Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Service

09/30/2026

Tomorrow, the TCEQ will hold a public meeting on Valero Refining-Texas, L.P. that seeks a new federal operating permit. Valero Refining-Texas, L.P., a petroleum refining facility, applied to TCEQ for an Initial Issuance of Federal Operating Permit O4898, Application No. 39767 to authorize operation of the Valero Houston Refinery located at 9701 Manchester St.
in Houston, Harris County, TX 77012.

3 different schools, community centers, places of worship, and residents who live nearby are located within a half-mile radius from the Valero Houston Refinery.

The TCEQ Executive Director recommends the issuance of the draft permit. As a resident of the community, YOU have a right to question this decision and agree or disagree.

📣 Our ask alongside the community is that we encourage community members to attend the public meeting and share their concerns about how Valero has been operating and how it may be affecting their lives and community. You have a right to attend, participate, and speak! Read below on our flyer to learn more!

📆 Thursday, October 1, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM CST
📍 Hartman Park’s Community Center, 9311 E Avenue P, Houston, 77012

📞 Can’t attend in person? You can join by phone: 1-800-687-4040

09/28/2026

⚠️New product screening from the Campaign for Healthier Solutions shows that “it’s not that hard to find a banned ingredient openly listed on product labels in the dollar store beauty aisle.”

✅The good news? Dollar Tree has made new commitments to restrict PFAS, formaldehyde releasers and other toxics, facing pressure from shoppers and safer cosmetics laws at the state level.

New product screening, led by community organizations, Just Transition Alliance House Environmental Justice Health Alliance Coming Clean Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Service

👉shows that “it’s not that hard to find a banned ingredient openly listed on product labels in the dollar store beauty aisle.”

Dollar stores need to step up on compliance, and use their purchasing power to pressure national brands like the ones featured here to get PFAS, toluene, and formaldehyde-releasers out of cosmetics.

Read about our product testing for the people here:https://comingcleaninc.org/assets/media/images/CHS%20Launch%20Images/Product%20Screening%20for%20the%20People%202026%20.pdf

09/24/2026

Our Fiestas Patrias Houston 2026 Recap! 🌱❤️💃

Thank You once again to the Fiestas Patrias Committee for letting us be part of this beautiful moment and allowing us to celebrate our cultures with many others but also highlighting the importance of Environmental Justice Historia ❤️🌱 Luchamos por los derechos de Madre Tierra hoy, y para siempre ✊🏽🌿

09/22/2026

🌿❤️ On September 19, 2026, TEJAS was honored to be invited back to the Fiestas Patrias Parade in Houston, TX!
This year’s theme, “Rooted in Legacy. Inspirando el Futuro,” meant a lot to us as a Latino-led environmental justice group. Our float showcased TEJAS’s journey, featuring photos of our Directors, Juan and Ana Parras, and the organization they founded. Each photo tells a part of TEJAS’s story, linking our past efforts to the future we are building together.
The vines woven throughout our float represented the connections between these stories, showcasing TEJAS’s timeline and the legacy Juan and Ana Parras have cultivated through their dedication to the environmental justice movement. A legacy rooted in history—not only here in Houston, but also statewide, nationally, and internationally.
We honor our roots and support both current and future generations as they work to protect their communities and stand in solidarity with others for environmental justice. By working with young people, we celebrate our shared future and the value of passing on wisdom and care from one generation to the next.
As Latinos, we find profound meaning in representation and pride in our culture. We do not take these moments of being together with our community for granted. Being part of this parade allowed us to create a visual representation of our cultural identities, honor our roots, and challenge us to find better ways to support our Mother Earth.

Our float featured real plants, and its decorations were made from recyclable materials using eco-friendly methods. Every detail represented our belief that celebrating our culture and caring for our tierra can grow together.

We are so grateful to our amazing volunteers and staff for giving their time, creativity, and heart to make this float possible. ❤️

Thank you to the Fiestas Patrias Houston Committee for inviting us back to celebrate our shared cultures and highlight the importance of Environmental Justice Historia. May this experience allow us to plant new futures together for cultura y nuestra tierra🌿❤️

09/14/2026

[Español]

‼️ACTUALIZACIÓN‼️
Las quejas relacionadas con la situación en TPC ayer se están remitiendo a la Ciudad de Houston. Instamos a los residentes con preocupaciones a comunicarse con su concejal o a asistir a la próxima reunión de la ciudad de Houston. Hagan preguntas y expresen sus inquietudes.

https://www.houstontx.gov/council/meetingsinfo.html

😷Hoy (9/14/26), los residentes de Houston y del condado de Harris reportaron humo negro y se vio una antorcha (flaring) junto al humo en la instalación de TPC Group Houston Operations en la calle 8600 ParkPlace Blvd. Los residentes siguen preocupados por la calidad del aire y por un patrón de eventos similares cuando esta instalación pierde electricidad.

❤️‍🩹Por favor, si vive cerca de la situación, límite sus actividades afuera y tome las precauciones necesarias para garantizar que usted y sus seres queridos estén a salvo de exposiciones nocivas.

⚠️Si tiene una emergencia médica, llame al 911 o vaya a la sala de emergencias más cercana.

