After failing last session, lawmakers finalized a bill — described as a “delicate compromise” — that provides new protections for landowners in negotiating with companies attempting to seize their land through eminent domain.
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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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature close to approving billions to pay for winter storm financial fallout
Several billions of dollars in state-approved financing will be necessary to stabilize the state’s distressed energy market after the winter storm. Texas approves more in finance bailouts for its utilities than any other state.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Two years after disastrous chemical fire, Texas close to creating new safety rules for industry
Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, spent years negotiating with industry groups to get new regulations placed on the chemical industry after the ITC fire in 2019. The bill has passed both chambers, but small changes need to be ironed out before it is sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House goes further than Senate to protect state’s main power grid as time to agree on bills winds down
The Texas House for hours on Sunday debated its proposal to better prepare for extreme weather. The chambers have a little more than a week to wrap up remaining work.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs law to bar city climate plans from banning natural gas as fuel source
House Bill 17 is a response to a trend in California, where cities have passed energy efficiency plans that prohibit new subdivisions from offering natural gas heating in order to reduce emissions.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature approves bill to ban residential wholesale electricity plans — the first major winter storm bill sent to the governor
Time is running out on a slate of other bills lawmakers are considering that stem from February’s deadly winter storm.
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Energy
Alliance of Texas environmental, oil interests block bill that would have given nuclear waste company a financial break
Opponents said the legislation wasn’t strong enough to stop highly radioactive materials from coming to Texas and instead amounted to a financial giveaway to a West Texas nuclear waste company.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas lawmakers propose electricity market bailout after winter storm
Lawmakers argue that spreading costs through the whole market — which will get passed through to consumers’ bills — is necessary to stabilize the state’s electricity market and prevent even higher costs.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature advances bills to shield oil and gas from climate initiatives
“Oil and gas is the lifeblood of the Texas economy,” state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, said on the House floor Monday.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Overhaul of ERCOT board could replace experts with political appointees
State lawmakers are now trying to change the way ERCOT is governed by requiring members to live in Texas and giving more board seats to political appointees — changes that experts say may do little to improve the power grid.