Jim Malewitz

Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.

Past Contributions

Travis County Poised to File Its Own Volkswagen Lawsuit

By Jim Malewitz and Johnathan Silver Oct. 22, 2015

Travis County would be the third county to pursue litigation independent of the state's legal action against the auto company. Full Story
In Washington, Texans Continue to Question Ozone Science

By Jim Malewitz Oct. 22, 2015

As evidenced Thursday during a U.S. House committee hearing, Texas officials and lawmakers are continuing to fight against tougher federal ground-level ozone standards implemented recently by the Environmental Protection Agency. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Report: Texas Makes Strides in Energy Efficiency

By Jim Malewitz Oct. 21, 2015

After a years-long tumble, Texas has taken a major leap forward in an annual state-by-state ranking of energy efficiency policies — those aimed at slashing utility bills and carbon emissions by curbing energy use. Full Story
Texans Seem to be Happier With Electric Companies

By Jim Malewitz Oct. 21, 2015

Texans are griping less about their electricity providers, but a sharp spike in complaints against one small company may affect oilman Ray Hunt's $18 billion bid to take over the state’s largest electric transmission company. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman / Michael Kappel
Harris County to Paxton: We're Still Suing Volkswagen

By Jim Malewitz Oct. 19, 2015

Harris County has politely declined Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to drop its lawsuit against Volkswagen over the carmaker's use of software that allowed its diesel vehicles to skirt emissions limits. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Predictions of Woe from Federal Clean Air Plan Softened

By Jim Malewitz and Kiah Collier Oct. 16, 2015

President Obama’s plan to combat climate change will cause higher power prices in Texas and threaten electric reliability, but not as much as originally feared, operators of the state’s main grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas say in a new analysis. Full Story

Credit: Thomas Bougher
Austin Council Votes to Boost Solar Power

By Jim Malewitz Oct. 15, 2015

Austin is poised to dramatically expand its solar footprint after the City Council on Thursday directed Austin’s utility to line up contracts adding 600 megawatts of solar power to the city's energy mix by the end of 2019. Full Story

Credit: Andreas Demmelbauer
In Volkswagen Challenge, Paxton Wants to Do It Himself

By Jim Malewitz Oct. 12, 2015

Seeking to fight scandal-plagued Volkswagen alone, Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking two Texas counties to halt their lawsuits against the automaker. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
To Paxton's Cheers, Court Blocks EPA Clean Water Rule

By Jim Malewitz and Kiah Collier Oct. 9, 2015

A federal appeals court has blocked a major Obama administration clean water rule, handing a victory to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other states trying to drown it in court. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Texas, Oklahoma Governors Set Stakes on Red River Rivalry

By John Reynolds, Eleanor Dearman and Jim Malewitz Oct. 8, 2015

The beneficiary of the traditional wager on the outcome of the UT/OU game will be a food bank in the winning state. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond