A site near Amarillo operated by the federal government produces about a third of the world’s helium, which is needed for MRIs and semiconductors. Lawmakers are looking to keep vital sales of the gas from being interrupted.
Kate Galbraith
Kate Galbraith covered energy and environment for the Tribune from 2010 to 2013. Previously she reported on clean energy for The New York Times from 2008 to 2009, serving as the lead writer for the Times' Green blog. She began her career at The Economist in 2000 and spent 2005 to 2007 in Austin as the magazine's Southwest correspondent. A Nieman fellow in journalism at Harvard University from 2007 to 2008, she has an undergraduate degree in English from Harvard and a master's degree from the London School of Economics. She is co-author of “The Great Texas Wind Rush,” a book about how the oil and gas state won the race to wind power.
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Energy
With the Rio Grande Dry, El Paso Turns to Water Alternatives
The Rio Grande, which supplied 39 percent of El Paso’s water last year, is dry near the city — a situation that has not occurred for nearly 10 years. El Paso is pumping more groundwater and cranking up its desalination plant.
Posted in
Energy
Keeping the Lights on in Texas
Of crucifixions, sagebrush lizards, political primaries and brownouts.
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Energy
GOP Candidates for Railroad Commission Share a Target: The EPA
One overriding theme unifies the multiple Republican candidates for two Texas Railroad Commission slots: The Environmental Protection Agency has overreached and must be scaled back.
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Energy
EPA’s Armendariz Resigns Days After “Crucify” Comment Surfaces
The resignation of Al Armendariz, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Southwest region, was met with regret by environmental groups and relief in the oil and gas industry.
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Energy
Solar Panels for Fort Bliss, Fort Hood? Why Not, Bases Say of Green Efforts
Fort Bliss has launched a massive effort to cut its net energy and water usage and reduce waste as part of a focus on self-sufficiency. Fort Hood is also working to go greener, but high upfront costs pose challenges.
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Energy
Perry Slams EPA Official’s “Crucify” Comment
A video going viral shows Al Armendariz, who heads the EPA regional office that includes Texas, likening his job in 2010 to the crucifixion actions of the Romans — comments Gov. Rick Perry says are “unacceptable and offensive.”
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Energy
Pat Wood: The TT Interview
The former chairman of the Public Utility Commission, a Port Arthur native, discusses the reasons behind the long-term power crunch in Texas, his role in the wind boom and the future of solar power.
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Energy
Texas Sees Renewed Push for Uranium Mining
Texas is one of the nation’s only producers of uranium, and mining companies are gearing up for expansion. That’s causing concern among environmental groups, some of which have been battling uranium mining for decades.
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Energy
National Parks Are Focus of Planned Haze Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency is rolling out a rule aimed at improving air quality above national parks like Big Bend by focusing on big industrial plants.
