When first responders were sent to the scene of a chemical fire at a manufacturing plant last week, they were never alerted to the toxic fumes in the air, a new lawsuit alleges. And the plant’s parent company could face another lawsuit in the next several weeks.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton: There is no fuel shortage
Long lines formed at Texas gas stations Thursday as some prices started to spike — but officials say Hurricane Harvey hasn’t led to a shortage of fuel.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
ExxonMobil refineries are damaged in Hurricane Harvey, releasing hazardous pollutants
ExxonMobil acknowledged Tuesday that Hurricane Harvey damaged two of its refineries, causing the release of hazardous pollutants.
Posted in
Energy
Warren Buffett outbid in race to buy big piece of Texas electric grid
Billionaire Warren Buffet has been outbid in his effort to buy Texas’ largest transmission utility. A California-based energy conglomerate has swooped in with an $18.8 billion proposal to buy coveted Oncor.
Posted in
Energy
Judge denies ExxonMobil request to reduce $20 million air pollution fine
U.S. District Judge David Hittner slapped the the energy giant with a $19.95 million penalty in April for spewing millions of pounds of hazardous pollutants from a Houston-area industrial complex.
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Energy
House approves tree removal bill, breaking from Abbott and Senate
The Texas House has given early approval to a bill that would allow property owners to plant new trees to offset municipal fees for tree removal on their land.
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Energy
Persistence pays off for rural Texans besieged by sky-high power prices
After struggling to pay sky-high power line rates for more than three years, thousands of rural Texans are set to get relief.
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Energy
Environmental groups sue EPA over lax Texas air pollution permits
Environmental groups are taking the EPA to court, alleging the federal agency isn’t properly policing Texas air pollution permits they argue are too lax and complicated.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
A Pass to Poison: Texas regulators largely fail to crack down on top air polluters
Texas industrial polluters rarely face sanctions when they spew noxious chemicals into the air during malfunctions and other unplanned incidents, exceeding the emission limits of their state-issued air permits.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Restoring San Marcos’ glass-bottom boats
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Texas rivers art exhibit at the Capitol, restoring the glass-bottom boats in San Marcos and an interview with Aaron Wolf of Oregon State University.