Texas’ fracking boom has given rise to an influx of wells used to dispose of drilling wastewater. But the proliferation of disposal wells is raising environmental and safety concerns, as one South Texas county has discovered.
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
Agenda Texas: What’s Left to Do?
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Water, transportation and education were priorities at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, but how much progress has been made on each?
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Energy
Bill Would End Environmental Compliance History Program
A program that gives the public information about the compliance history of facilities overseen by the state’s environmental agency would end under a bill House lawmakers will consider this week.
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Energy
Groundwater Levels Suffer Sharp Drop, Study Finds
Groundwater levels in Texas dropped considerably between 2010 and 2011, according to a report published recently by the Texas Water Development Board. The Ogallala was among the major aquifers experiencing significant declines.
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Energy
Sale of Longhorns Sparks Debate on Breed’s Future
The recent sale of about 100 longhorns by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has triggered a debate on how to best protect the future of a breed that has stood as a symbol of the state.
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Energy
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Money, Explosions and Deadlines
In the latest Newsreel: The House fights over whether and how to tap the Rainy Day Fund, lawmakers hold hearings on the explosion in West and Gov. Rick Perry says there is plenty of time left in this session to get things done.
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Energy
TribLive: Staples on Paying for the Water Plan
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples explained his strong reluctance to use money from the Rainy Day Fund to jump-start the state water plan.
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Energy
Video: Lawmakers Want Answers on West Explosion
A dozen officials from six different state agencies came before the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday to reflect on what worked and what didn’t in the West fertilizer plant explosion.
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Energy
Lawmakers Want Answers on West Explosion
While not downplaying the devastation of the deadly fertilizer plant explosion in the town of West, the head of the state’s emergency management operations told lawmakers on Wednesday that “the system worked.”
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Energy
Video: What’s Next for Water Infrastructure Funding
The day after the leading measure to fund state water projects stumbled in the House, legislators shifted their focus to a bill that some members hope will also include money for education.