Lawmakers Say Mexico Falling Short on Its End of Water Treaty
A decades-old treaty that mandates how Mexico and the U.S. share water from rivers is once again the genesis of growing frustrations from U.S. landowners and lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-DPSdrive-0014.png)
-
![The Rio Grande is the ending place of many high-speed pursuits. People escape consequences by driving their vehicles into the water and swimming to Mexico.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Ambiguities Reign in Regulations for Groundwater Fracking
Can groundwater authorities in Texas require oil and gas drillers to obtain permits for the water they use in hydraulic fracturing? No one knows for sure, thanks to ambiguities in the water code. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/12/Fracking-2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The results of the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll on everything from the top race of 2014 to the gun debate, Aaronson on Medicaid expansion, Aguilar on a financial thaw in the Mexican oil patch, Batheja on cents and sensibility, M. Smith on school choice, Rocha and Dehn on TWIA reform, Galbraith on water and fracking, Murphy’s interactive map of poverty in the state, E. Smith's TribLive interview with House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock and Root on a lobby couple living large and reporting small: The best of our best content from March 4-8, 2013. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/08/03042013-Tribweek.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Fracking Increase Spurs Fears Over Water Use
The amount of water used in hydraulic fracturing has stirred concerns around Texas, especially as the drought wears on. Aware that they are under the spotlight, drillers are testing out recycling and other water-saving techniques. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/07/FrackingWater-1.jpg)
![A water truck parked near a West Texas drilling rig. Oil and gas companies' use of water for hydraulic fracturing has sparked growing concerns.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster -
Legislation Would Help Bring Native Plants Back to Texas
With invasive plant species taking over the Texas landscape, lawmakers are looking at how to bring back native plants. Two new bills could help increase the supply of drought-resistant native seeds in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/txtrib_nat_ccr038.jpg)
![George Cates, a manager at Native American Seed's seed cleaning plant in Junction, shows a handful of Bluebonnet seeds.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Mexico's Energy Proposal Stirs Interest in Texas
Mexico's ruling party says the country's oil monopoly will stay under state control. But on Sunday, the party adopted a platform to allow for private investment in the oil giant, drawing interest among Texas companies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/GasPump-Sun.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Joe Vigliotta -
Oil Boom Moves Fracking to Forefront in Legislature
Despite mounting concerns over disruptions to the environment and infrastructure, Texas lawmakers haven't soured on fracking. But that hasn't kept the practice out of the sights of legislators pushing for more regulations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/FrackingWell.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Kurt Nordstrom -
Water Planners Floating Several Reservoir Projects
Reservoir projects are inching forward throughout Texas as an answer to the drought, but environmentalists argue that they are unnecessary and expensive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/01/TxTrib-Reservoirs001.JPG)
![A view of Lake Gilmer in Gilmer, Texas.]()
Credit: Allison V. Smith -
Texas Shale Regions' Fortunes Diverge
As the price of natural gas has declined, much of Texas' drilling activity has moved south, to the Eagle Ford Shale, leaving the battle-tested Barnett Shale in North Texas with an uncertain future. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/28/Fracking-Frack.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Patrick Trouvé -
Danny Krienke: The TT Interview
The North Plains Groundwater Conservation District board member on the district’s unusually strict water-meter requirements, the drought and how the iPad is making it possible to farm from a cafe. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/27/TT-Interview-Danny-2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Raw Milk Bill Draws Proponents, Detractors to Hearing
Proponents and critics weighed in Wednesday on a bill that would allow the sale of raw milk at farmer’s markets and other sites like fairs and flea markets. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/27/RawMilk.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Kristen Taylor -
Lawmakers Propose Fixes for Roads Damaged by Drilling
At a StateImpact Texas forum on Tuesday, a group of lawmakers agreed that the state must address road damage caused by the oil and gas boom. Such damage is estimated to have cost the Eagle Ford Shale area up to $2 billion. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Fracking-Rig.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Helen Slottje -
Texas Stretch of Keystone XL Pipeline Progressing
The 485-mile Oklahoma-to-Texas leg of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline is about half done and should be operational by late this year or early 2014, according to officials from TransCanada, the company building it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/keystonepipeline.jpg)
![Pipe sections in Illinois await crews to weld and bury them during construction in 2009. This segment of the $12 billion Keystone pipeline project has already been built; a proposed pipeline through Texas still awaits government permits.]()
Credit: Keystone Pipeline System -
Agriculture Stakes Its Claim as Water Debate Heats Up
As Texas lawmakers mull a plan to safeguard the state against future water shortages, agriculture groups are already worried they might be left high and dry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DryCrops-Drought.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Bill Could Bring Dairy Farming Back to El Paso
State Rep. Mary González, D-Clint, wants to bring dairy farming back to her district by repealing a decade-old ban on the practice, the result of longstanding concerns over bovine tuberculosis. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/21/TxTrib-dairy-017.JPG)
![Livestock from Licon Dairy, on Feb. 19, 2013, outside of Fort Hancock, Texas, in Hudspeth County. The dairy farm had 42 acres and approximately 40 heifers.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre -
A&M Wants More Funding for State Climatologist
Texas A&M University has requested $284,000 from the Legislature to expand the operations of the state climatologist, John Nielsen-Gammon, who says more money would help support research and relieve some of his ever-growing workload. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
At House Hearing, Mayors Stress Water Conservation
A who's who of mayors, lawmakers and agency officials testified at the Capitol on Tuesday in support of using $2 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund for water projects. But before that, they said, the state must focus on conservation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/19/TexasWaterTower.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Ed Schipul -
After Plant is Canceled, Coal Faces Bleak Future in Texas
Plans to build a new Gulf Coast power plant called White Stallion have fizzled, marking a victory for environmental advocates and — for now, at least — the demise of new coal plant projects in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/COAL_LCRA2288.JPG)
![Rikki Stanley, director of local development for the White Stallion Energy Center, shows a chunk of the type of coal that the coal plant plans to burn.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Renewable Energy Faces Hurdles in Legislature
This session, renewable energy advocates are bracing to defend critical policies that have helped Texas become the leading wind-power state. The discussions include a renewable energy mandate and a key tax incentive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/TxTrib-SolarFarm001.JPG)
![CPS Energy's Blue Wing Solar Farm in San Antonio is the largest solar array in Texas and is capable of producing enough electricity to power 1,800 households.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
The Wind Blows, the Sun Shines: The Tax Breaks
Ten years ago, the renewable energy industry basked in political popularity. With the rise of the Tea Party, it is now under fire. Clean energy advocates will spend part of the legislative session fending off attacks. But they also have some big dreams. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Wind-Energy-Texas.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: windpower.org
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/82958f558958c0a737fdb6399b6d989d/BD%20INC%20Climate%20Map%20Portrait%202012)