In the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.
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
Defense Department delays 54 wind projects in Texas, citing national security concerns
After years of trying to stop offshore wind projects, the Trump administration is now pausing routine federal permits for 165 land-based projects, including dozens in Texas.
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Economy
A Texas town needs Waco’s help to realize its data center dreams. It’s not going well.
Lacy Lakeview’s hasty approach to the data center project has alienated the Waco officials who would control water service to the site. “Without the City of Waco agreeing to it, Lacy Lakeview can’t do anything out there and neither can Infrakey,” State Rep. Pat Curry said. “Those guys don’t know what the hell they’re doing.”
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2026 Texas Elections
With Trump and Talarico aligned on a gas tax holiday, Cornyn gets on board
James Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, has pushed to suspend the federal gas tax amid soaring fuel costs. Cornyn previously opposed the idea.
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Data Centers in Texas
Texas Republicans have a data center problem
Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.
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Data Centers in Texas
Gas power leapfrogs wind for first time in 10 years in Texas’ grid connection queue
Data centers are largely driving the sudden rise in natural gas power projects on the waiting list to connect to Texas’ grid.
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Energy
Texas leads nation in utility shutoffs as electric bills rise, federal report finds
The state accounted for more than 3 million of the 13.4 million disconnections that occurred in the U.S. in 2024, the highest total in the country.
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Congress
Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”
The proposal is part of a package from the Casar-led Congressional Progressive Caucus focused on cost of living. It’s unlikely to go anywhere but could give Democrats a campaign blueprint.
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Data Centers in Texas
Proposed Fort Bliss data center could use more power than all of El Paso
The far East El Paso complex, which the U.S. Army wants to be operational by 2027, is one of several the Department of Defense plans to support artificial intelligence in the military.
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TribCast
TribCast: Texas’ looming data center fight
As Texas lawmakers prepare to tackle the thorny data center issue next session, what can we learn from Virginia’s experience?