New plastic-eating enzyme could eliminate billions of tons of landfill waste
An enzyme created by engineers and scientists at the University of Texas breaks down plastics that typically take centuries to degrade in a matter of days.
Texas
First COVID-19 breath test authorized for use in U.S.
The device takes three minutes to return results and has been found to be over 90 percent accurate in detecting positive COVID-19 cases.
New technique uses plastic waste to capture CO2 emissions
The scientists from Rice University developing the technique estimate that the cost to remove CO2 from flue gas streams would be about US$21 a ton, a significant improvement over existing alternatives.
Instead of a wall, a binational park to be built at the border of Texas and Mexico
The historic project at the border of Laredo, Texas and Nueva Loredo, Tamaulipas will span six miles and focus on the conservation of the Rio Grande River.
New cancer therapy destroys advanced ovarian and colorectal tumors in mice in 6 days
Clinical trials at Rice University are expected to begin in the next few months, after results on mice were described as “very exciting.”
World’s largest green H2 hub, Hydrogen City, to open in Texas in 2026
The project planned by Green Hydrogen International will be built in phases. The first phase will come online in 2026, bringing in 2 GW of green energy production and two storage caverns.
A historically Black community in Houston will be home to largest urban solar farm in the U.S.
The solar panels will create enough electricity for about 5,000 homes annually, offsetting 120 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Construction is slated to start later this year with plans to be in operation by 2022.
Annova LNG cancels planned fracked natural gas terminal in southern Texas
“If built, Annova LNG would have destroyed wetlands, blocked a wildlife corridor threatening the survival of endangered wildlife, and put communities needlessly at risk,” said the Sierra Club in a statement.
U.S. federal judge orders record penalty against Exxon for thousands of Clean Air Act violations
A U.S. District Court judge has imposed a $14.25 million penalty to punish the company for violating the federal laws—the largest yet imposed in a Clean Air Act citizen enforcement suit.
Texas to add 35 GW of wind and solar in next 3 years
“The near-term additions — which are largely underpinned by financial security deposits for interconnection, federal tax incentives and power purchase agreements — would more than double ERCOT’s solar and wind footprint to 64 GW in just three years,” S&P Global writes.