The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University released "Green Light to Pollute in Texas." This comprehensive report analyzes 89 new or expanding petrochemical facilities across five Texas regions.

Its stark findings reveal that 9 out of 10 facilities are planned in counties with higher concentrations of people of color and families in poverty. Nearly half are in neighborhoods among the worst 10% in the U.S. for toxic air releases. Furthermore, 93% are near other high-risk chemical plants, compounding threats of explosions, leaks, and chronic disease.

A related documentary features residents detailing how this industrial expansion has impacted their communities.

Texas is a global petrochemical hub, leading the U.S. in refining capacity and production. The Greater Houston area alone accounts for over 42% of the nation's base capacity.

This industrial concentration disproportionately affects fenceline communities, often low-income communities of color. They face increased health and environmental risks from facility expansions, which the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality frequently approves despite public resistance.

Dr. Bullard concluded the 10th Anniversary HBCU Conference.

The event marked a significant milestone for the institution.

Bryden Mitchell is a Criminal Justice major at Texas Southern University.

He is passionate about promoting equity and justice, particularly in underserved communities.

Adji Diouf is a Junior Honors Political Science major at Howard University, where she also minors in Journalism.

Her academic focus includes Environmental Justice, Water Pollution, and Climate Change.

Johnjuana Fisher, from Dallas, Texas, attends Texas Southern University.

She is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration, focusing on poverty and environmental justice.

Hello, my name is Jayla Edgar. I'm currently majoring in nursing at Prairie View A&M University.

My focus is on Environmental Justice.

I'm Evan Henderson, from Los Angeles, California. I am a senior at Texas Southern University, majoring in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

My studies emphasize Chemicals and Climate Justice.

Caszhmere Chaison is a junior majoring in Aviation Science at Elizabeth City State University.

Her academic focus includes health risks and the energy crisis.

Camryn Cummings is a graduate student at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

She is pursuing Urban and Regional Planning, with a focus on Environmental Justice.

I am Casey Kamga, a Texas Southern University senior.

My focus is Climate Change and Environmental Justice.

My name is Indigo Williams Brown. I am a senior at Hampton University, majoring in Political Science (Pre-Law track) and minoring in Marine and Environmental Science.

My academic focus areas are Environmental Justice and Marine Reserves.

Nehemiah Richardson, originally from South Park, Texas, also grew up in Pearland.

I am a Social Work major at Prairie View A&M University, focusing on social justice and health risks.

Michelle Facio-Rivera is a pre-law political science student at Winston-Salem State University.

Her academic interests include natural disasters, climate change, and water pollution.

Malachi Heywood is a rising senior Business Management major at Paul Quinn College.

His academic focus lies at the intersection of business and environmental management, dedicated to fostering sustainability for future generations.

Kynsington Chyreef Hobbs is a fourth-year Political Science and Communications double major at Morehouse College, originally from Dallas, Texas.

His studies focus on environmental justice, community quality of life, and land use.

Kirstun Porter is a sophomore at Southern University.

She is majoring in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology. Her academic focus is on Environmental Justice and Criminal Justice.

Joshua Holts, from Houston, TX, is an upcoming junior cybersecurity major at Grambling State University.

His academic focus areas include Waste By-products, Environmental Justice, Waste Management, and Water Pollution.

William Hamilton III, an Aviation Science major at Texas Southern University, is a scholar in the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College.

Sincere Harrison is a senior at Clark Atlanta University.

Their primary interests include Environmental Justice and Community Development.