The state sued Volkswagen in 2016 after the German automaker admitted to using software that allowed its vehicles to circumvent emissions limits.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
“The door to the future”: How Eddie Bernice Johnson could make history if Democrats win back the House
Johnson, a Dallas Democrat, has served in the U.S. House for 26 years. If her party wins control of the chamber, she’s well positioned to become the first African-American representative from Texas to lead a standing committee in Congress.
Arkema officials charged with “recklessly” releasing chemicals amid Harvey flooding
As the floodwaters rose around the plant last year, chemicals began to overheat and then degrade, leading to a series of burns and huge plumes of black smoke.
Environmental groups announce multi-million dollar settlement with Houston-area refinery
The settlement will end a “citizen suit” against Pasadena Refining System that alleges years of air pollution violations. Under the Clean Air Act, citizens may sue companies if government regulators fail to act.
Texas is using a record amount of electricity. Could demand outpace supply?
The state’s grid operator set a new all-time systemwide peak demand record on two consecutive days this week, prompting reassurances that the electricity sector “is doing what they can to keep the power on for consumers.”
As Trump backlash continues, STEM professionals in Texas run for office
Across the country, hundreds of candidates with academic or professional experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics have left their businesses and laboratories to compete in state legislative contests, congressional elections and even governor’s races.
Mexico’s new president is promising big changes. Will that affect trade with Texas?
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, or AMLO, won big on Sunday. Now Texan business and agriculture leaders have five months to try to predict whether his expected stand-up-to-Trump strategy will hurt their bottom lines.
Faced with failure, state to propose new plan to protect West Texas lizard
The state comptroller’s office went back to the drawing board after the failure of a 6-year-old plan to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard that relied on voluntary participation by the oil and gas industry.
Lucrative Los Alamos National Lab contract awarded to team that includes Texas A&M
A&M is partnering with the University of California System and a research and development organization on the effort. Their extendable five-year contract with the U.S. Energy Department is worth an estimated $2.5 billion annually.
New Mexico official says Texas landowners are “stealing” millions of gallons of water and selling it back for fracking
Water restrictions in New Mexico have created a supply crunch for the fracking industry, so more free-flowing Texas water is helping to fill the void. But not without controversy: A top New Mexico politician says Texans are pumping his state’s water and piping it across the state line for oil drillers.


