Energy

Billionaire Warren Buffet has been outbid in his effort to buy Texas’ largest transmission utility. A California-based energy conglomerate has swooped in with an $18.8 billion proposal to buy coveted Oncor. 

 

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U.S. District Judge David Hittner slapped the the energy giant with a $19.95 million penalty in April for spewing millions of pounds of hazardous pollutants from a Houston-area industrial complex.

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The Texas House has given early approval to a bill that would allow property owners to plant new trees to offset municipal fees for tree removal on their land.

 

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After struggling to pay sky-high power line rates for more than three years, thousands of rural Texans are set to get relief.

 

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Environmental groups are taking the EPA to court, alleging the federal agency isn't properly policing Texas air pollution permits they argue are too lax and complicated.

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Texas industrial polluters rarely face sanctions when they spew noxious chemicals into the air during malfunctions and other unplanned incidents, exceeding the emission limits of their state-issued air permits.

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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Texas rivers art exhibit at the Capitol, restoring the glass-bottom boats in San Marcos and an interview with Aaron Wolf of Oregon State University.

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Between 2006 and 2015, the last year for which data is available, residential electric prices for Texans who live in a competitive market decreased by 17.4 percent, while prices increased by 5.5 percent in other areas.

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Warren Buffet is making a play for Texas’ largest electric transmission utility. Berkshire Hathaway, his multinational conglomerate, has unveiled a deal to buy Oncor. 

 

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A Republican lawmaker fears a new Texas law that allows the hunting of wild pigs and coyotes from hot air balloons could lead to “future catastrophes” without increased oversight of commercial ballooning. 

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Cheap, imported solar panels have fueled growth in the solar industry in Texas, and reinvigorated the careers of laid-off oilfield workers. Some industry leaders fear a trade case will increase prices and end that growth. 

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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Zebra mussels are found in Lake Travis, a new approach to wastewater treatment and an interview with Carrie Kasnicka of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust.

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A federal judge has blocked the purchase of the company that runs Texas' only nuclear waste dump — a setback in its proposal to accept spent nuclear fuel from across the country. 

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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Zebra mussels are found in Canyon Lake, a debate on the benefits of off-channel reservoirs and an interview with Marcus Gary of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.

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Dozens of cities and towns in Texas have ordinances aimed at protecting trees. During the special legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott wants to change that. 

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After the EPA announced that the implementation of new, stricter standards for ozone levels in the air will be delayed a year, the city of San Antonio is forging ahead with plans to reduce emissions.

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Eighteen months ago, we asked the government for documents that should have shed a lot of light on Houston's vulnerability to a massive hurricane. After finally receiving them, it turns out the documents are basically useless. 

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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Trump's proposed border wall threatens wetlands in Presidio, a controversy at the comptroller's office over handling of rare species and an interview with Kate Zerrenner of the Environmental Defense Fund.

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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: A closer look at the regulatory structure of interbasin transfers, the Senate moves to protect the San Marcos River and an interview with Ashleigh Acevedo, an attorney at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C.

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Facing sky-high electricity rates, several West Texas churches hope lawmakers will answer their calls for relief in the final days of the Legislative session, but the odds look slim.  

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