Environment

ERCOT Predicts Another Grid-Busting Summer

Eileen Pace — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:04:52 +0000

National forecasters are predicting another hotter-than-normal summer. That could mean more of the rolling blackouts likes those San Antonio experienced in 2011.

Climatologists predict temperatures will be above normal this year and the power grid may not be able to keep up. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation projects the Texas grid will have the lowest percentage of power reserves this summer of any region in the country.

Museum Reach Oil Spill Declared Minor, Area Wildlife Not Affected

Eileen Pace — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:27:39 +0000

As the investigation continues into the cause of the oil spill that heavy rains carried into the San Antonio River on the final Saturday of Fiesta last month, officials say the spill has been remediated and restoration is almost complete.

They said it was a perfect storm: An unknown amount of oil spilling into the street during Fiesta, when hundreds of cars had driven up and down Broadway, and a heavy rain that washed everything down the hill on 10th Street and into the river along the east bank of the Museum Reach.

Bexar County Meeting With Residents On Flood Control Project For VFW Blvd.

Eileen Pace — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:02:21 +0000

Bexar County is beginning a new project in its 10-year, $500 million flood control plan, and the public is invited to ask questions about the project at tonight’s information session.

The meeting is to inform residents, business people and other members of the public what will be affected by the $8.5 million project on VFW Blvd. near Roosevelt Avenue.

BP To Pay Texas $18 Million From Deepwater Horizon Disaster

Eileen Pace — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:47:40 +0000

Texas is included in five of 28 restoration projects across the Gulf of Mexico under a conditional agreement between BP and Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees.

Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesman Tom Harvey said although the Texas coast was less visibly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Texas wildlife was affected.

TCEQ Confident It Will Find Source Of Museum Reach Oil Spill

Eileen Pace — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:53:06 +0000

Several agencies are now investigating an oil spill that flowed into the San Antonio River at 10th Street last weekend.

So much rain came down over the weekend and Monday that it is difficult for the agencies to measure the amount of oil that washed down Avenue B to 10th Street, over the berms, through the grass, and into the river.

Tests by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have determined that the spill was petroleum oil.

Updated: Oil Spill Flows Into San Antonio River Near Museum Reach

Eileen Pace — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:06:12 +0000

Update: (May 3 12:08 p.m.) The test results found that the oil is petroleum based, but SARA still doesn't know where the oil originated.

The TCEQ and SARA have agreed that they will share the cost of restoring the vegetation and grass in the affected areas.

Update: (May 3, 9:45 a.m.) Still no word on the sample results from SARA or the TCEQ.

SAWS Discontinues Use Of Medina Lake Water

Joey Palacios — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:08:23 +0000

The water in Medina Lake has fallen so low that the San Antonio Water System is no longer drawing water from it. The shift will affect the water source for the southern portion of Bexar County.

At the end of last week, SAWS shut off its pump in Medina Lake, which is now only five percent full.

"The water remaining is developing some water quality issues," said SAWS Spokeswoman Ann Hayden.

The decision to stop pumping was due to a concern about the water quality level and the amount of algae.

The Residents Of That Paper Nest In Your Tree Are Good Neighbors

Eileen Pace — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:03:23 +0000

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is noticing an increase in the number of small Mexican honey wasps in the Bexar County area and experts are putting out the word that these insects are not the harmful wasps that people are typically afraid of.

Particle Air Pollution Down, But Smog Is Up In San Antonio

Eileen Pace — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:09:50 +0000

The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2013 Report released Wednesday finds Bexar County has joined a nationwide trend of improved overall air quality.

However, San Antonio has an ongoing problem with ozone.

Arbor Day Ceremony Highlights Ongoing Recovery Of Bastrop Community

Steve Short — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:02:06 +0000

A little more than 18 months after the most destructive wildfire in Texas history, Bastrop is coming together once again, this time to celebrate resiliency, recovery, and hope.

Those themes will be the primary focus as Bastrop residents join with state and local dignitaries this Friday to celebrate the 124th Texas Arbor Day.

Texas A&M Forester Service Director Tom Boggus said Arbor Day is special because it celebrates the bond between Texans and our trees.