Port Houston Contract an Important Step Toward Reduced Emissions
Statement of Stephanie Thomas, researcher and organizer
HOUSTON — The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority voted today on the first of many expected dredging contracts for Project 11, a $1.1 billion widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel scheduled to break ground in March 2022. Notably, Port Houston included air quality as part of the scoring mechanism for proposals. Public Citizen has been pushing Port Houston officials to use clean, low-emission equipment for this massive project to help protect neighboring communities. Stephanie Thomas, researcher and organizer for Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Port Houston took an important first step today in reducing the environmental impact of Project 11. The Port’s action demonstrates a necessary commitment to community health and the environment. This new approach of considering pollution during the bidding process should extend beyond Project 11 into all future requests for proposals as the Port evaluates contractors who use heavy-duty equipment as part of their work.”