Disagreeing with Dallas-Fort Worth-area water officials, the Texas Water Development Board decided on Wednesday that a years-long conflict over a yet-to-be-built reservoir in the region’s 50-year water plan is serious enough that it should be resolved.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
New Law May Not Thwart Hays Water Project
A bill that passed late in the legislative session gave some residents and officials hope that they can kill a controversial water-pumping project in western Hays County. But there’s no guarantee that Houston-based Electro Purification won’t ultimately be able to proceed with its plan.
New in Trib+Water: River Wars Continue on San Marcos
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Homeowners on the San Marcos River seek relief from tubers, a Houston teen wins recognition for e-waste filtering device and an interview with Rabi Mohtar of Texas A&M University.
West Texas Company Fined in Deadly Oil Rig Explosion
Federal regulators have slapped a roughly $50,000 fine on a West Texas oil company six months after a fiery explosion killed three of its workers at a well.
Coal-Dependent Power Company Eyes West Texas Sun
The state’s biggest electricity generator is adding solar power to its mix. In the latest sign that solar energy is fast gaining a foothold in Texas, Dallas-based Luminant has announced plans to tap 116 megawatts of West Texas solar power.
EPA Water Rule Applies to Texas After All
The Obama administration’s controversial new clean water regulations apply in Texas after all. Clarifying an injunction issued last week, a federal judge says he blocked the federal Waters of the U.S. rule in only 13 states. Texas is not one of them.
Cuellar: House Will Pass Bill Lifting Crude Export Ban
A Texas Democrat says he believes the U.S. House will pass legislation lifting the country’s 40-year-old ban on most crude oil exports — even amid a frenzy of activity in the upcoming session.
Texas Railroad Commission Rejects Quake Study
An inquiry by the agency that regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas has found that oil and gas activity did not likely cause a swarm of earthquakes around the North Texas towns of Azle and Reno starting in 2013.
Well Explosion Could Pressure Texas Regulators
A Palo Pinto County family is suing two oil and gas operators, alleging that gas from their wells migrated into the family’s water well, which exploded and burned them.
Amid Hurricane Debate, Another Storm Surge Option Surfaces
A Rice University-based group is proposing an entirely new plan for protecting Houston, its ship channel and its residents from a massive storm surge during the next big hurricane. But consensus remains elusive.



