Bills aimed at adding more natural gas power to Texas grid clear Senate
Critics say the bills could lead to untold billions in added costs to customers and minimal benefits while ignoring needed efforts to reduce electricity demand. Full Story
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Emily Foxhall is The Texas Tribune's climate reporter. She joined the Tribune as an energy reporter in December 2022, focused on the state’s transition to green energy, the reliability of the power grid and the environmental impact of electricity generation. Emily is based in Houston, where she grew up. After a stint as a Tribune student intern in 2012, she began her career at the Los Angeles Times and its community papers. She later worked at the Houston Chronicle where her environmental reporting uncovered the effects of climate change and pollution on the region. She won several Texas Managing Editors awards and was part of the 2017 team that was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of Hurricane Harvey. Emily graduated from Yale University in 2013, where she studied English and was a Yale Journalism Scholar.
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![Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
With more electric vehicles expected in Texas, two bills pave the road for fast-charging stations statewide
Two bills would form the foundation for companies to build more electric vehicle charging stations across the state, supporters say. Full Story
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![Phillips 66 Electric Fueling Station charges a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck in Houston, on Friday, March 31, 2023.]()
Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune -
Appeals court says state agency set electricity prices too high during 2021 winter storm
The actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found. It’s not yet clear if the ruling will affect consumers. Full Story
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![Looking south on a snow-covered Congress Ave. in Austin on Feb. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers propose energy bill relief for Texans with $4 billion legislation
The allocation is part of a plan to add $12 billion to the current budget. It hasn’t been approved yet by the House. Full Story
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![Marfa is covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. The temperature dropped to 7 degrees on Friday morning.]()
Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune -
Shuttered Fairfield Lake State Park will reopen temporarily starting Tuesday
State officials plan to offer free day access to the property as they consider how to acquire the land before its sale. Full Story
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![State Park Police Officer Kyle Ware points at a map of Fairfield Lake State Park in Fairfield on Feb. 27, 2023.]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and senators unveil package of bills aimed at improving Texas’ power grid
The bills would allow the state to hire companies to build emergency gas-fueled power plants, among other ideas for swinging the state’s power balance away from wind and solar. Full Story
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![Nicholas Ware, a freshman computer science major at Texas State University, walks down the stairs to his dorm room on campus, which has been without consistent power for days. Feb. 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
What you need to know about Texas’ complex — but important — electricity market reform plan
The idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans. Full Story
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![El Paso Electric's natural gas-powered Newman Generating Station in El Paso on Feb. 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
“We’ve come to say goodbye”: Visitors flock to Fairfield Lake State Park on its last day
For decades the park has sat on leased land that the owner recently decided to sell. As the staff closed the gates Monday night for the last time, visitors and staff held out hope that the state could find a way to save the park. Full Story
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![Gavin Navarro, 7, pushes his brother Jonah, 8, on swings at Fairfield Lake State Park on Feb. 27, 2023.]()
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Lawsuits pile up two years after Texas’ devastating winter storm
Thousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe. Full Story
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![Cherrilyn Nedd, whose home was damaged during 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, poses for a portrait in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Friday, February 10, 2023. Lawyers expect thousands of cases will be filed against power companies, transmission and distribution utilities and ERCOT as two-year statute of limitations on Uri-related cases approaches.]()
Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune -
Texas cities debate costly infrastructure investments in age of extreme weather
Experts say local governments should prioritize extreme weather preparedness. Cost can be a deterring factor. Full Story
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![Holly Phillips, an employee at 7-Eleven, finally waits for a bus to get home after she was stuck in the store for two nights as the roads iced over and other employees were not able to come in to take over her shift as winter weather moved through Dallas on Feb. 2, 2023.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune