Texans could hardly avoid the doom-and-gloom headlines about plummeting oil prices in 2015. But that was far from the only major storyline in energy this year.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Economy
Study: Barnett Shale Is Richer Than Previously Thought
North Texas’ Barnett Shale — one of the country’s largest natural gas fields and the birthplace of modern fracking — holds twice as much reachable gas as previously thought, the federal government says.
Posted in
Energy
Congress Poised to Lift 40-Year Oil Export Ban
The U.S. Congress is on the verge of lifting a 40-year ban on crude oil exports onto the international market, an issue that pitted Texans who work in oil production — and their House representatives — against those who work in refineries.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: A Dam Near the Breaking Point
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Concerns grow about the condition of a dam upstream of Dallas, a call to rethink land and water in the Hill Country and an interview with Lucas Gregory of Texas A&M University.
Posted in
Economy
Railroad Commission Names New Executive Director
The Texas Railroad Commission has named Kimberly Corley as its new executive director.
Posted in
Energy
Flood Experts Call for Better Warning Systems
As the Blanco River rose rapidly in the early hours of May 24th, phones around Wimberley — most of which had 512 area codes — received urgent text alerts: danger, flooding, seek shelter. Laura McComb, who had a 361 area code, did not receive any such text.
Posted in
Energy
Patterson, Declining to Run for Railroad Commission, Knocks Trump
Former Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is not running for state railroad commissioner, and he says that Donald Trump has something to do with that.
Posted in
Energy
Burnam Joins Race for Open Railroad Commission Seat
Former state Rep. Lon Burnam, a Fort Worth Democrat, said Sunday that he has filed to run for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the state agency that regulates oil and gas development.
Posted in
Energy
In Paris, Negotiators Strike Historic Climate Accord
Negotiators from nearly 200 nations, including the United States, struck an unprecedented climate agreement on Saturday that could have big implications for Texas — and also face big pushback from state leaders.
Posted in
Economy
Porter Drops Re-election Bid; Others Consider Jumping In
Railroad Commissioner David Porter announced Thursday that he will exit his primary battle against Republican activist John Greytok. Former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is exploring a run for the seat.