Organization

In April 2010 Air Alliance Houston was formed from the organizations Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP) and Mothers for Clean Air (MfCA), the completion of a nearly two year process starting in September 2008 when GHASP and MfCA joined together under the direction of one board and one executive director. Our combined mission expanded and strengthened: to reduce air pollution in the Houston region to protect public health and environmental integrity through research, education and advocacy.

The previous activities of GHASP and MfCA fit together like pieces in a puzzle to form the core of Air Alliance Houston, whose goal remains the same: to influence public policy on air quality and environmental health issues in order to protect the health of residents and improve their quality of life.

The organization maintains its solid reputation for environmental and policy expertise, monitoring environmental agency performance and flagging shortcomings. When all else fails, we will use litigation to compel agencies to enforce the law. Air Alliance Houston provides technical expertise to our nonprofit allies and to local and state leaders. We participate in regulatory and legislative processes, testify at hearings and comment on proposals. We reach out to the community to educate them about local air pollution issues as well as state and federal policy in order to bring broad grassroots pressure to bear on polluters and regulators.

We are still focused on the adverse effects of Houston area air pollution, particularly on children’s health. We continue to develop community programs to address environmental justice issues and to educate children and adults in local communities about air quality issues and prevention of exposure. We educate communities with plays, film, and interactive theater, in particular Ozone Theater, which teaches young students about air pollution—its sources, effects on health and what they can do about it.

As a unified effort working with such groups such as Industry Professionals for Clean Air (IPCA), T.E.J.A.S., Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Integrity Project, Environment Texas, Public Citizen and Sierra Club-Lone Star Chapter, we are capable of developing and providing comprehensive public policy review and opinions on air quality issues. We have a network of support and collaboration—the combined expertise of board members, existing institutions such as the local school districts, the city and county—which allows our organization to be the primary leader for clean air advocacy in the Houston region.