GHASP - 20 years of fighting for clean air

GHASP has worked for 20 years to educate the public, industry, business leaders, regulators and lawmakers on Houston's poor air quality and to help implement changes in the regulatory process. GHASP is the only truly independent voice solely focused on decreasing air pollution for the better health of all the region's residents.

Houston (March 12, 2008) - In an apparent contradiction of federal law, the EPA today set an ozone health standard that was unfairly influenced by industry and the White House. 

EPA's sole consideration, according to the Clean Air Act, was to protect public health, and EPA's own expert scientific advisors recommended setting a lower standard. 

Tell TCEQ What you Want to See in the New Clean Air Plan for Ozone  

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is holding a public discussion regarding the state's new Clean Air Plan for Ozone, and they need to hear from you.

Ozone has been a problem in the Houston region for decades. This is a great opportunity for you to tell the TCEQ that we need a tougher plan to fight ozone pollution in our communities.

We need clean air advocates to come to the city hall annex and address the TCEQ on what can be done to clean up our air so we all can breathe easier.

Houston (Feb. 29, 2008) - The 2008 ozone season is upon us. Beginning March 1, Houston can expect to see days with high ozone levels marked by high temperatures and bright sunny skies.

Also starting this season, the Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP) is introducing a new monitoring project to provide the public with real-time information on ozone levels within and around the Greater Houston metropolitan area.

Victims of the 2005 BP Texas City explosion spoke out in opposition against the plea agreement between BP and federal prosecutors at a hearing on Feb. 4, and asked U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal to reject the agreement.

Through the federal Clean Air Act, the EPA is granted authority to require the state of Texas to take steps to protect public health by reducing ground-level ozone levels in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area.  The EPA gives Texas two goals for cleaning up the region's ozone problem:  1) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has to come up with a plan to lower ozone levels, 2) Then TCEQ has to implement the plan and ultimately lower ozone levels. 

A Guide for Residents of the Houston Region 

If you live in the Houston area, you’ve probably seen or smelled air pollution from a refinery or petrochemical plant. Perhaps you’ve even begun to think of it as a normal or inevitable part of living in the region. However, some of these pollution events are violations of state and federal air quality regulations. If the pollution bothers you, or you suspect a facility is breaking the law, you should report the air pollution incident to a local air quality agency. See the back page for contact information and other resources.