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.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
Energy
Amid Drought, McCaul’s Water Use Raises Eyebrows
Over 12 months of the worst drought in recorded Texas history, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul was Austin’s sixth-largest water user. It’s a disappointing record, critics say, at a time when many Texas leaders are urgently calling for conservation.
Posted in
Energy
Daniel Yergin: The TT Interview
The Pulizer Prize-winning author and leading authority on energy on his new book, The Quest; the future of Texas energy, including wind, solar and natural gas prices; and the burning national debate on how to spell “fracking.”