Watch crypto leaders on the future of bitcoin mining and energy innovation in Texas
Crypto mining facilities make up the bulk of new power demand on the grid, which is projected to nearly double by 2030. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e6dfb1e0098434e760354f77d428960/03-04_Blockchain-Lead-Logo-01-v1.png){kind=logo}
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Kayla_Guo_TT_01.jpg)
Kayla Guo covers state politics and government. Before joining the Tribune, she covered Congress for The New York Times as a reporting fellow based in Washington, D.C. Kayla has also covered transportation policy for Politico and local news for The Raleigh News & Observer, and she was a part-time digital producer for The Boston Globe. She graduated from Brown University, where she studied public policy and served as editor-in-chief and president of the independent student newspaper. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She is based in Austin.
Latest Contributions
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Robert Roberson files first new appeal since his execution was delayed
The appeal includes new testimony from experts who say Roberson’s daughter died of natural causes, and cites the court’s exoneration of a man in another shaken baby syndrome case out of Dallas County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/023db18c72c4babd07b797c9793be2bc/Robert%20Roberson%20IPL%20TT%2021.jpg)
![Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston on Dec. 19, 2023. Texas death row prisoners are housed in Livingston but executed at the state prison in Huntsville, about 43 miles away.]()
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project -
As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes
Some Texans who install residential batteries, solar panels and smart thermostats can now send power back to the grid and get a credit on their bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/599947d5e6ffb6075ce7a20cccc5274a/0130%20Bandera%20Electric%20LW%20TT%2012.jpg)
![A monitoring room at the Bandera Electric Cooperative tech campus in Boerne, Texas on January 30, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ energy demand may exceed supply in 2026, but experts caution against panic
Some experts are skeptical the grid would see as much demand growth as ERCOT predicts, and other ERCOT models showed things getting tight but not tipping into a deficit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ca90f02ca5d9fafdc2ed9396474c646b/0907%20Lower%20Demand%20EL%20TT%2026.jpg)
![Air conditioning units at the Oak Timbers apartment complex in Fort Worth on Sept. 9, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
Data centers are booming in Texas. What does that mean for the grid?
As energy demand surges, largely due to crypto mining facilities, data centers and industrial electrification, Texas officials are looking at how to increase supply and shore up the grid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e91bedfac5b14a094fdfe8d9994f3c64/Data%20Center%20Cables%20REUTERS.jpg)
![Network cables can be seen in a data center.]()
Credit: Marijan Murat/dpa via REUTERS -
Texas House panel may never hear Robert Roberson’s testimony after new legal move
Attorney General Ken Paxton sought to delay legal proceedings until Jan. 13 — the day before the committee disbands — even as lawmakers vowed to continue fighting to hear from Roberson. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05417cd32d19e75f1e9c7272aa8c1264/Robert%20Roberson%20IPL%20TT%2029.jpg)
![Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston on Dec. 19, 2023. Texas death row prisoners are housed in Livingston but executed at the state prison in Huntsville, about 43 miles away.]()
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project -
Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying
The motion escalates a tense standoff between Paxton and a bipartisan Texas House committee, which had subpoenaed Roberson to testify at the Capitol on Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d1055b8b44de964f743d05122a7c564/0523%20GOP%20Convention%20EH%2053.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Texas regulators shelve an electricity market reform proposal they say does too little to shore up grid
The Public Utility Commission found that the performance credit mechanism, a financial tool the Legislature capped at $1 billion, would only marginally improve reliability of the state power grid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1dcc61eaa234b98c2cf59684de0ea3a4/0711%20PUC%20Hearing%20SF%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Public Utilities Commission Chairman Thomas Gleeson speaks during a meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2024.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time
The new subpoena comes after lawmakers say Ken Paxton’s office stalled a previous effort to get Roberson’s legislative testimony about his conviction in “shaken baby” case. Full Story
![Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston on Dec. 19, 2023. Texas death row prisoners are housed in Livingston but executed at the state prison in Huntsville, about 43 miles away.]()
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project -
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
A 2021 ruling found the oil giant committed more than 16,000 violations of the Clean Air Act at its Baytown refinery and plant. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9aeafd49e7b101956cbcba6200a45815/Baytown%20Exxon%20Explosion%20REUTERS%20TT.JPG)
![Smoke rises from a fire at Exxon Mobil's refining and chemical plant complex in Baytown on July 31, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Erwin Sweba