The Texas Oil and Gas Association and the state’s General Land Office have expanded the scope of their lawsuits against Denton. Both are taking aim at the city’s moratorium on new gas drilling in addition to the toothless fracking ban still on its books.
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
Regulators: No Evidence Wells Caused 4.0 Quake
After wrapping up a round of testing, Texas regulators say they have found no evidence that injecting oilfield waste into five disposal wells triggered the largest recorded earthquake in North Texas’ history.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Catch Up on Energy Issues From This Session
The Texas oil boom slowed during the 84th legislative session, creating implications for the state’s budget. See how lawmakers responded to volatile oil prices, local drilling ordinances and other energy issues this session in the Texas Legislative Guide.
Posted in
Politics
Ethics Commissioners: Lawmakers Went Backward in 2015
That legislative session Gov. Greg Abbott sought to devote to ethics? Texas ethics regulators are far from impressed.
Posted in
Energy
Deconstructing the Session: Victories for Oil and Gas Industry
It was a good legislative session for oil and gas companies and other Texas industries. A new bill makes it easier for companies to get environmental permits, and another bill targeted local efforts to regulate drilling. Listen to our discussion of these issues in a special episode of Texas Standard.
Posted in
Energy
Porter Takes Over as Railroad Commission Chairman
The Texas Railroad Commission has a new leader. The state’s three-member oil and gas regulator on Tuesday unanimously elected David Porter as its chairman. He replaces Christi Craddick in the largely ceremonial role.
Posted in
Economy
Despite Early Momentum, Energy Legislation Flames Out at End of Session
Who killed the House and Senate’s top energy bills? Their autopsy evokes the names of T. Boone Pickens and Koch Industries and involves plenty of squabbling between the chambers.
Posted in
Economy
EPA Finds No “Widespread” Fracking Effects on Water
A draft report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds no evidence that hydraulic fracturing has “led to widespread, systemic impacts” on the nation’s drinking water supplies, though the practice has harmed water in some cases.
Posted in
Economy
With Fracking Ban Overruled, Denton Ponders Next Steps
Frustrated Denton residents flooded a city council meeting Tuesday for a conversation about fracking that stretched late into the night. Now that state lawmakers have slapped down the city’s fracking ban, residents wonder what else they can do.
Posted in
Transportation
Abbott Touts Successful Session on Transportation
The day after lawmakers ended their legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott touted a successful session for transportation funding and issues, as he signed three bills on a heliport in Dallas.
