Problem:
- The Texas constitution preempts cities from regulating oil and gas. Some cities such as Houston had ordinances requiring drilling be at lest 1,000 feet from the normal water’s edge of Lake Houston or any of its drains, streams or tributaries
- HB40 re-written to include a 5-year “prima facie” clause, a legal term which gives the impression that cities will retain the right to keep ordinances more than 5 years old. At best, this is only partially true.
- 182,550 families in Houston who applied for FEMA aid but were denied – about 71% of the city’s total applicants.
Solutions:
- Create a public bank to finance water related projects
- Close corporate loopholes in the state sales tax
- Reallocate some of the $800 million wasted on border security
- Amend the Texas constitution remove the cap on the Consolidated Water Quality Fee assessed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, so that the fee is assessed equitably on all fee payers.
- Any business that uses more than 100,000 gallons of water a day will be charged an additional 25-cents per every 1,000 gallons.
- Reduce the amount of money wasted on professional sports stadiums so the money can be used to reduce flooding
- Do a feasibility study on turning some of the city of houston golf courses into flood detention ponds similar to Clear Lake
- Repeal the $12.27 revenue cap to be able to use fund for flood mitigation
Texas Constitution
Code – Water
Chapter – 26 Water Quality Control
Section – 26.0291 Water Quality Fee
Code – Natural Resources
Chapter – 81 Railroad Commission of Texas
Section – 81.0523 Exclusive Jurisdiction and Express Preemption
USA Today – Proposal would allow Harvey victims to use retirement savings for home repair
Houston Free Press – How Close Is Too Close to Drill for Oil Near Lake Houston?
NPR – After HB 40, What’s Next for Local Drilling Rules in Texas?
Yes Magazine – Faced With a Fracking Giant, This Small Town Just Legalized Civil Disobedience
Houston Chronicle – Houston Suburbs Reclaiming more Waste Water
Houston as a Model City: Meeting the challenges of an environmental crisis The Future of Water
League City spending $157 million to meet growing demand for water
City of Houston to Look at Expanding Water Supply
Houston Chronicle – Wichita, Kansas Exploring Grey Water Options
LA Times – California will soon have toughest shower head requirements in nation
A Case Study: EPA’s Permeable Pavement Parking Lot
National Geographic – Why Did L.A. Drop 96 Million ‘Shade Balls’ Into Its Water?
Under Pressure: Bathers Duck Weak Shower Heads
EPA: $1 trillion water investment needed for American population growth
State officials approve Central Texas-friendly water management plan
Miami Herald – Beyond the high tides, South Florida water is changing
Huffington Post – This Company Wants To Help Buildings Save Water And Money
NPR – Big Switch for Water Regulation in Texas Dominates Hearing at the Capitol
Texas Comptroller – Texas Supreme Court Decision Affirms Right to Water
Texas Tribune – State Supreme Court Punts on Major Water Case
Texas Tribune – Fort Worth Floats Idea of Privatizing Water Services
Texas Tribune – See How Local Drilling Rules Vary Across Texas
Texas Tribune – Blue Mound Residents Boiling Over Water Rate
Next City – 4 Things to Know Before Your Water Is Privatized
Next City – Philadelphia Considers Exempting Gardens From Stormwater Fees
Charleston Gazette Mail – Missoula officials make case for public water takeover in WV
Wasll Street Journal – Towns Try to Take Back Water Systems
Environmental Defense Fund – What Texas’ Elected Officials Should Know About House Bill 40
Star Telegram – Cities concerned about state urban-drilling bill
California Law Recognizes Meadows and Forests as Water Infrastructure
Sacramento Bee – California must invest in watersheds, just like dams
Men’s Journal – Who Stole the Water?
San Antonio Express – Three water bills to watch in the Texas Legislature
The Guardian – Rural water access: why should countries follow Paraguay’s lead?
City Lab – Why Doesn’t New Orleans Look More Like Amsterdam?
Next City – Low-Income Philadelphians Get Help Paying the Water Bill
The Week – The perverse incentives of the National Flood Insurance Program
The Atlantic – Can Congress Bring the National Flood Insurance Program Above Water?
Texas Observer – Troubled Waters: New Book Plunges into Texas’ Convoluted Water Law
No Resolution in Sight For Ranchers and Farmers Fighting Over San Saba River
Houston Press – Out of Control
City Council proposes higher water fees for large companiesCity Council proposes higher water fees for large companies
The Largest Harvey-Related Gasoline Spill Went Unknown for Weeks
Massive city sewer struggles will mean higher water bills
Feds, state sue Houston over years of illegal sewage spills
EPA auditing Houston’s use of water infrastructure project fund
