Energy development capitalizing on the high winds in West Texas has injected sluggish rural communities with new economic lifeblood. The “windfall” has bestowed hundreds of millions of dollars — an embarrassment of riches — on mostly tiny schools.
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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Demographics
Weekend Insider: Border Business Trouble, West Texas Wind Boom
In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, reporter Julian Aguilar explains the challenges and temptations facing business owners on the border. And reporter Morgan Smith takes us to West Texas, where school districts have benefited from the wind energy boom.
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Energy
Updated: EPA, Despite Fire From Texas, Issues State’s First Greenhouse Gas Permit
On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency, which took over greenhouse gas permitting in Texas in the face of the state’s resistance, issued its first such permit in the state — to a yet-to-be-built natural gas power plant in Llano County.
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Energy
Surrounded by Refineries, a Community Worries for Its Future
A number of Texas plants have appeared on never-before-published pollution watch lists compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency. Terrence Henry of KUT News and NPR’s StateImpact Texas reports on a Corpus Christi neighborhood that sits right in the middle of several refineries on the list.
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Energy
Water Propositions Meet Different Fates at Ballot Box
Amid the most intense drought in state history, Texas voters split on a pair of water-related constitutional amendments that had the backing of many environmentalists and businesses. Analysts are scrambling to explain their differing fates.
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Energy
Regulatory System Allows Some Plants to Skirt Pollution Laws
Several Texas plants have appeared on never-before-published pollution watch lists compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency. Mose Buchele of KUT News and StateImpact Texas looks at the regulatory environment that allows industries to keep polluting.
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Energy
Updated: Railroad Commission Scraps Concealed Firearms Ban
Employees of the agency that regulates the Texas oil and gas industry will now be able to carry concealed firearms as they go about their work, following a unanimous vote on Tuesday by the three commissioners.
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Energy
Houston-Area Plant Has History of Emissions Violations
In the Houston area, several industrial plants have repeatedly violated federal clean air standards. Dave Fehling of NPR’s StateImpact Texas reports that while one has been the target of EPA enforcement actions for years, its chemical emissions have only increased.
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Energy
Voters to Decide City Elections, Amendments
It’s Election Day, and voters across the state will decide whether to add 10 amendments to the Texas Constitution. Voters in several cities also will be picking mayors and city council members.
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Demographics
Bill Would Give Border Patrol More Access to Parks, Wildlife Refuges
Environmental groups are fighting a proposal that would grant U.S. Border Patrol greater authority to operate in public parks and on environmentally protected land, saying it would circumvent regulations designed to protect natural resources.