Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has something in common with Wendy Davis: Both are urging the Public Utility Commission of Texas to put the brakes on efforts to transform the state’s wholesale electricity market, saying the move would burden ratepayers with extra costs.
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
Solar Plant Planned for West Texas
An Arizona-based company plans to build a 22-megawatt solar plant in West Texas. When it’s up and running — officials say the plant could be online as soon as June — it will rank among the state’s largest.
Posted inState Government
Railroad Commission Hopeful Calls for Disposal Well Shutdown
Steve Brown, a Democrat running for railroad commissioner, has proposed a plan to address the earthquakes rattling North Texas: Shut down the area’s oil and gas injection wells.
Posted inState Government
In 2011 Facebook Comments, Stickland Appears to Back Unions, Gay Marriage
A candidate for the Republican nomination in House District 92 on Monday circulated Facebook comments from 2011 in which the incumbent, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, appears to speak in favor of union rights and gay marriage.
Posted inState Government
Rand Paul Endorses Stickland
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has endorsed state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, in his bid for re-election in House District 92.
Posted inState Government
Two Railroad Commission Hopefuls Report $1 Million Loans
Two candidates for railroad commissioner — Ryan Sitton and Wayne Christian — have taken out million-dollar loans, according to the latest filings.
Posted inState Government
Texas Association of Realtors Backs Two Challengers
The powerful Texas Association of Realtors on Wednesday announced a list of 46 candidates it is backing in contested primaries. Two of them are battling incumbents.
Posted in
Energy
Amid Criticism, Keystone XL’s Texas Leg Nears Start
Despite critics’ calls for more scrutiny, federal pipeline regulators say they see no reason to delay activating the Oklahoma-to-Texas leg of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which is set to be turned on next week.
Posted inState Government
Police Group Backs Cargile, Knocks Stickland
The state’s largest law enforcement association has endorsed Andy Cargile in his bid to unseat Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford.
Posted inState Government
Railroad Commission Hopeful Christian Touts Education Endorsements
Wayne Christian, a Republican candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, is touting new endorsements from several state leaders in education — an issue that has nothing to do with the office he seeks.