Processes of Biofuel 

        To understand biomass, it’s important to recognize what is done in order to make new energy.  To begin the process, transesterification must occur. This is done by adding methanol to the vegetable oil for example. Alkaline acts like a catalyst to make a chemical reaction between the oil and the methanol. Either Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide can be used.  Digesters can also be used with human or animal waste. The material enters a large compartment and is then converted into organic waste through anaerobic digestion. This process is done for days, kitchen waste, manure, all are used to create energy for cooking and everyday needs.     

Statistics 

       As of today in the United States, 5% of total primary energy use is of biomass. Now a large portion of this comes from wood(45%) and wood-derived biomass, and about 11% was from municipal waste. This high use of waste material lets the world have more space, which helps out for many. With the expansion of digesters,  Anaerobic digestion generation increased by 19 percent, reaching 2.5. The rate at which biomass technology is moving is proactive, in fact, The largest biomass power station in the world in Finland produces a maximum of 265 MW of power. For consumption, the industrial use racks up to 51.33%, transportation 26.1%, residential 9. 75% and electricity 10.07%.  

    Biomasses is a renewable source to considerate based on an agricultural and economic point of view. The expansion of fossil fuel will speed up the Greenhouse effect story, and the health of the earth is at stake.  Small and practical steps must be taken in order to restore the attitudes about where we get our energy and how it is used.  

 

Edited: Tyler Brown

Wasted

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The U.S. consumed over 97.7 quadrillion Btus of energy in 2017 alone. This number can be hard to wrap your brain around, but what’s even worse is that two-thirds of that energy was wasted in the process. The core of the problem is a combination of inefficient non-renewable methods and the way we use energy in our homes and businesses.

 

The upside is we control both our energy use and the impact on our planet. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, we can reduce our energy consumption by 40 to 60 percent within the next 25 years. Using better technology and eliminating waste across our economy. This will not only benefit the economy, but create a cleaner environment while tackling climate change issues in the process.

So, how are we going to solve this issue? Read below to find out.

3 Ways Texas Plans On Attacking The Issue

1. Attacking the problem in our communities and workplaces

The root of the problems starts in our very own homes. Promoting energy conservation is a common sense solution, but getting everyone on board is another challenge. Starting with baby steps, such as using LED light bulbs versus the traditional bulb, to big steps, such as installing solar panels on your home. Addressing the issues in our own homes must become a priority. That’s why Texas has created Citizen’s guide for reducing energy waste, to help educate people of methods they can use in their own homes and business to save energy.

2.Building more efficiently

Building consumes more energy across the nation than anything else. We can make a change by focusing our efforts on ensuring institutions, cities and states are implementing effective methods to its infrastructure.

To achieve this goal, Texas is working on upgrading existing buildings, while ensuring all new buildings are constructed to meet net-zero energy standards. This means that all new building in the next decade will be constructed with energy from solar panels and wind turbines.  

3. Investing in appliance efficiency

Pushing efforts toward appliance efficiency can make a drastic impact on products in our communities.

Texas is working alongside national networks, to promote conservation locally plus state-level governments to assure concrete policies are implemented. In doing so, the appliance efficiency standards will be raised, creating more energy savings, decreasing environmental damages and building a foundation for future communities to follow up.

The future of this great nation is in our hands. As Texans, it is our duty to lead the charge on change in this country. But first, we must look within our own homes and communities if we really plan to make a change.

West Texas Wind

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Photo taken by a Texas Green Ranger on their drive through West Texas.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Howdy Rangers! We took a week off but we are back with a renewed vigor for encouraging our readers to trust the use of renewable energy sources. A topic that came up a lot with our team was the amount of wind turbines that can be spotted in West Texas. 

West Texas, the region of Texas that is exactly what the country singers paint it as. Needless to say there is not much to see, but it is still the beautiful Texas plains that represent just another facet of this state that we are so proud of! A signature feature on the drive to Amarillo, Texas from Austin are the fields of enormous wind turbines. While there are a lot of them already, there could absolutely be more. But, as a city dweller it is ignorant to assume that those who live in the spacious areas want these structures taking up room. Contine reading →