🟡Si NO es emergencia y si usted piensa que alguien se ha envenenado, llame inmediatamente al 1-800-222-1222

🔴Para quejas ambientales en Houston, se sugiere que los residentes envíen informes a los siguientes lugares:
➡️Quejas por contaminación ambiental en Houston: Llame al 311 o al (832) 393-5730
Formulario en línea: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/es-ES/

☎️Formulario de queja de los Servicios de Control de Contaminación del Condado de Harris (HCPCS): https://pcs.harriscountytx.gov/
Llamadas de emergencia para HCPCS: 713-920-2831

➡️Formulario de queja ambiental en línea de TCEQ:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Quejas_ambientales

➡️Comisión Estatal de Respuesta a Emergencias (SERC): 1-800-832-8224
Para emergencias ambientales o de salud pública

➡️Informe de violaciones ambientales de la EPA:
https://echo.epa.gov/denuncie-violaciones-ambientales

09/14/2026

[English]

‼️UPDATE‼️
Environmental Complaints are being referred to the City of Houston. We urge concerned residents to contact their councilmember or attend the next meeting at City Hall. Ask questions and express concerns.

https://www.houstontx.gov/council/meetingsinfo.html

😷Today (9/14/26), Houston and Harris County residents reported black smoke and large flaring at TPC Group Houston Operations at 8600 Park Place Blvd. Resident concerns continue regarding air quality and a pattern of similar events following power outages at this facility.

❤️‍🩹 If you live nearby please limit outdoor activities. Please take necessary precautions to ensure you and your loved ones are safe from harmful exposures.

⚠️If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

🟡For Non-emergencies: if you believe you have come in contact with a substance that might be poisonous,
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222

🔴For Environmental Complaints, we encourage residents to report those to:

➡️Contact the Houston Environmental Pollution Complaints if this pertains to your area: Call 311 or (832) 393-5730

➡️(Houston only) Online form: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/en-US/

➡️Harris County Pollution Control Services (HCPCS) Complaint Form: https://pcs.harriscountytx.gov/

➡️Emergency calls for HCPCS: 713-920-2831

➡️TCEQ Environmental Complaint Online Form:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Environmental_Complaints

➡️State Emergency Response Commission (SERC): 1-800-832-8224

➡️For environmental or public health emergencies
EPA Environmental Violations Report:
https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations

09/08/2026

Thank you John, for your unwavering friendship through the years. Your presence in our lives means so much and the joy you brought us no matter what challenges we face continues to inspire our work. Your memory and legacy live on through our hand and heart work. 🌱

GALVESTON, TX — John Patrick Sullivan’s full & rich life ended at age 77, in the wee hours on August 2, 2026, in Galveston, TX, surrounded by loved ones &

08/13/2026

Next Thursday, The TCEQ will hold a public meeting on Eco Services Operations Corp.'s Air Quality Permit renewal, which would authorize continued operation of their sulfuric acid manufacturing plant.

This facility is located nearby a school and surrounded by community. Making this more than just a permit, it is an issue that directly impacts the people who live, work, and go to school nearby.

📢 Our ask, alongside community, is to urge TCEQ to deny this permit renewal. Continuing to allow these operations could mean continued exposure to pollution and continued environmental and health concerns for surrounding residents. It is important for community members to show up, make their voices heard, and share their concerns about the impacts this facility has on your community. 📢

Your testimony matters. Your presence matters. Your voice matters.

📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM CST
📍 Houston City College – Southeast Campus
Dr. Irene M. Porcaro Building D, Room 108
6815 Rustic Street, Houston, TX 77087

📞 Can’t attend in person? You can join by phone: 1-800-687-4040

08/11/2026

[English]
😷This morning (8/11/26), Manchester residents reported a fire and dark smoke at 1919 Goodyear Dr. Concerns exist, and people are unsure about what substances they might have been exposed to.

❤️‍🩹Please take necessary precautions to ensure you and your loved ones are safe from harmful exposures.

⚠️If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

🟡For Non-emergencies: if you believe you have come in contact with a substance that might be poisonous,
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222

🔴For Environmental Complaints, we encourage residents to report those to:

➡️Contact the Houston Environmental Pollution Complaints if this pertains to your area: Call 311 or (832) 393-5730

➡️(Houston only) Online form: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/en-US/

➡️Harris County Pollution Control Services (HCPCS) Complaint Form: https://pcs.harriscountytx.gov/

➡️Emergency calls for HCPCS: 713-920-2831

➡️TCEQ Environmental Complaint Online Form:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Environmental_Complaints

➡️State Emergency Response Commission (SERC): 1-800-832-8224

➡️For environmental or public health emergencies
EPA Environmental Violations Report:
https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations

08/11/2026

[Español]
😷Esta mañana, los residentes de Manchester han reportado preocupaciones por un incendio y humo oscuro en la 1919 Goodyear Dr. Existen incertidumbres sobre qué tipo de sustancias están expuestos los residentes.

❤️‍🩹Por favor, tome las precauciones necesarias para garantizar que usted y sus seres queridos estén a salvo de exposiciones nocivas.

⚠️Si tiene una emergencia médica, llame al 911 o vaya a la sala de emergencias más cercana.

🟡Si NO es emergencia y si usted piensa que alguien se ha envenenado, llame inmediatamente al 1-800-222-1222

🔴Para quejas ambientales en Houston, se sugiere que los residentes envíen informes a los siguientes lugares:
➡️Quejas por contaminación ambiental en Houston: Llame al 311 o al (832) 393-5730
Formulario en línea: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/es-ES/

☎️Formulario de queja de los Servicios de Control de Contaminación del Condado de Harris (HCPCS): https://pcs.harriscountytx.gov/
Llamadas de emergencia para HCPCS: 713-920-2831

➡️Formulario de queja ambiental en línea de TCEQ:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Quejas_ambientales

➡️Comisión Estatal de Respuesta a Emergencias (SERC): 1-800-832-8224
Para emergencias ambientales o de salud pública

➡️Informe de violaciones ambientales de la EPA:
https://echo.epa.gov/denuncie-violaciones-ambientales