Justices Prolong North Texas Fracking Battle
In the latest chapter of a long-running legal fight, a Fort Worth oil and gas company has received permission from the Texas Supreme Court to pursue defamation damages from a Parker County man. Full Story
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![Steve Lipsky shows the methane contamination of his well by igniting the gas with a lighter outside his family's home in Parker County near Weatherford, Texas on June 17, 2014.]()
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Nonprofits Crowdfunding Power to the People
Trying to create a "new direction in the energy sector," a computer scientist in Austin is using crowdfunding to help low-income Texans pay their electricity bills. Full Story
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![A micro-home at Community First Village, a 27-acre community that will house some 250 chronically homeless Austinites. Gridmates, a nonprofit, is using crowdfunding to foot electricity bills at the village.]()
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Video: Crowdfunding Powers Energy Bill Assistance Effort
You’ve heard of crowdsourcing funding for nonprofits. Now one person is testing his online platform in Texas to crowdsource money to help people pay their energy bills in a new Travis County community. Full Story
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New in Trib+Water: Problematic Fracking Data
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: One study finds inconsistent policies on fracking, another finds industry-supplied fracking data is incomplete and an interview with Yongli Gao of the Center for Water Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Full Story
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Study: Gas Activities "Most Likely" Caused Texas Quakes
Gas industry activity “most likely” triggered a series of earthquakes that shook two North Texas towns from late 2013 through early 2014, new peer-reviewed research shows. Full Story
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![Kaylen Holmesly, a 7th grade resident of Azle, Texas, testifies before the Texas Railroad Commission and voiced her concern about an increased number of earthquakes around Eagle Mountain Lake on January 21st, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Will Texas Ever Change Railroad Commission Name?
A group of lawmakers is trying – again – to change the Railroad Commission's name to reflect what it does. This time, proponents want to call the agency the Texas Energy Commission. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Lawmaker Urges Colleagues to Act on Climate Change
Pressing Texas leaders to act on climate change, a state lawmaker on Monday appealed to his colleagues' long-held disdain for federal intervention. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-103) speaks with reporter on House floor. February 8th,2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas House Approves "Denton Fracking Bill"
UPDATED: The Texas House on Friday approved House Bill 40, which would pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of oil and gas activities. Full Story
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![State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, lays out HB 40 that would curb local control over oil and gas activities on April 17, 2015. With a 122-18 vote, the House sent the bill to the Senate.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Shark Fin Ban Back on the House Menu
A proposal to ban the trade of shark fins in Texas sailed through the Texas House on Wednesday, but it faces choppier waters ahead: the Texas Senate, where similar legislation foundered in 2013. Full Story
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![A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin.]()
Credit: Ryan McCrimmon -
Senate Votes to End Renewable Energy Programs
The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would close the book on two programs that helped fuel the state’s years-long surge in wind energy production. Full Story
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![A wind farm near Abeline, TX, April 5, 2011]()
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Tesla Makes Sales Pitch to House Panel
At a packed committee hearing Monday evening, advocates for Tesla Motors told a panel of Texas House members that it was time to bring state laws into the 21st century and let the company sell its luxury electric cars in Texas. Full Story
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![Tesla vehicle on display outside the Texas Capitol on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Despite Rocky Start, Agriculture Commissioner Defends His Record
A collection of unflattering headlines has lawmakers and one of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's predecessors questioning whether the world-champion calf roper was ready to steer a billion-dollar agency. But Miller is brushing off the criticism. Full Story
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![Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Universities, Water Providers Launch Conservation Effort
With a third of Texans still facing drought conditions, a coalition of Texas universities and water providers has launched an $8 million effort to curb water use in cities. Full Story
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![Screenshots of the University Municipal Water Consortium's smart phone app.]()
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New in Trib+Water: California Cuts Back on Water
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: California cuts back on water use in face of prolonged drought, more on the Central Texas water fights and an interview with Sharlene Leurig, hydrologist and producer of “Our Desired Future.” Full Story
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Lawmaker's Bill Aims to Prevent Another Fertilizer Plant Blast
State Rep. Kyle Kacal has introduced legislation that he hopes would prevent another accident like the explosion of a West fertilizer plant in 2013 that killed 15 and injured more than 200. Full Story
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![A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.]()
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Water Ruling Cuts State's Power in Droughts
A state appeals court has sided with farmers, ranchers and other longstanding water rights holders in a Brazos River case with widespread implications for future water battles in drought-prone Texas. Full Story
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![The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas.]()
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Bill Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity
One state lawmaker has an idea to encourage Texans to conserve energy: Stop charging them for doing so. Rep. Sylvester Turner's legislation would bar companies from charging customers for using too little energy – a common practice. Full Story
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Former Railroad Commissioner Lands Job at Law Firm
Barry Smitherman, the only person to serve both on the Texas Railroad Commission and the state’s Public Utility Commission, will practice energy law at Vinson and Elkins, the international law firm announced Tuesday. Full Story
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![Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013.]()
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Legislation Aims to Boost Electricity Conservation
Some state lawmakers are trying to cut Texas' energy use by encouraging demand response – programs under which utilities reward customers for powering down electricity guzzlers when demand peaks. Full Story
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![Homeowner Adam Leija demonstrating how CPS energy's "home manager program" works.]()
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House Committee Passes Compromise on Local Drilling Rules
A House committee on Monday approved legislation that would limit local control over oil and gas activities — a committee substitute for a bill that initially stirred anger in city halls across Texas. Full Story
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![A well pad is flanked by Fort Worth's skyline on Sept. 27, 2013.]()
Credit: Mark Graham