Austin saw the largest decrease in ozone pollution during its stay-at-home order, while Houston was average and El Paso had the smallest reduction.
HARC in the News
HARC serves as a valuable resource for both the private and public sector. Here you will find the latest news regarding HARC's research in the areas of air quality, water quality, clean energy, and resilience. HARC's communications department is ready to assist you with interview and research requests, press releases, media resources, and recent coverage of HARC.
For more information, please contact:
Kacey Wilkins, Communications and Marketing Specialist: 281-364-6092; email: harcmedia@harcresearch.org
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Sunday, May 3, 2020
The Climate Action Plan, introduced on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, is the product of more than a year of discussions among the city and representatives from the business sector, academia, environmental organizations and the community.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Research shows the Greater Houston area’s air quality improved amid the coronavirus pandemic, but a Houston-area organization said air quality in communities located near major industrial sectors still needs attention.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
The City of Houston’s first Climate Action Plan is targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
Friday, April 24, 2020
Houston has created a Climate Action Plan. This is what it means for transportation, energy and building.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston’s Office of Sustainability today released the Houston Climate Action Plan.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Houston’s first Climate Action Plan calls on the city’s 4,600 energy companies to lead the transition to renewable sources, while residents are asked to swap car rides for mass transit and work to cut down on the estimated seven pounds of waste each person discards every day.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Fort Bend County residents are strongly practicing social distancing by traveling less during this coronavirus outbreak, according to a Houston-area study.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Experts at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) are working on the data describing air quality, regional mobility, and energy demand to find out the extent of regional and statewide changes because of the and results of stay-at-home orders.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
The history of the villages in The Woodlands and the neighboring cities of Shenandoah and Oak Ridge North can only be traced back about five decades, but the formation of these communities took place on land that has seen wilderness transformed into lumber mills, railroads and, finally, into residential areas in the past century.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
HARC to host educational seminar on Feb. 20 to discuss how to tackle the growing feral hog population and will feature guest speaker Chris Watts, a wildlife damage management biologist with the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension and the Texas Wildlife Services Program.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Houston’s trees are showing off. They’re popping with sunshine yellows, luxurious reds and rare, breathtaking bright oranges. And their performance, which peaked last week, has been turning heads: While it’s not totally atypical to see these colors in Southeast Texas, it is unusual to see so much.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Nestled in the woods at the corner of Gosling and Research Forest is HARC (the Houston Advanced Research Center). It is a nonprofit research hub providing independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues with research activities that support implementation of policies and technologies that promote sustainability.
Monday, November 18, 2019
Dr. Gavin Dillingham provides insight on the Electric reliability Council of Texas’ Capacity, Demand, and Reserves Report recently released.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Dr. Gavin Dillingham provides insight on the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance’s recent study on distributed energy sources.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Volume IV of Interfaith’s The Book The Woodlands celebrates the many acts of service that are deeply woven into the fabric of our community. As we honor the vision and work of those before us, Interfaith will continue to be a connector of resources and needs, a shining beacon of light and service in our community.
Friday, October 11, 2019
For the fifth straight year since its inception, the Galveston Bay report card, released in August, shows Texas’ largest estuary has earned an overall C grade, evidence of its resiliency to the effects of the historic storm.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Other states were harder hit by the spill, but Texas is still receiving millions of dollars that can be used for vital restoration and conservation efforts.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Our state’s largest estuary, with a watershed that stretches all the way to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and includes half the Texas population, has once again received its annual grade from the Galveston Bay Foundation, in collaboration with the Houston Advanced Research Center and the Houston Endowment.
