More than 1,500 homes destroyed, two fatalities and perhaps $150 million in insured losses. That’s the latest toll from the Bastrop County Complex fire, just one of the wildfires that has scorched Texas for weeks. The Texas Forest Service reports that the fire is now 95 percent contained, and with … Continue reading
The details are few and investigation is ongoing, but for the family of an unidentified man, life will never be the same. In the early morning hours of August 16, workers on a shallow-water oil and gas production platform in the Gulf of Mexico were transferring a heaving piece of … Continue reading
In Texas, 46 fatal traffic accidents involved cell phone use by drivers in 2010, a dramatic increase over the 2006 count of 31 fatalities. Responding to similar trends nationwide, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently recommended that states act to ban almost all use of cell phones while driving. … Continue reading
In Pearsall, Texas, about fifty miles away from San Antonio, an explosion from an oil tank sent flames into the sky as clouds of smoke billowed from the disposal well site. The fire burned for over an hour and has left many to wonder what caused the fiery blaze that … Continue reading
A crude oil tank explosion caused a three-alarm blaze at a biodiesel plant in Galveston, Texas. Boiling crude oil fed the fire and required 35 firefighters to contain the flames. The accident produced dense smoke leading to the closure of nearby roadways for over four hours. Smoke on the roadways … Continue reading
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an important month for raising awareness and funds to fight this devastating disease. Every year in the United States, more than 15 thousand children under the age of 18 are diagnosed with a form of cancer. Understanding Childhood Cancer Aggressiveness: Childhood cancer can be … Continue reading
The roads in Corpus Christi, Texas, and nearby areas are suffering the side effects of hydraulic fracturing. The heavy equipment and frequent use of the roads leading to the Eagle Ford Shale formation mean extreme wear and tear. When this combines with the potential for fatigued truck drivers, residents and … Continue reading
Hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking” as it is popularly known) is an innovative technique that has allowed mining companies to reach rich, previously inaccessible oil and natural gas deposits. At a fracking site, water laced with sand and a cocktail of chemicals is injected deep underground, creating a web of fissures … Continue reading
Silica is a major component of rock, sand, and ores; it is the second most common mineral in the earth’s crust. Despite its commonness, when inhaled as a fine particle, silica is a highly toxic substance. For miners in the oil and gas industry, chemical exposure to silica dust is … Continue reading
Distracted driving has become a hot-button issue in many states across the country. While some states have moved to ban texting and talking on cellular phones without a hands-free device, others have refused to make such provisions law. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently recommended that all states ban … Continue reading
