As Texas lawmakers prepare to tackle the thorny data center issue next session, what can we learn from Virginia’s experience?
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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Economy
Data center boom strains Texas homebuilders’ need for electricians
Texas builders struggle to finish new homes to meet growth as data centers with deeper pockets poach electricians.
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2026 Texas Elections
James Talarico calls for federal gas tax pause to combat surging fuel prices
A trade group argued that a federal gas tax suspension would be unlikely to show up in savings for drivers and would diminish needed infrastructure revenue.
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Energy
Low-producing oil wells linger for years, causing headaches for Texas landowners
Jackie Chesnutt, who lives outside San Angelo, is tired of pollution from nearly inactive wells. Experts say Texas rules allow companies to defer plugging wells for far too long.
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Politics
Texas oil and gas regulator Wayne Christian peddles oil-backed crypto coin
Government watchdogs raised conflict-of-interests concerns, but Christian said his involvement in the venture is “separate” from his elected position on the Railroad Commission.
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Environment
Tesla’s Gigafactory water use surges in Austin as new chip plant looms
Tesla’s Giga Texas water use jumped more than 200 million gallons — by about 60% — in two years, as massive chip plant proposal raises concerns about Austin’s strained supply.
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Energy
Record oil production in West Texas helps stabilize U.S. supply amid Iran war
Production in West Texas has helped the U.S. stabilize its demand for foreign oil amid the Iran war, despite drilling fewer oil wells.
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Data Centers in Texas
Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year
The tax break is one of the state’s costliest incentive programs and soon to be the most expensive of its kind in the nation.
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2026 Texas Elections
Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign
Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances.
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Environment
Dead gardens, dusty cars: Frustrated Corpus Christi residents take precautions as water crisis nears
The city’s water supply has been nearly depleted by a prolonged drought and a recent boom of oil refineries in the area. Locals have been limiting outdoor watering, shower time and car washes.