A report from the state climatologist finds that the state is experiencing hotter days with less relief from high temperatures at night.
Climate Change in Texas
As Texans confront rising temperatures, declining water supplies, increasingly severe weather events, sea level rise and more, follow The Texas Tribune’s coverage as we investigate what climate change means for the state’s residents, how cities and communities are adapting, and the politics and policies that will accelerate — or block — climate solutions.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas regulators want to prepare the state’s electricity grid for extreme weather. But that’s a moving target in a warming world.
The state plans to use past weather data to craft rules for power plant upgrades. Scientists warn that the accelerating effects of climate change make relying on old data alone insufficient.
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Climate Change in Texas
San Antonio built a pipeline to rural Central Texas to increase its water supply. Now local landowners say their wells are running dry.
A pipeline helped secure water for San Antonio for decades to come — at a potentially high cost to some rural residents who are losing groundwater to the big city. Is it a preview for the rest of the state as climate change brings more water scarcity and cities keep sprawling?
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs law to bar city climate plans from banning natural gas as fuel source
House Bill 17 is a response to a trend in California, where cities have passed energy efficiency plans that prohibit new subdivisions from offering natural gas heating in order to reduce emissions.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature advances bills to shield oil and gas from climate initiatives
“Oil and gas is the lifeblood of the Texas economy,” state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, said on the House floor Monday.
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Texas Legislature 2021
In oil-rich Texas, GOP lawmakers push bill to punish Wall Street for fossil fuel disinvestments
The bill would direct state investment funds to divest from companies that cut ties with fossil fuel companies, pitting Texas against some increasingly carbon-conscious Wall Street investors.
Watch: “It’s getting worse.” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner discusses the fight against climate change.
Turner was named chair of the Climate Mayors coalition in January. At a Texas Tribune event Thursday, he discussed preparing cities for climate emergencies.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas House Democrats launch climate, environment caucus with one goal: Talk about climate change in the Legislature
The climate, environment and energy caucus aims to start a conversation in the Legislature on how Texas can prepare for climate change and take advantage of the transition to cleaner energy sources.