Consumer advocates fear prepaid electricity plans could leave low-income Texans vulnerable to hidden fees and sudden electricity shutoffs. But companies that offer the plans say there is great consumer demand for them.
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 inState Government
Mayor of Quake-Shaken Town Endorses Brown for Railroad Commissioner
Reno Mayor Lynda Stokes — who has criticized the Railroad Commission’s response to the recent spate of earthquakes in and around town — has endorsed Democrat Steve Brown for Texas railroad commissioner.
Posted in
Energy
What Proposed Carbon Rules Mean for Texas
President Obama on Monday announced a plan for sweeping climate regulations that would dramatically slash carbon emissions from power plants. Here’s a look at how the rules — which are sure to be challenged — would impact Texas.
Posted inState Government
Perry Slams EPA’s Carbon Dioxide Emissions Proposal
Gov. Rick Perry has voiced his opposition to the U.S. EPA’s proposed rule, announced Monday, to slash carbon dioxide emissions from the nation’s coal power plants by 30 percent by 2030.
Posted in
Energy
Royalty Owners Get Some Tips on the Art of the Deal
For landowners and mineral owners in Texas’ hottest drilling plays, the state’s boom means long-lasting windfalls — if those lessors know what to look for in negotiating contracts. With new educational efforts, advocates for royalty owners hope to bolster their position.
Posted in
Energy
Railroad Commission Sides With Driller on Well Protest
UPDATED: The Railroad Commission on Thursday sided with Marathon Oil Company’s bid to dismiss a groundwater conservation district’s protest of its application to inject waste into part of South Texas’ Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer.
Posted inState Government
Christian Touts Rafael Cruz Support in RRC Bid
Less than one week before Election Day, Wayne Christian, in the Republican runoff for Texas railroad commission, is touting the support of Rafael Cruz, the father of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
Posted in
Energy
Perry Talks Coal, Keystone Pipeline in Letter Criticizing Obama’s Policies
In a letter to President Obama, Gov. Rick Perry accuses the president of waging a war on coal and kicking the can down the road on the Keystone XL pipeline. Perry suggests that Washington should follow Texas’ lead in spurring energy production.
Posted inState Government
Perry Endorses Miller in Ag Commish Runoff
Gov. Rick Perry has delivered his first public endorsement in a statewide primary. As expected, he is backing Sid Miller in the Republican runoff for Texas agriculture commissioner.
Posted in
Energy
Deal Sets Plan for Texas’ Largest Single Solar Facility
Recurrent Energy has signed a 20-year deal with Austin Energy to build a 150-megawatt solar farm in West Texas that would help power Austin. Expected to be completed in 2016, the facility would be the largest single solar site in the state.
