In the next few years, about 40 percent of the employees at the state’s largest nuclear power plant will be eligible for retirement, so the company is racing to recruit new specialists.
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
Generator-Backed Group Calls for Energy Market Overhaul
An electric utility-backed political action committee was launched this week, warning that Texas faces dire consequences unless regulators overhaul the wholesale energy market.
Posted in
Economy
Oil and Gas Industry Opposes Energy Market Overhaul
The Texas Oil and Gas Association, the state’s largest and oldest petroleum organization, has told regulators it opposes an overhaul of the wholesale energy market.
Posted in
Economy
Houston Tightens Building Code to Boost Energy Efficiency
The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved changes to its building code requiring that new homes be more energy efficient.
Posted in
Economy
With Implications for Oil and Gas, Justices Weigh Underground Trespassing
The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday grappled with the concept of underground trespassing as it heard oral arguments in a groundwater case that the oil and gas industry says could significantly impact production.
Posted in
Energy
Railroad Commission to Hire Seismologist to Study Drilling-Quake Link
The Texas Railroad Commission said it would hire a seismologist to research the link between earthquakes and disposal of oil and gas waste in injection wells.
Posted in
Energy
ERCOT: Rolling Blackout Threat Averted After Cold Snap Strains Grid
As a deep chill grips much of Texas, the state’s electric grid operator is asking consumers to reduce their energy use, though a brief threat of rolling blackouts has been averted.
Posted in
Economy
After Surprise Quakes, North Texans Discuss Impact, Concerns
After a contentious town hall meeting concerning the possible links between wastewater injection and a spate of North Texas earthquakes, locals say they cannot afford to wait for state regulators to address the issue.
Posted in
Energy
Report: EPA Followed Rules in North Texas Drilling Case
The EPA correctly followed protocol when it accused a Fort Worth-based driller of contaminating two Parker County water wells, the agency’s internal watchdog says in a new report.
Posted in
Year in Review 2013
Year in Review: Energy
Oil and gas production, pipelines, the Railroad Commission and questions about Texas’ energy grid all grabbed headlines in 2013.