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Port Arthur Resilience Network Working Group

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Tue, 2014-03-04 10:40 — mdmcdonald
This working group is focused on discussions about resilience efforts, and issues that impact public health in Port Arthur, TX.

The mission of this working group is to focus on discussions about resilience efforts, and issues that impact public health in Port Arthur, TX.

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Kathy Gilbeaux mdmcdonald MDMcDonald_me_com
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Email address for group

port-arthur-resilience-network-working-group@m.resiliencesystem.org

93 Percent of the World’s Children Breathe Toxic, Polluted Air Each Day

Wed, 2018-10-31 05:46 — Kathy Gilbeaux

CLICK HERE - REPORT - WHO - Air pollution and child health: prescribing clean air

usatoday.com - by Doyle Rice - October 30, 2018

Nearly 2 billion children – about 93 percent of the world’s children under the age of 15 – breathe toxic, putrid air that’s so polluted it puts their health and well-being at serious risk, a new report said. 

Many of the children die: The United Nations' World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 600,000 children died in 2016 from lower respiratory infections caused by dirty air . . . 

 . . . Air pollution can affect children's cognitive ability and can also trigger asthma as well as cancer. Children who have been exposed to high levels of air pollution may be at greater risk for chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease later in life . . . 

 . . . The report said that overall, about 7 million people around the world die each year because of air pollution. In fact, one-third of the deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease stem from polluted air, the WHO said.

Country / Region Tags: 
Global
United States
General Topic Tags: 
Disease
Health
Pollution
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Situation Report

Texas to Get Nearly $5B in Flood-Mitigation Funding

Sat, 2018-07-21 00:00 — Kathy Gilbeaux

           

Stalled cars and rescue vehicles on a flooded section of Interstate 610 in Houston on Aug. 27.  ALYSSA SCHUKAR

CLICK HERE - BiPartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) - Long Term Disaster Recovery Investment Plan - Construction Account - As of July 5, 2018 (2 page .PDF file)

bizjournals.com - by Olivia Pulsinelli - July 6, 2018

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced July 5 how it will allocate billions of dollars for more flood-mitigation efforts. 

Of the allocations announced July 5, the largest portion is more than $13.9 billion for the construction of nearly 60 projects to reduce damage from floods and storms across multiple states and Puerto Rico.

(CLICK HERE - READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Orange County, Texas - see page 11 in the 75 page report within the link below.  It describes the proposed construction for the levee in Orange County and includes a map showing the placement of the proposed levee.

Country / Region Tags: 
United States
General Topic Tags: 
Disaster Risk Reduction
Economics
Infrastructure
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Situation Report

Federal Harvey Relief Funds Might Take Years, Officials Tell Legislators

Thu, 2017-10-12 10:52 — Kathy Gilbeaux

           

Flood damaged debris piled outside of homes in Port Arthur Texas. The city saw 47 inches of rain during the storm. - Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

texastribune.org - by Brandon Formby - October 2, 2017

 . . . state lawmakers were told that Housing and Urban Development disaster relief funds, which includes money for extensive home repairs or rebuilds, could take seven to 32 months to work their way through bureaucratic processes and several layers of government agencies . . . Congress approved $7.4 billion in HUD disaster relief funds last month. But that may have to be shared with Florida and Puerto Rico, which have each been hit by hurricanes in the weeks after Harvey battered Texas, unless legislators approve another aid package . . .

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

 

Country / Region Tags: 
United States
General Topic Tags: 
Disaster Response
Economics
Emergency Management
Recovery
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Situation Report

Failed Levee Near Taylor Bayou Could Compromise Portion of Jefferson County - Texas

Mon, 2017-08-07 18:55 — Kathy Gilbeaux

A hole in the basin near Taylor Bayou created a shift in the dirt and the wall where the levee exists, County Judge Jeff Branick tells KFDM/KBTV. It is not clear what caused the hole. There is no timetable for repairs but workers are attempting a temporary fix. They were building a pad at the levee late Monday morning. There is also no official cost estimate of the fix. The levee is close to the Valero docks. (KFDM/KBTV photo)

kfdm.com - by Angel San Juan and Brandon Scott - August 7, 2017

A failed levee near Taylor Bayou could compromise a portion of Jefferson County south of Beaumont - mainly Port Arthur and its surrounding refineries - if a tropical storm or hurricane hit the area, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In a news release dated Aug. 4, the Corps states it was notified by Jefferson County Drainage District-7 of a failure of a section of floodwall near Taylor Bayou last Tuesday morning.

A hole in the basin created a shift in the dirt and the wall where the levee exists, County Judge Jeff Branick tells KFDM/KBTV.

