The state House on Monday voted to make sure Texans have the final say over who gets to connect to the Texas’ near-island of an electric grid.
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
Texas House Approves TWIA Overhaul
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, the often-tapped insurer of last resort for Gulf Coast property owners, looks poised to get a major overhaul.
Posted in
Energy
Abbott Signs Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation aiming to quicken regulators’ pace of cranking out permits for major industrial projects by limiting public scrutiny.
Posted in
Energy
OSHA Chief: Fine for Deadly Leak in Texas “Petty Cash” for DuPont
Seven months after a toxic gas leak killed four workers at DuPont’s chemical plant in La Porte, a top U.S. labor official blasted the company’s commitment to workplace safety, saying he wished he could hand out a stiffer punishment.
Posted in
Energy
With HB 40 Signed, Denton Fracking Resumes
The first Texas town to ban hydraulic fracturing is poised to be fracked again. Vantage Energy plans to resume fracking operations at eight gas wells in Denton on June 1, the Colorado-based operator has told city officials.
Posted in
Energy
Harris County in Crosshairs of Pollution Lawsuit Limits
In a session that’s been kind to business interests, local control might be about to take another hit as the Senate tentatively approves legislation that could make it harder for counties to sue polluters.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Drought Easing Across Texas
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Drought has abated to levels not seen since the summer of 2012, rains bring floods to state parks and an interview with Mike Gershon, water lawyer at Austin-based Lloyd Gosselink.
Posted in
Energy
Curbing Local Control, Abbott Signs “Denton Fracking Bill”
Saying Texas needs to avoid a “patchwork of local regulations” that threaten oil and gas production, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed legislation that would pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of drilling-related activities.
Posted in
Economy
End of the Road for Tesla, Ride-for-Hire Bills
With the clock winding down on the legislative session, Tesla Motors, Uber and Lyft have little to show for the money they spent on high-profile lobbying. As deadlines loom, the bills they were steering appear to have run out of gas.
Posted in
Energy
Amid Local Control Fight, a Proposal Cities Like
City officials are crossing their fingers that one Republican proposal – what consumer advocates call the session’s most important bill for natural gas utility customers – will pick up steam before time runs out.