These are some of the stories we’ve been following this week.
The tax assessor for Porter Ranch is looking into tax relief for the thousands of property owners affected by the methane leak that was discovered in October.
- The methane gas leak near Porter Ranch, California has made headlines. However, it isn’t the only place where methane is leaking into the air—studies show the problem is widespread and underreported. We’ve written about efforts to address the problem before.
- A recent study has identified an environmental justice issue in southern Texas. Oil and gas wastewater disposal wells in the Eagle Ford shale formation are disproportionately located in areas of high poverty and with a high proportion of minority residents.
- The EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa program has been renewed through September 2016, but legislators are looking to revise the program to improve oversight. The Senate Judiciary Committee had a hearing on February 2 to discuss the issues.
- It’s been 2 years since the Dan River coal ash spill in North Carolina, and cleanup efforts are still underway.
- Homeowners in Flint, Michigan who are hoping to sell their homes in the near future face an uphill battle, thanks to the recent water contamination that has made national news.
- Property owners in Louisiana have filed a lawsuit against a railroad company because they are concerned about possible water contamination.
- Lawmakers in Virginia are working to reform the car-title lending industry to prevent predatory lending practices.
- Lac-Mégantic, the town in Quebec, Canada that was devastated by an oil train explosion in 2013, will not have oil trains passing through it until next year.
- A survey shows that many residents of the United Arab Emirates would like to purchase homes, but despite falling prices, 54% of respondents felt they didn’t have enough money to buy.
- A real estate agent in Auckland, New Zealand was fined for holding viewings in a home contaminated by methamphetamine. The agent claimed he knew the former owner was a gang member but was unaware of the drug issue until after the open house.
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