As more of the Gulf is opened to drilling after the lifting of a moratorium, the government has been holding hearings on industry regulations. But as Dave Fehling of StateImpact Texas reports, there’s been one thing missing from those hearings: the public.
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
Fracking Disclosures to Include Water Totals
Starting Feb. 1, drillers will have to report many of the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. But a less-publicized part of the regulation is what some water experts are most interested in: the mandatory disclosure of the amount of water needed to “frack” each well.
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Energy
Greenhouse Gas Wars to Resume in Texas
Texas’ greenhouse gas battles are about to heat up again. Next month, a federal court hears oral arguments in lawsuits that Texas has filed against the EPA, which began regulating heat-trapping emissions a year ago. But the agency is hardly backing down.
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Energy
At Senate Hearing, Warnings of Drought and Power
At a committee hearing Tuesday about the impact of drought on power generation, state senators voiced concerns that a lack of adequate water could harm Texas’ long-term growth.
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Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The first week of 2012 started with the first presidential voting of the cycle, and our coverage included Dehn’s videos of Rick Perry’s “reassessment” and “next leg of the marathon” speeches, Ramshaw’s reporting on the rationale behind his decision and Root’s analysis of just what happened in the hours after the Iowa results came in, plus Galbraith on the Texas critters that might be added to the endangered list, Tan’s look at new laws regulating payday lenders, Hamilton on an impending battle over tuition increases at UT, and Murphy with a new data map using the latest Census numbers for Texas: The best of our best content from January 2 to 6, 2012.
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Energy
Endangered Species Conflicts Loom in 2012
The recent kerfuffle over the sand dunes lizard in the West Texas oilfields may be nothing compared to what’s coming. Across Texas, dozens of species are under consideration for a possible endangered species listing.
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Energy
To Fix Gas Wells, States Looking to Texas Wranglers
Natural gas drilling is booming across the country. But when a well blows out or catches fire, who gets called to fix it? Dave Fehling and Scott Detrow of StateImpact Texas report on the Texas wranglers busy capping wells in states like Pennsylvania.
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Energy
At UT, a Possible Breakthrough in Solar Power
The solar-energy industry faced several setbacks in 2011. But as Mose Buchele of KUT News and StateImpact Texas reports, one UT professor thinks he’s found a way to exponentially increase the amount of energy harvested from solar technology.
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Energy
Court Stays Cross-State Rule for Texas
A federal court ordered Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial cross-state air pollution rule be stayed — to the delight of Texas officials and the chagrin of environmentalists.
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Energy
Year of Drought and Heat May Leave Long-Lasting Damage
The statewide drought, and the accompanying extreme heat and severe wildfires, made 2011 a historic year for Texas. But as Mose Buchele of KUT News and StateImpact Texas reports, some effects of this year’s weather will likely be felt for years to come.