Monday, September 2, 2019
We know Galveston Bay is beautiful, but is it making the grade when it comes to overall health? Morning Dose's Maggie Flecknoe gives us a first-look at the 2019 Galveston Bay Report Card ahead of its official release.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Every year, new challenges arise in Galveston Bay--whether it's floods, storms, oil spills, fishery closures and habitat loss. Galveston Bay Foundation and Houston Advanced Research Center presented the overall health of Galveston Bay yesterday.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Wetlands and water quality in and around Galveston Bay took a dip last year after significant loss of habitat and increased levels of phosphorous, according to the newly release 2019 Galveston Bay Report Card.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
For the fifth straight year, GBF rated the overall condition of the bay with a grade of "C."
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
The annual research by the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Houston Advanced Research Center notes the loss of wetlands, a decline in water quality and sea level rise as areas of concern.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
The overall health of the Galveston Bay is adequate for now, but scientists and environmental leaders are pushing to improve the ecosystem’s quality over the coming years.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
For the past five years, Galveston Bay received a “C” rating report card on its environmental condition. This is the first report after the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Harvey.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
The water quality in Texas’ largest estuary worsened in 2018, a report released Wednesday stated, owing to higher concentrations of pollutants in regional watersheds and bayous and possible lingering effects from Hurricane Harvey.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Amid concerns about the limited federal response to climate change, the city of Houston released a multifaceted draft plan on the issue.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
HARC Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Dr. Meredith Jennings, speaks with Houston Chronicle.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
House Bill 2571, a piece of legislation written by state Rep. Steve Toth, R-Woodlands, and Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, and sponsored by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, to designate portion of I-45 as the George P. Mitchell Memorial Highway.
Friday, July 12, 2019
CW39 Morning Dose's Maggie Flecknoe straps into a life jacket and hits the open water with members of the Galveston Bay Foundation.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
HARC Research Associate, Ryan Bare, Speaks to Community Impact about Resilient Development.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EfTA) hosted its annual summer Student Internship Program (SIP) luncheon presented by Sam Houston State University on Tuesday, June 25th at the Lone Star College Community Building.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Dr. Stephanie Glenn and Dr. Erin Kinney discuss last month's spill of gasoline product into the Houston Ship Channel.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
HARC and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club leaders celebrated the completion of a sustainability project signifying a major step toward HARC’s goal of achieving a highly regarded Net Zero Energy (NZE) status.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
HARC and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club leaders celebrated the completion of a sustainability project signifying a major step towards the organization’s goal of achieving a highly regarded net zero energy (NZE) status.
Sunday, May 5, 2019
HARC supports Galveston Bay Foundation to produce Galveston Bay Report Card, read to learn how you can help address trash in Galveston Bay.
Monday, April 29, 2019
HARC hostsworkshops on flaring mitigation.
Monday, April 15, 2019
The Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium released dual reports - HARC staff contributed to both.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Join HARC’s community partner, the Galveston Bay Foundation for their annual Trash Bash on March 30, 2019.
Friday, February 1, 2019
HARC research and researchers featured in 6-part series focused on the health of coastal wetlands.
Friday, February 1, 2019
HARC’s award-winning headquarters featured in writeup on ULI Houston’s Development of Distinction program.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
On January 29, HARC’s headquarters won ULI Houston’s Development of Distinction.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Dr. Erin Kinney speaks to reporters on the impact of proposed development in Kingwood.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
HARC successfully implements a whole-building life-cycle assessment to reduce embedded emissions and push towards a "zero-carbon" building.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Dr. Gavin Dillingham interviewed by Houston Matters host, Craig Cohen, to discuss United Nations report on climate change.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
HARC has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Lisa Gonzalez, HARC’s President and CEO, was invited to speak at The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership ‘s (EDP) Quarterly Partner Luncheon September 20, 2018.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
HARC will partner with City of Houston to develop its Climate Action Plan. “In follow up to our work on the City of Houston’s Sustainability Action Plan, this initiative will support environmental sustainability community-wide,” states Dr. Gavin Dillingham, HARC's Program Director, Clean Energy Policy.
Monday, September 10, 2018
National environment experts address how the public and private sectors can help Houston prepare for next Hurricane Harvey at HARC's People & Nature Speaker Series.
