The Texas Tribune and KUT 90.5 FM are running a five-part series this week on water supplies in Central Texas, looking specifically at the long-term future of two key lakes that supply water to Austin and other growing cities, as well as to rice farmers a few hundred miles down the Colorado River.
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
In Austin, Growing Water Needs and Conservation
As Austin prepares to tighten its watering restrictions to once a week later this summer, trees and lawns — not to mention the water utility’s revenues — are suffering. Long-term, Austin and nearby cities want to ensure the continued health of the Highland Lakes.
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Energy
Audio: Austin Hopes for Healthy Lakes
Austin hopes to keep plenty of water in the nearby Highland Lakes over the long term, to reduce the risks posed by drought.
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Energy
As Highland Lakes’ Levels Fall, Residents Fret
As Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis drop lower each day, worried locals are seeing their swimming coves dry up, and it’s not just because of lack of rain. Rice farmers and Central Texas cities are taking a good share of the water.
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Energy
Audio: Drought Worries Highland Lakes Residents
With Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis getting lower by the day, local business owners fear for their livelihoods.
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Energy
A Clash Over Water in Central Texas
The state’s record dry spell has rice farmers, growing cities and a proposed coal plant competing for water from drought-stricken lakes. This is the first in a five-part print and radio series, “Water Fight,” with KUT News.
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Energy
In Central Texas, Dwindling Lakes and Growing Water Demand
The current drought, drier than any other October-through-May stretch in Texas history, has heightened the stakes in an already contentious long-term planning battle over water from the Highland Lakes.
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Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson and Murphy visualize what happened to the nearly 5,800 bills introduced in the 82nd Lege, Aaronson, Hasson and Swicegood interactively recap the budget battle, Aguliar on the surge in illegal re-entry cases prosecuted by the Obama administration, Galbraith on a coal plant that wants a water deal from the LCRA, Grissom interviews a man wrongly imprisoned and nearly executed — twice, Hamilton on a controversial UT regent who wants a do-over in the debate over higher ed reform, Ramshaw on the continuing fight over pre-abortion sonograms, Root on Rick Perry’s newsmaking trip to NYC and M. Smith on whether cash-strapped school districts will raise taxes: The best of our best content from June 13 to 17, 2011.
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Energy
Midland and Odessa Grapple With Water Concerns
In parts of the Permian Basin, less than 0.2 inches of rain has fallen since September. As the drought grows increasingly dire, officials and residents are taking more drastic measures to reduce water use.
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Energy
Fun (Actually in the Water) on the Trinity River
The Trinity has never been much-loved like the Guadalupe, the San Marcos or the Frio. For the first time, both Dallas and Fort Worth are making efforts to revitalize it and make it a destination for recreation.