As Austin prepares to tighten its watering restrictions to once a week later this summer, trees and lawns — not to mention the water utility’s revenues — are suffering. Long-term, Austin and nearby cities want to ensure the continued health of the Highland Lakes.
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.
Posted in
Energy
As Highland Lakes’ Levels Fall, Residents Fret
As Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis drop lower each day, worried locals are seeing their swimming coves dry up, and it’s not just because of lack of rain. Rice farmers and Central Texas cities are taking a good share of the water.
Posted in
Energy
A Clash Over Water in Central Texas
The state’s record dry spell has rice farmers, growing cities and a proposed coal plant competing for water from drought-stricken lakes. This is the first in a five-part print and radio series, “Water Fight,” with KUT News.
Posted in
Energy
In Central Texas, Dwindling Lakes and Growing Water Demand
The current drought, drier than any other October-through-May stretch in Texas history, has heightened the stakes in an already contentious long-term planning battle over water from the Highland Lakes.
Posted in
Energy
Updated: Water Deal for Proposed Coal Plant Postponed
In a victory for environmental groups, the L.C.R.A. board decided to delay the decision on whether to grant a large water contract to the proposed White Stallion coal plant near Bay City.
Posted in
Energy
LCRA Moves Swiftly to Name New Boss
The board of the Lower Colorado River Authority wasted no time in naming a long-time staffer to take over as the organization’s general manager, following the resignation of Tom Mason a week ago.
Posted in
Energy
LCRA Boss Resigns
The general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority announced his resignation Tuesday, setting off a potential battle over the future of the enormous Central Texas wholesale electricity and water supplier.
Posted in
Energy
82nd Lege Session a Good One for Energy Efficiency
The Legislature passed a handful of energy-saving measures this session, ranging from allowing churches access to an energy-efficiency loan program to recalibrating a statewide efficiency program.
Posted in
Energy
With Little Help From Austin, Texas’ Solar Use Grows — Slowly
Renewable energy companies are looking to this big, sunny state as the next frontier for solar power. But solar is expensive, and once again the Legislature did not pass a statewide solar incentive. Some companies and communities are forging ahead nonetheless.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway
The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting.
