Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)

Dam Safety Issues at Forefront Following Hurricane Flooding [1]

The threat of failing dams can prompt worries over lost lives and property, as witness hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. But dam failure is a problem environmental journalists can get ahead of, and the latest TipSheet helps you get ready — with questions to ask, sources to pursue and resources to bone up on. Plus, more hurricane coverage resources [2].

SEJ Publication Types:

TipSheet [3]

Topics on the Beat:

Disasters [4]

Natural Resources [5]

Water & Oceans [6]

Region:

National (U.S.) [7]

California [8]

SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [9]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Central America & the Caribbean [11]

Visibility:

Public [12]

Read more about Dam Safety Issues at Forefront Following Hurricane Flooding [1]

Arkema Plant Under Criminal Investigation By Harris County DA’s Office [13]

"The Arkema chemical plant — already facing multiple lawsuits over explosions of a volatile chemical in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey — is under criminal investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, officials confirmed Friday."

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Environmental Health [15]

Pollution [16]

Water & Oceans [6]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: Houston Chronicle [17], 10/02/2017

Read more about Arkema Plant Under Criminal Investigation By Harris County DA’s Office [13]

"EPA Finds Dioxin Exposed At Superfund Site After Storm, Orders Tests" [18]

"Cancer-causing dioxins leached from a Superfund site along a Texas river during Hurricane Harvey flooding, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said, triggering calls on Friday for the toxic waste to be permanently moved."

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Environmental Health [15]

Laws & Regulations [19]

Pollution [16]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: Reuters [20], 10/02/2017

Read more about "EPA Finds Dioxin Exposed At Superfund Site After Storm, Orders Tests" [18]

After 350 Million Piñons Die, Scientists Fear For This Forest’s Future [21]

"Heat, drought, wildfire and insects threaten an iconic pine — and potentially an entire ecosystem — as climate change looms large in the American Southwest".

Climate Change [22]

Forests [23]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: Ensia [24], 09/28/2017

Read more about After 350 Million Piñons Die, Scientists Fear For This Forest’s Future [21]

Is There a Post-Flood “Toxic Stew” Near You? [25]

Flooding disasters can unleash some nasty substances into the environment, whether from Superfund sites, sewage plants or petrochemical and other industrial facilities handling toxic and hazardous materials.This week's TipSheet identifies some of the biggest risks, and offers starting points for your local reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:

TipSheet [3]

Topics on the Beat:

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Energy & Fuel [26]

Environmental Health [15]

Health [27]

Journalism & Media [28]

People & Population [29]

Pollution [16]

Region:

National (U.S.) [7]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Visibility:

Public [12]

Read more about Is There a Post-Flood “Toxic Stew” Near You? [25]

"Homeowners Join Lawsuit Against Arkema Chemical Plant That Burned [30]

"Eleven additional plaintiffs and a new defendant have been added to a lawsuit against the company whose manufacturing plant experienced a series of chemical fires as a result of floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey."

Air [31]

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Laws & Regulations [19]

Pollution [16]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: Texas Tribune [32], 09/21/2017

Read more about "Homeowners Join Lawsuit Against Arkema Chemical Plant That Burned [30]

CSB Says Arkema Generators Vulnerable; Photos Show Aftermath [33]

"The U.S. Chemical Safety Board on Monday released stark photos of the scorched remains of containers at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Tex., that burned in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey."

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: Washington Post [34], 09/20/2017

Read more about CSB Says Arkema Generators Vulnerable; Photos Show Aftermath [33]

"AP Exclusive: Evidence of Spills At Toxic Site During Floods" [35]

"PASADENA, Texas -- The U.S. government received reports of three spills at one of Houston's dirtiest Superfund toxic waste sites in the days after the drenching rains from Hurricane Harvey finally stopped. Aerial photos reviewed by The Associated Press show dark-colored water surrounding the site as the floods receded, flowing through Vince Bayou and into the city's ship channel."

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Pollution [16]

Water & Oceans [6]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: AP [36], 09/19/2017

Read more about "AP Exclusive: Evidence of Spills At Toxic Site During Floods" [35]

Harvey: "Filing Shows Spill At Arkema Plant Before It Caught Fire" [37]

"The chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, that caught fire in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey experienced a chemical spill more than a day before the fire broke out, according to a regulatory filing."

Chemicals [14]

Disasters [4]

Environmental Health [15]

Journalism & Media [28]

Laws & Regulations [19]

Pollution [16]

Public [12]

Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [10]

Source: EnergyWire [38], 09/15/2017