The bills would allow the state to hire companies to build emergency gas-fueled power plants, among other ideas for swinging the state’s power balance away from wind and solar.
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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Economy
Gov. Greg Abbott vows to exclude renewable energy from any revived economic incentive program
In 2021, the Texas Senate declined to consider a bill extending the program, which discounted local property taxes to lure big companies to the state. It had become plagued with bipartisan accusations of “corporate welfare.”
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Graphics and data reporting
What you need to know about Texas’ complex — but important — electricity market reform plan
The idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans.
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Energy
Austin’s city manager fired over botched winter storm response
Spencer Cronk, who headed the city since 2018, fell out of favor with council members after communication failures that mirrored problems from the 2021 winter storm.
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Winter Storm 2021
Lawsuits pile up two years after Texas’ devastating winter storm
Thousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe.
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Energy
Rural Central Texas’ plentiful trees make power outages a frustrating fact of life after storms
Leon County’s judge wants the state to help clear trees around power lines after residents again go without electricity following another storm.
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Energy
How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outages
Tens of thousands of Austin households and businesses went days without electricity after a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas.
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Energy
Texas’ teacher pension fund divested from investment firms accused of “boycotting” oil and gas industry
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas was following a new state law targeting investment firms that seek to invest in companies that don’t worsen climate change.
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Energy
In South Texas, opponents say planned natural gas export facility’s carbon capture promises are “greenwashing”
A company planning to build a massive liquefied natural gas export facility near Brownsville says carbon capture technology will reduce its pollution, but some locals say it’s a “Band-Aid on a bullet hole.”
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Energy
Some Austin homes may not get electricity back for another week, city says
Nearly 95% of the city has electricity after last week’s winter storm. But Austin Energy says the remaining outages are the most complex and time-consuming.