While we strive to ensure that all of our events are current and accurate, please always check to ensure that the event is still scheduled and that the information below is correct.

• Slime Workshop! All Ages Tuesday, Dec. 24 | 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
  Click for info

• Bayou Bowl Mont Belvieu Eagle Stadium, Sat., Jan. 4th, 1:00 p.m

• Deaf Social Where Bakery - Jan. 4th - 11 am @ 
  Heart & Whisk Bakery 4618 N. Main St., Baytown

• West Chambers Deaf Social – Jan. 11th @ 11 am. @
  The Toasted Yolk in Mt. Belvieu 13001 I-10 East

• Baytown Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event- Sat., Jan. 11, from 9am to 2pm at 1200 Lee Drive 

• Mont Belvieu Market at the Park, Sat. Jan. 11th- 8am - Noon

• GCM FFA Buckle Bash Jan. 19th @ 9 am - Baytown Youth Fair & Livestock Assoc. - 7900 N. Main, Baytown Click for details

• Mont Belvieu Fish Fest 2025 - Jan. 25th - 8am - Noon Tickets

• Daddy and Me Dance - Sat. Feb. 1st - 2-8 pm @ Baytown Community Center
  Tickets

  
  
  

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Baytown Chemical Fire Spurs
Criminal Investigation by HPD

A chemical fire at Bluebonnet Petrochemical Solutions in Baytown on Dec. 10 has escalated into a criminal investigation, according to the Houston Police Department’s environmental division.

Environmental Concerns Lead to Investigation

Though the fire was extinguished quickly, concerns grew as Harris County Flood Control began monitoring potential chemical discharges into an adjacent bayou. Officials discovered evidence suggesting employees were attempting to soak up the chemical without stopping the leak, prompting HPD to investigate for possible water pollution violations.

Ongoing Cleanup and Testing

Cleanup efforts along the affected bayou are ongoing. Initial tests by Harris County have identified industrial detergents in the waterway, though officials have stressed that risks to residential well water remain low due to the depth of most wells. Testing results from water samples are still pending.

Next Steps

Houston Police have just begun their investigation, with no charges filed as of yet. The focus remains on determining whether unauthorized or illegal discharges occurred.

This developing story highlights the importance of environmental compliance and the potential consequences when protocols are not followed. Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation progresses.

If you missed our previous articles you can read them here:
Issue 56
Issue 59
Issue 61

ExxonMobil Secures $11M for
Hydrogen-Based Carbon Reduction
Project in Baytown

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has awarded ExxonMobil’s Baytown Olefins Plant Carbon Reduction Project more than $11 million to kickstart its innovative initiative aimed at cutting emissions through hydrogen use.

A Game-Changer in Ethylene Production

The project focuses on replacing natural gas with hydrogen as fuel for high-heat-fired equipment, utilizing cutting-edge burner technology in the ethylene production process. According to OCED:

• The equipment modifications could use up to 95% clean hydrogen fuel.

• This could potentially eliminate 2.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually, representing more than 50% of the plant’s total emissions.

• The project could also reduce 200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions annually.

Federal Backing and Goals

This funding, part of a larger $331.9 million federal cost share, supports the initial phases of the project. These include:

• Engineering and design activities

• Community engagement efforts

• Completion of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements

This innovative approach highlights ExxonMobil’s efforts to tackle emissions at scale while advancing clean energy technology in industrial processes.

North Main Street Improvements Update 🚧

Take advantage of the pause as your drive will be a little smoother thanks to the construction on North Main Street. While the project isn’t complete, northbound lanes between Archer Road and Hunt Road will reopen temporarily for the holidays.

What’s Next?

Starting Monday, January 6, construction crews will resume concrete panel repairs and pavement restoration. Temporary lane closures will be in place to allow the team to safely complete the work.

Thank you for your patience as they work to enhance North Main Street for a smoother and safer driving experience!

Friday’s Quiz - What is the term for the phenomenon where the Moon appears slightly larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is higher in the sky?
Answer: The Moon Illusion is a psychological phenomenon where the Moon appears larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is directly overhead. This effect is not due to any actual change in the Moon’s size or distance but rather how our brain perceives the Moon's size in relation to the horizon and surrounding objects.