The blame game over who’s responsible for the problems 8,000 border residents have with their drinking water is playing out in a Laredo court, as Webb County water treatment plant workers face charges of falsifying records to hide contamination from state regulators.
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
Obama Proposal Targets Methane Emissions
The federal EPA on Tuesday proposed another set of rules aimed at battling climate change. These would slash oil and gas sector emissions of methane, which often leaks from well pads, compressor stations, processing plants and other equipment used in production.
Posted in
Energy
George P. Bush: Land Office Faces Internal “Threat”
A video of George P. Bush obtained by the Tribune highlights the rising political star’s unease about the the 179-year-old agency he inherited and his commitment to shake it up.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
After 17 Years, Texas Poised to Resolve Oil Spill
In the time it has taken the state and federal governments to hold a Koch Industries affiliate responsible for a South Texas oil spill, 17 different quarterbacks started games for the Dallas Cowboys.
Posted in
Economy
Abbott to Texans: Try to Use Less Power
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday made this appeal to Texans: Curb your electricity use, if you can – for the grid’s sake.
Posted in
Energy
Deregulated Electricity a Mixed Bag for Consumers
More than a decade after the power market was deregulated for 85 percent of the state, some Texans are finding better deals on electricity. But most have paid thousands more than customers still served by monopoly utilities, a new report says.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Assessing the Animas River Spill
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Experts are still assessing the damage from the spill of mining effluents into the Animas River, a new study attempts to measure groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale and an interview with Jason M. Evans of Stetson University.
Posted in
Economy
UT, Japan Partner to Cut Data Center Energy Use
The University of Texas at Austin and the Japanese government are joining forces to tackle a growing problem of the digital age: As data centers crop up across the U.S., they’re sucking up a lot of electricity.
Posted in
Energy
Climate Pleas From Pope, Obama Fall Flat in Texas
Pope Francis has called on people of faith and science to come together and address the perils of climate change, and President Obama has finalized his ambitious carbon-cutting Clean Power Plan. But Texas Republicans aren’t signing on, Catholic or not.
Posted in
Energy
General Land Office Touts Move Online
The Texas General Land Office says it held the first online oil and gas lease auction in the state’s history on Tuesday, netting some $20 million for public schools. Land Commissioner George P. Bush is taking credit for the move.