Country / Region Tags: 
United States
General Topic Tags: 
Disaster Risk Reduction
Emergency Management
Energy
Infrastructure
Petrochemical
Security
Sustainable Development
Vulnerability
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Problem
Situation Report

Port Arthur Residents' Concerns Continue After German Pellets Silo Collapses

Wed, 2017-06-07 10:04 — Kathy Gilbeaux

           

kfdm.com - by Kaily Cunningham - June 4, 2017

PORT ARTHUR — After nearly two months of smoke pouring out of a German Pellets silo in Port Arthur, the silo collapsed early Sunday morning.

Authorities say the silo collapse just after 4 a.m. . . .

 . . . However, they say, their health concerns -- as a result of inhaling the smoke -- continue.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

 

Country / Region Tags: 
United States
US - Gulf Coast
US - South
General Topic Tags: 
Environment
Health
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Problem
Situation Report

Port Arthur Neighbors Have Mixed Reviews About a Proposed Community Garden

Sat, 2015-04-11 18:26 — Kathy Gilbeaux

      

12newsnow.com - KBMT - by Rhyan Henson - April 10, 2015

Several people in Port Arthur are concerned about Valero's proposed plan to build a community garden and park.

This project would allow Valero to avoid paying part of their $200,000 fine that was issued to them in September 2013. . . .

. . . Given the area's air quality, some community activists fear any food grown will be unsafe to eat and they are struggling to see a benefit.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Country / Region Tags: 
US - South
General Topic Tags: 
Community
Development
Environment
Health
Land Use
Petrochemical
Pollution
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Problem

Efforts are Underway for a Community-Owned Grocery Store in Port Arthur, Texas

Thu, 2015-03-19 17:00 — Kathy Gilbeaux
12 News

12newsnow.com - by Angel San Juan - March 20, 2015

PORT ARTHUR - The neighborhood surrounding Gilham Circle was once a thriving part of Port Arthur, but Hurricane Rita dealt it a severe blow.

But a decade later, Cuevas Peacock, a young community activist, and his group PRO-ACT, which stands for promoting action in our communities and towns are hoping to breathe new life into the area, starting with a grocery store.

Peacock says the hurricane caused a decline in population, and that decline led to a departure of businesses, specifically grocery stores.

Most of the people who stayed in the neighborhood are elderly, and the nearest full-service grocery store is not within walking distance.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Country / Region Tags: 
US - South
General Topic Tags: 
Agriculture
Community
Economics
Food
Resilience
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Solutions

Port Arthur Citizens Oppose Construction of New Plant Near Their Homes

Mon, 2014-07-07 18:30 — Kathy Gilbeaux
12 News KBMT and K-JAC. News, Weather and Sports for SE Texas

12newsnow.com - by Angel San Juan - July 3, 2014

PORT ARTHUR - ZeoGas is a start-up company that wants to convert natural gas into methanol, which will then be turned into gasoline. It's interested in building a plant in Port Arthur along Highway 73 near the city's water plant, but families living nearby, in the El Vista area, don't want it. . .

. . . They say they've been promised job opportunities before and have just gotten industry that's harmed their health.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Country / Region Tags: 
US - South
General Topic Tags: 
Energy
Environment
Health
Pollution
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Problem
Situation Report

Items in Uncovered Port Arthur Time Capsule Destroyed by Chemicals, Water

Wed, 2014-07-02 21:28 — Kathy Gilbeaux

      

12newsnow.com - KBMT - July 2, 2014

Museum goers had some moments of anticipation as a time capsule was opened up Wednesday at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur.  Unfortunately, water and chemicals had seeped into the underground container and destroyed most of its contents.

. . . The best we can determine is that some chemical agent in the groundwater dissolved the PVC glue allowing the pressure of the groundwater to force its way into the time capsule, essentially corrupted and destroyed most of the contents," said David Beard, Director of the Museum.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Country / Region Tags: 
US - South
General Topic Tags: 
Environment
Pollution
Water
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Problem

Texas Chemical Plant Agrees to Cut Harmful Air Pollution in Overburdened Community

Fri, 2014-03-21 20:32 — Kathy Gilbeaux

                                            

justice.gov - epa.gov - March 20, 2014

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Flint Hills Resources of Port Arthur has agreed to implement innovative technologies to control harmful air pollution from industrial flares and leaking equipment at the company’s chemical plant in Port Arthur, Texas.  This settlement is part of EPA’s national effort to advance environmental justice by protecting communities such as Port Arthur that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution.  The company is also required to pay a $350,000 penalty for Clean Air Act violations.

Once fully implemented, EPA estimates that the settlement will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), by an estimated 1,880 tons per year, and will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by approximately 69,000 tons per year.

Country / Region Tags: 
US - South
General Topic Tags: 
Energy
Environment
Health
Pollution
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Problem
Situation Report

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