Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Thursday instructed the Senate Natural Resources Committee to study a number of environmental issues, including federal and state regulations and brackish water desalination.
Neena Satija
Neena Satija worked at the Tribune from 2013 to 2019. She was an investigative reporter and radio producer for the Tribune and Reveal, a public radio program from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Previously, she was the environment reporter at the Tribune. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, she graduated from Yale University in 2011, and then worked for the New Haven Independent, the Connecticut Mirror, and WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio. She has also been a regular contributor to National Public Radio. As an East Coast transplant she is particularly thrilled with Austin tacos and warm weather.
Posted in
Energy
Edwards Aquifer Plan Receives High Honor at Turbulent Time
A plan meant to balance the needs of the Edwards Aquifer’s 2 million water users with those of threatened species will receive a national award Thursday, but the state’s severe drought could hinder the proposal’s success.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Water Development Board Member Resigns
Mary Ann Williamson, one of three members of the Texas Water Development Board appointed by Gov. Rick Perry last summer, has resigned. Her departure comes at a transitional time for the agency.
Posted in
Energy
In Ag Commissioner Race, GOP Hopefuls Expand Field of Talking Points
Republican candidates in the crowded field for agriculture commissioner could benefit from talking about a lot more than agricultural issues, and some are relying on that strategy more than others.
Posted inState Government
Ethics Commission Investigating Sid Miller
Republican agriculture commissioner hopeful Sid Miller is being investigated by the Texas Ethics Commission for at least two different potential campaign finance improprieties. He maintains he did nothing wrong.
Posted inState Government
Perry Appoints Zak Covar to TCEQ Commission
Rick Perry has appointed Zak Covar, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s current director, to be its third Commissioner after Carlos Rubinstein left the position last August.
Posted in
Energy
Border Towns Struggle With Water Infrastructure
A dispute in a South Texas border town that could keep hundreds of children out of school on Monday illustrates the struggles that small border communities face in upgrading long-neglected water and sewer systems.
Posted in
Beneath the Surface
Brackish Water Abounds, but Using It Isn’t Simple
There are an estimated 880 trillion gallons of brackish water underneath the state’s surface. But using the salty resource can be tricky: Treating it carries a hefty price tag, and the oversight of its withdrawal isn’t clear-cut.
Posted in
Economy
Farms Aren’t Going Away, but Many Little Ones Are
More Texans are leaving farming and ranching because of opportunities in urban areas, increased land prices and concerns about weather patterns fueled by drought.
Posted in
Year in Review 2013
Year in Review: Environment
The drought dominated environmental headlines in Texas this year, along with rising concerns about the consequences of fracking and, as always, growing disputes between Texas and the feds.