As the U.S. pushes to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, Texas companies prepare to capitalize on the state’s emerging lithium industry.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Residents and industry leaders at odds over transmission lines at legislative hearing
The growing backlash surrounding 765 kv lines, as well as data centers, was tackled at a nine-hour House hearing that included testimony and recommendations but no definitive answers.
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Energy
Texas will audit up to 300 projects, mostly data centers, after Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
The state’s power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott’s directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.
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Economy
Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
Without key details on the audits but the eagerness to support them, policy watchers question how impactful these audits will be in curbing data center growth.
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TribCast
TribCast: Could rural rage really swing a statewide election?
In this week’s episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and economy reporter Paul Cobler. They discuss the anger in rural Texas over data centers and power lines, and ask Miller why he thinks it means Democrats could win a statewide race in November.
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Data Centers in Texas
Here’s how to find information about data centers in Texas
What information is accessible about a data center project can differ from place to place and depend on whether a project seeks out tax breaks, whether it needs local rezoning or special permits, and how it will get its power and water.
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Data Centers in Texas
While data centers boom in Texas, their plans stay shrouded in secrecy
Data center developers can use nondisclosure agreements and shell companies to shield the details of their deals from the public. Even state officials also say they need more transparency from the industry.
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Energy
Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
On Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.
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Energy
Texas lawmakers want to halt plan to build high-voltage transmission lines across the state
Amid a backlash, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a chorus of state senators said the the state’s plan for building new high-voltage transmission lines needs to be changed as the oil and gas industry faces an electricity shortage.
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Environment
Paxton lawsuit prompts end of federal endangered species protection for Texas lizard
The state’s attorney general sued the Biden administration in 2024, citing incomplete data for the updated endangered status of the Permian Basin’s native dunes sagebrush lizard.