At the urging of Valley Interfaith and allies, the City of Brownsville agreed to vote on a 90-day moratorium for all data center projects. Leaders are now pushing for more. 

Once again, Valley Interfaith leaders and allies organized to stop a multi-million dollar tax break for Texas LNG, a billion-dollar company seeking to build a natural gas facility at the Port of Brownsville. 

After the company applied for a $160 million tax abatement from Port Isabel ISD, leaders met with trustees, educated community members, and testified at the school board meeting. Following the testimony, the board unanimously rejected the application.

10 months after Valley Interfaith leaders in Brownsville led a community outcry about the impact of clay dust emanating from a Milwhite industrial plant on the South Padre Highway, the company agreed to cease operations in that location.

In December of 2023, Valley Interfaith leaders told graphic stories about the health impacts of  Milwhite plant operations at an assembly they organized.  In addition to new skin conditions developing among infants and adults, excessive white dust, noise and truck movement was making life intolerable for nearby residents.

"We’re literally breathing in the dust particles,” said Valley Interfaith leader Adhlemy Sanchez.

Valley Interfaith challenged the Mayor of Brownsville to address the situation, and the City of Brownsville responded.  They soon filed a lawsuit, as did the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).  On October 28, 2024 the City announced the resolution of the lawsuit, in which Milwhite Inc. agreed to stop crushing operations at their plant.

City of Brownsville and Milwhite, Inc. Reach Beneficial Resolution for Residents, City of Brownsville

Video: Valley Interfaith Leader Stories, Rio Grande Guardian 

Valley Interfaith to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Milwhite Relocation, Rio Grande Guardian [pdf]

Brownsville Leaders Sympathetic to Residents Living Next to Milwhite Industrial Plant, Rio Grande Guardian [pdf]

Valley Interfaith leaders told graphic stories at an assembly they organized to challenge the Mayor of Brownsville to address the health impacts of plant operations by the Milwhite industrial clay plant on South Padre Island Highway.  In addition to new skin conditions developing among infants and adults, excessive white dust, noise and truck movement has made life intolerable for nearby residents.  

"We’re literally breathing in the dust particles,” said Valley Interfaith leader Adhlemy Sanchez.  

The Rio Grande Guardian reports that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has fined Milwhite several times for failing to prevent "nuisance" impacts on neighbors and maintain abatement equipment. 

The assembly was held at St. Eugene Mazenod Catholic Church in Brownsville.  In attendance were City of Brownsville Mayor John Cowen and Brownsville City Commissioner Linda C. Macias, in addition to city staff.

Video: Valley Interfaith Leader Stories, Rio Grande Guardian 

Valley Interfaith to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Milwhite Relocation, Rio Grande Guardian

Brownsville Leaders Sympathetic to Residents Living Next to Milwhite Industrial Plant, Rio Grande Guardian