Fall weather conditions may bring a small amount of relief to the drought-stricken state, but as Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports, Texas’ worst single-year dry spell still has school districts wondering what to do with their football fields.
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
Video: Windmillers at Work
A windmill company based in San Angelo has been making windmills since 1888 — and the family of Panhandle windmiller Mike Crowell has been in the business of fixing the machines nearly as long.
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Energy
SLIDESHOW: Texas Windmills — and Windmillers
Windmilling — the art of fixing old water windmills — is difficult and dangerous work, and now it faces competition from solar pumps. But long-time windmillers in the Panhandle wouldn’t trade their job for any other.
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Energy
In the Panhandle, the Dying Art of Windmilling Hangs On — For Now
Thousands of windmills still exist in remote Texas pastures, pumping water from aquifers for cattle to drink. But the dwinding group of men who sell and fix windmills face hard times due to the drought and competition from solar pumps.
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Energy
Weekend Insider: Texas Weatherization Program, Windmilling
In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, reporter Becca Aaronson talks about the embattled Texas weatherization program getting back on track. Reporter Kate Galbraith introduces us to a family that’s been “windmilling” for more than 100 years.
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Energy
Drought’s Economic Impact Spreading From Rural to Urban Areas
Despite the record dry stretch, most Texans are still far from running out of water. But the drought’s economic impact is beginning to extend beyond agriculture and into tourism, real estate and other staples of urban economies.
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Energy
Prop 2 Would Help Fund Water-Supply Projects
On Nov. 8, Texans will vote on 10 constitutional amendments. Erika Aguilar of KUT News has a look at Proposition 2, which would allow the state to issue up to $6 billion in bonds for water infrastructure projects across Texas.
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Energy
Ballot Initiative Would Improve Water, Lower Property Taxes
An amendment to the Texas Constitution on the ballot next month will lower property taxes for landowners who practice good water stewardship. It received unanimous backing in the Legislature.
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Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Hamilton on efforts to boost faculty productivity, Grissom on newly uncovered evidence in an old murder case, Galbraith on a wind-powered construction boom, Dehn unfurls the new Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, Aguilar on this year’s record number of deportations, Ramshaw and Tan on budget cuts and cervical cancer screenings, M. Smith on local control over student grades, Root and Ramshaw on Rick Perry’s latest debate performance, Philpott on an issue that didn’t get its due in that debate and Titus and Murphy on fundraising and spending in congressional races: The best of our best content from October 17 to 21, 2011.
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Energy
Despite Lingering Concerns, Wind Power Transmission Lines Go Up
Workers are stringing thousands of miles of wires across Texas to aid the wind-power boom, despite lingering controversy — and an estimated cost of $6.8 billion. West Texas businesses have found a niche providing for workers.