Clearing The Air In Texas

Current plans to improve Houston’s air quality rely on outdated andineffective policies.

1 minute read

December 13, 2000, 7:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Current plans to clean Houston’s air will come with significant social and economic costs, says a new report by Reason Public Policy Institute. According to the study, Clearing the Air in Houston: Innovative Strategies for Ozone Control and Air Quality, Texas environmental officials should explore flexible, incentive-based strategies rather than restrictive policies like construction bans, speed-limit reductions, and growth controls.In the report, Austin-based urban air-quality expert, Dr. Kenneth Green, and Lisa Skumatz, Ph.D., propose a fully integrated plan of market- and incentive-based strategies to clean Houston’s air without unduly harming the region’s economy.

Thanks to Reason Public Policy Institute

Friday, December 1, 2000 in Reason Public Policy Institute

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing