The surge in seismic activity from increased underground pressure is shaking the West Texas ground and rattling longtime residents.
Erin Douglas
Erin Douglas was the climate reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2020 through 2023 where she covered the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat, drought and hurricanes. She reported on the toll flooding takes on mental health, investigated a chemical fire at an industrial facility, and covered the collapse of Texas’ power grid that led to widespread blackouts across the state. Her coverage of the Texas blackouts in 2021 was recognized by the Investigative Reporters and Editors and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Erin was previously a business and economy reporter at the Houston Chronicle where she covered labor, energy and the environment. She studied journalism and economics at Colorado State University, and her first newsroom job was interning at The Denver Post, her hometown newspaper.
Posted in
Energy
State report shows how Texas environmental agency misses industrial pollution spikes during and after storms
A more than 200-page report by Texas’ environmental agency found that the majority of pollution emitted by industrial facilities during storms occurs at a time when the state’s air monitors are offline.
Posted in
Environment
Prescribed burn gone wrong likely sparked wildfire in Bastrop County, officials say
Controlled burns, used to prevent catastrophic wildfires, are typically safe and rarely get out of control. Experts warn that burns gone awry can scare residents and compromise the critical fire management tool.
Posted in
Environment
How a Texas songbird and its endangered status became the center of a fight over the Hill Country
Scientists say a study that estimated far more golden-cheeked warblers in Texas than previously thought has been attacked and taken out of context as the state and federal government battle over the bird’s endangered status.
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Politics
Texas GOP’s voting meme shows how Trump-style messaging wins internet’s attention
The Republican Party of Texas’ meme that linked COVID-19 test wait times with waiting in line to vote is the latest example of a growing — and successful — political social media strategy, experts say.
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Politics
U.S. Capitol Police intelligence thought Louie Gohmert appeared to encourage violence before insurrection
A Capitol Police assessment flagged comments made by the Texas congressperson as a potential danger, Politico reported.
Posted in
Guides
Winters get warmer with climate change. So what explains Texas’ cold snap in 2021?
A warming earth has brought milder winters, but emerging science suggests that extreme cold spells in Texas could also result from climate change messing with complex weather processes.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winter
As state regulators and the companies that power the grid take steps to avoid another catastrophe like February’s winter storm, climate experts say this winter will likely be milder.
Posted in
Energy
Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe winter weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT estimates show
The most severe scenario considered by ERCOT for this winter — very high demand for power, extensive fossil fuel outages, and low renewable power production — does not capture the amount of power lost during February.
Posted in
Environment
“People have already died”: In Houston, residents demand relief from chronic pollution during EPA chief’s visit
During a Friday visit, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said his agency is “prepared to act” to force accelerated cleanups in historically polluted Houston neighborhoods.