Harris County voters overwhelmingly approved a bond measure that would finance an array of flood control projects in the Houston area. Saturday’s vote came on the first anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, which brought one of the worst urban floods in U.S. history to the Houston region.
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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In Harvey's Wake
She’s tasked with emergency planning at the Port of Corpus Christi. A year after Harvey, her community continues to rebuild.
While Danielle Hale managed the emergency operations center at the Port of Corpus Christi during Hurricane Harvey, her family evacuated their Rockport home. A year later, she and her family continue to help Rockport rebuild, while the port continues to fine-tune its emergency preparedness plans.
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Energy
Texas oil industry experts say Mexico’s plan to halt fuel imports won’t have immediate impact
Mexican President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador has vowed to halt the import of gasoline and diesel from the United States and other countries by 2021.
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Energy
Texas releases plan for how more than $209 million from Volkswagen settlement will be spent
The state sued Volkswagen in 2016 after the German automaker admitted to using software that allowed its vehicles to circumvent emissions limits.
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Texas Elections 2018
“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.
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In Harvey's Wake
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.
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Energy
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.
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Energy
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.”
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Energy
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.
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Energy
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.