Root on Rick Perry’s controversial new ad, Tan on the fallout, Aaronson’s map of where the food stamps go, my interview with Stephen Colbert’s campaign finance lawyer, Aguilar on the drop in the number of illegal immigrants crossing into Texas, Hamilton on the growth of unregulated colleges, Galbraith’s interview with S. David Freeman on the environmental failures of public power, Grissom on the newest state agency and and Hamilton and M. Smith on a sudden change at the top of UT’s law school: The best of our best content from December 5 to 9, 2011.
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
Plea for Donations Highlights Worries Over Park Funding
State officials launched a campaign this week soliciting donations to help fund Texas parks, which saw a drop-off in visitors this year because of record heat and wildfires. Matt Largey of KUT News reports.
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Energy
Jon Wellinghoff: The TT Interview
The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on managing wind energy, how electric cars could change the grid and what he’s learned by monitoring his electricity consumption at home .
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Energy
Parks Department Appeals to Texans for Budget Help
Only you can help Texas parks recover from devastating wildfires and a dropoff in visitor-generated revenue, the state parks department says. The agency launched a campaign today asking for donations to help fill a $4.6 million budget hole.
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Energy
S. David Freeman: The TT Interview
The former general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority talks about rebuilding the organization after the “Trailergate” sex scandal, the environmental failures of public power and why electricity deregulation is a “huge mistake.”
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Energy
In Galveston, Rising Sea Levels Becoming Political
According to scientists, much of what is now Galveston Island could someday be under water. As Dave Fehling of KUHF News and NPR’s StateImpact Texas reports, the potential crisis has some worrying that the city and state have ignored the threat.
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Energy
Federal Agency Delays Decision on West Texas Lizard
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put off a decision on whether to declare the dunes sagebrush lizard, which lives in West Texas, an endangered species. The delay has pleased Texas business groups but alarmed environmentalists.
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Energy
Updated: Grid Operator Warns Summer Blackout Threat Could Recur
In a report released Thursday, the state’s electric grid operator indicated that next summer could see a repeat of the rolling blackout threats that plagued Texas past summer. The reason: rising demand for electricity and some power plants going offline.
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Energy
Video: Perry Ad Ties Obama to Carter on Energy
In his newest campaign ad — airing today in Iowa — Rick Perry name-checks Jimmy Carter in accusing Barack Obama of “all talk, no action” on ending America’s dependence on foreign oil.
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Energy
Whooping Cranes at Center of Federal Court Case
A wild flock of whooping cranes flies each year from Canada to the Aransas marshes of the Texas Gulf Coast. As Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, the fate of the endangered birds has spurred a federal court case in Corpus Christi set to begin next week.