A state appeals court has sided with farmers, ranchers and other longstanding water rights holders in a Brazos River case with widespread implications for future water battles in drought-prone Texas.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Bill Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity
One state lawmaker has an idea to encourage Texans to conserve energy: Stop charging them for doing so. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s legislation would bar companies from charging customers for using too little energy – a common practice.
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Energy
Former Railroad Commissioner Lands Job at Law Firm
Barry Smitherman, the only person to serve both on the Texas Railroad Commission and the state’s Public Utility Commission, will practice energy law at Vinson and Elkins, the international law firm announced Tuesday.
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Energy
Legislation Aims to Boost Electricity Conservation
Some state lawmakers are trying to cut Texas’ energy use by encouraging demand response – programs under which utilities reward customers for powering down electricity guzzlers when demand peaks.
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Energy
House Committee Passes Compromise on Local Drilling Rules
A House committee on Monday approved legislation that would limit local control over oil and gas activities — a committee substitute for a bill that initially stirred anger in city halls across Texas.
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Energy
Texas Scientists Find Antibiotic Resistance Blowing in Wind
In a study slated for publication next month, two Texas Tech University scientists may have made their biggest discovery yet: DNA from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in cattle feedlots is airborne.
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Energy
Former U.S. Energy Official: Texas Needn’t Fret Over Climate Rules
Jon Wellinghoff, the former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman, talks about what looming federal climate regulations mean for Texas, whether the state should link its grid to others and how to incentivize energy conservation.
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Energy
See How Local Drilling Rules Vary Across Texas
The debate over whether some Texas city drilling ordinances go too far has become a much-discussed issue during the Texas legislative session. Use our tool, with data from the Texas Municipal League, to see if your city has an ordinance.
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Energy
Railroad Commissioner Rallies for Natural Gas
Railroad Commissioner David Porter has kicked off an initiative to tout the benefits of natural gas, whose low price has benefited some power generators but bedeviled operators and other energy companies that bet big on it years ago.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Blood Lessons: An Investigative Series on Refinery Deaths
Take a look back at Blood Lessons, a Texas Tribune/Houston Chronicle investigation into whether the nation’s oil refineries learned the lessons of the deadly explosion at BP’s Texas City plant in 2005.