UPDATED: A radioactive waste site in West Texas has received its first truckload of transuranic waste from the federal government’s nuclear weapons program, following wildfires and a radiation leak in New Mexico.
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
Berger Endorses Sitton in Railroad Commission Race
Becky Berger, who finished third in the four-way Republican race for railroad commissioner, has endorsed Ryan Sitton in his upcoming runoff against former state Rep. Wayne Christian.
Posted inState Government
Railroad Commission Hires Seismologist
The Texas Railroad Commission has hired a seismologist to research the oil and gas industry’s ties to the spate of earthquakes that has rattled North Texans.
Posted in
Economy
Abbott, Davis Oil and Gas Records Show Contrast
Neither Greg Abbott nor Wendy Davis has spent much time talking about the energy industry and regulations. But Texans should have little trouble distinguishing their positions.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Program Has Made Gains in Spill Response
Oil spills are not uncommon in Texas waterways, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where more than 50 billion gallons of oil are transported each year. But the number of spills has declined in recent years.
Posted inState Government
TXOGA President Looney to Retire
Rob Looney, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, says he will retire from his post at the end of the year.
Posted in
Energy
Regulations Could Harm Texas’ Bid for Tesla Plant
Tesla, a manufacturer of high-end electric cars, has named Texas one of four finalists to house its planned $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. But the state’s strict auto dealership laws could hurt its chances, company officials say.
Posted in
Energy
Denton Group Seeking Fracking Ban Cites Gains
UPDATED: A group of concerned Denton residents says it has gathered enough signatures to put a proposed city ban on hydraulic fracturing on the November ballot.
Posted in
Politics
Time Lag Between Primaries and Runoffs Could Shape Races
Will primary night results carry into runoffs? Not necessarily, political observers say. A recent change in election law has prompted Texas to extend the time between primaries and runoffs.
Posted in
Energy
Hugh Daigle: The TT Interview
The University of Texas at Austin professor of petroleum and geosystems on the idea of tapping methane hydrates — an abundant source of natural gas found in rocks buried beneath the ocean’s surface.