RELEASE: Environment Texas opens Dallas office, publishes recommendations for city

New Dallas environmental program recommends city protect DART funding, make it easier to go solar, invest in parks and more

DALLAS – Environment Texas announced on Thursday the opening of a new Dallas office and a set of recommendations for the city to adopt. The new office comes after the nonprofit advocacy and research organization succeeded in their campaign to pass Prop 14 last November, which allocated $1 billion to Texas state parks.

The new office will conduct environmental advocacy and research in cities across North Texas, beginning with Dallas. To celebrate, Ian Seamans, the Dallas City Hall Advocate, released a set of policy recommendations for the city that would address clean air, water, energy and open spaces.

“As partisan politics deadlock solutions at the state level, cities must act to provide a livable environment to their citizens. Our new municipal advocacy program is built to push cities towards common-sense solutions, beginning with our 2024 Agenda for Dallas,” said Seamans.

One of the recommendations is for Dallas to adopt SolarAPP+, a free web-based portal developed by the Department of Energy, which automates permitting on residential rooftop solar installations. Dallas currently takes an average of 22 days to permit a new installation, while SolarAPP+ could automate the process, saving money and time for residents and the permitting department.

Other common-sense solutions include policies to reduce sprawling development, quickly and efficiently implement the $345 million parks bond, inform residents about federal energy efficiency incentives and keep DART fully funded.

The recommendations come at a time when North Texas is experiencing severe ozone pollution above legal limits, high levels of bacteria in major waterways and skyrocketing temperatures due to climate change.

“Despite the challenges we face, there are enormous opportunities to implement solutions that will protect our residents and our environment, even while saving money,” said Seamans. “To meet the city’s ambitious climate goals and tackle severe air pollution, unswimmable waterways and disappearing wildlife habitat, it is time for action.”

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