The Hightower Lowdown

Dubya lets polluters make messes, but we pay for the clean-up; the computer industry isn't as clean as it would like us to think; and the National Academy of Scientists calls for closer scrutiny of biotech.

"...There's nothing clean about exporting toxics. For a copy of this report, call: Silicon Valley..."

March 8, 2002 News Column by Jim Hightower

The Hightower Report

Tony Mazzocchi; and Read the Fine Print

"...established in the Eighties, provides precise data on these toxics, and it is invaluable to firefighters, health specialists, environmental..."

April 11, 2008 News Column by Jim Hightower

Three-Eyed Fish Alert! Texas No. 1 in Power Plant, Mercury Emissions

Toxin linked to birth defects

"...power plant mercury emissions, based on the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory data...."

Sept. 30, 2005 News Feature by Daniel Mottola

Texas: One Dirty, Dirty State

"...new U.S. PIRG study reviews data from the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory, to which industries are required to report..."

Jan. 31, 2003 News Feature by Lee Nichols

Naked City

Dell Flunks TakeBack Test

"...card -- largely driven by the activist Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition -- grades computer manufacturers on environmental responsibility, public..."

Jan. 17, 2003 News Feature by Lee Nichols

Postmarks

Run, Max, Run

"...companies fighting against the community's right to know about toxics. I could go on, but the fact of the..."

Jan. 17, 1997 Column

Keeping Busy

Armendariz moves from the EPA to the Sierra Club, still defending the environment

"...the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, the mercury and air toxics rule, as well as other environmental regulations that the..."

Sept. 14, 2012 News Feature by Nora Ankrum

Headlines

"...• Mixed news for Texas pollution: In the latest Toxics Release Inventory, released by the Environmental Protection Agency, Texas..."

March 27, 2009 News Feature

Likes Float Attacking Governor

"...Please see www.downwindersatrisk.org. Austin is often downwind from the toxics-burners and the two old, leaky, shoddy reactors at Glen..."

May 5, 2008 Postmarks

Toxic Sweatshops Exposed by Whistle-Blower

Report released recently by coalition of public interest and environmental groups delivers incisive look at how Federal Prison Industries profits from electronic recycling and puts employees and prisoners at risk

"...right thing, said Ted Smith, who founded Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition in 1982, the predecessor to the Computer TakeBack..."

Nov. 10, 2006 News Feature by Daniel Mottola

The Hightower Report

Cleaning Up Congressional Corruption; and The Blockhead in Charge of Whistle-blower Protection

"...prison factories that expose inmates and staff to deadly toxics. In September, Smith was flown to Washington for the..."

Oct. 20, 2006 News Column by Jim Hightower

The Hightower Report

For the Love of Nature; and Our Comically Inept Congress

"...other direction. This small mountain state now emits more toxics than California, which has nearly 30 times the population!..."

April 7, 2006 News Column by Jim Hightower

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...higher than the combined total of all other air toxics. EPA's initiative encourages the elimination of unnecessary idling, the..."

Feb. 24, 2006 News Feature

Naked City

Dell Takes Green 'Baby Steps'

"...to do more. Ted Smith of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition said that his group estimates that Dell has..."

July 25, 2003 News Feature by Lee Nichols

Barton Springs Reopens, With Great Pleasure

The Statesman-spawned toxics crisis is finally over, but threats to Austin water quality remain.

April 25, 2003 News Feature by Lauri Apple

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...its own scientists as saying that hamburgers have more toxics than the sediments at Barton Springs. And our brave..."

April 4, 2003 Column

City Hall: Yes, Austin, Barton Springs Is Still Safe

One more time: City, state, and federal experts refute rash Statesman claims about Barton Springs pollution

"...The Statesman toxics crisis has, however, focused attention on if, and how,..."

April 4, 2003 News Feature by Lauri Apple

Everybody Loves a Wynn-er

Will Wynn is his own flavor of ice cream -- pure vanilla, but mixed with nuts

"...downtown. Or his recent triangulations during the Barton Springs toxics flap, which set him against City Manager Toby Futrell..."

Feb. 14, 2003 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Naked City

Headlines

"...The Barton Springs toxics crisis continued to bubble and dissipate: On Wednesday, the..."

Feb. 7, 2003 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Austin @ Large: Austin at Large: The Toxic Agenda

The Statesman's sensational report on Barton Springs is much less than meets the eye.

"...for its assertions that the city has ignored the toxics problem because it's been "distracted" by the enviro agenda..."

Jan. 24, 2003 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

Naked City

"...-- threatening human health and the environment," Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition Executive Director Ted Smith said in a press..."

Nov. 30, 2001 News Feature by Lauri Apple

Wasn't It FABulous?

Economic and environmental consequences of high tech plant closings are potentially grim.

"...The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, a California-based watchdog group that monitors the electronics..."

Nov. 2, 2001 News Feature by Amy Smith

Naked City

The Greater Chamber of Commerce wants AMD to build its next mega chip facility in Austin; Gary Bradley is calling on his friends at the Lege for help; the city's libraries have been hit with a budget crunch; Molly Ivins is glad she's left the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Austin police spokeswoman Sally Muir has moved upstairs to become Chief Stan Knee's assistant.

"...latest report card put out by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, an industry watchdog group. Save Our Springs Chairman..."

April 27, 2001 News Feature by Amy Smith

False Accusations

"...transportation reporting is required of any industry involved with toxics. Similarly, industries need to be reporting on more than..."

March 21, 1997 Column

Postmarks

Our Areas Are Sensitive

"...to increase the public's right to know about the toxics being used in the workplace, in the manufacturing of..."

Nov. 29, 1996 Column