Texas is suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency again. This time, the state is targeting tightened standards on ground-level ozone — President Obama’s effort to cut down on smog that chokes the nation’s skies.
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.
Posted in
Energy
Spokesman: Wayne Christian Suspending Railroad Commission Bid
Wayne Christian is suspending his bid for an open seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, but he is not terminating his campaign altogether, a spokesman said Monday.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Revisit Blood Lessons, an Investigative Series on Refinery Deaths
Take a look back at Blood Lessons, a Texas Tribune/Houston Chronicle investigation into whether the nation’s oil refineries learned the lessons of the deadly explosion at BP’s Texas City plant in 2005.
Posted in
Politics
Democrats Force Congressional Candidate to Change Name on Ballot
South Texas voters will no longer be able to choose a Ruben Hinojosa to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa.
Posted in
Economy
As Oil Prices Plunge, New Scrutiny of Gas Tax Credit
By reclassifying oil wells as gas wells, producers can often claim a generous state tax credit targeting “high cost” natural gas. Now, some lawmakers say the policy deserves a fresh look.
Posted in
Economy
Big Oil’s Trouble, Drilling Rules were Top Energy Stories of 2015
Texans could hardly avoid the doom-and-gloom headlines about plummeting oil prices in 2015. But that was far from the only major storyline in energy this year.
Posted inState Government
North Texas Escapes Surge In Bankruptcy Filings
More companies are filing for bankruptcy across much of Texas this year, and the screeching halt to activity in drilling country appears to have something to do with it. But one region has escaped a spike in bankruptcies.
Posted in
Economy
Study: Barnett Shale Is Richer Than Previously Thought
North Texas’ Barnett Shale — one of the country’s largest natural gas fields and the birthplace of modern fracking — holds twice as much reachable gas as previously thought, the federal government says.
Posted in
Politics
Ruben Hinojosa Wants Ruben Hinojosa’s House Seat
One Democratic candidate to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa in Congressional District 15 is Ruben Ramirez Hinojosa, a 33-year-old University of Houston law student and U.S. Army combat veteran from McAllen.
Posted in
Economy
Railroad Commission Names New Executive Director
The Texas Railroad Commission has named Kimberly Corley as its new executive director.
