A Democratic senator on Tuesday made a last-ditch effort to beef up a bill aimed at reforming and reauthorizing the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency — legislation environmental groups and watchdogs have decried as toothless.
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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Energy
House panel debates state parks funding
A measure that would’ve guaranteed a set amount of funding to state parks was upturned in 2015. Lawmakers and advocates are hoping similar legislation will stick this session.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Going to Texas to escape the seas
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: More folks could be “gone to Texas” to escape rising sea levels, a report urges recycling of oil and gas field wastewater and an interview with Tom Arsuffi of the Llano River Field Station.
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Energy
Tree protection ordinances targeted by Republicans, defended by city officials
City officials on Monday testified against a bill that would limit the ability of Texas cities to ban residents from cutting down trees on their properties. Republican lawmakers have filed several such bills this year.
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Energy
ExxonMobil ordered to pay $20 million for air pollution at Houston plants
Environment Texas described the fine against the world’s largest oil company as the “largest penalty resulting from a citizen suit in U.S. history.”
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Energy
Feral hog poison in Texas on hold — for now
The company behind the only EPA-approved pesticide for feral hogs has withdrawn its request for registration in Texas. But that doesn’t mean the battle over the warfarin-based poison’s safety is finished.
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Energy
West Texas nuclear waste project on hold — for now
Dallas-based Waste Control Specialists has asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to temporarily suspend a review of its application to store tens of thousands of metric tons of spent nuclear fuel at its West Texas dump.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: America’s lakes are getting saltier
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: A new study looks at contamination of Dickinson Bayou, America’s lakes are getting saltier and an interview with Carrie Thompson of the Freshwater U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.
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Energy
During Texas visit, Rick Perry touts Houston-area carbon capture system
In his first public appearance in Texas since being sworn in as U.S. energy secretary, former Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday heaped praise on a new and first-of-its-kind energy project that captures climate-altering emissions from the state’s largest coal plant.
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Energy
Texas Public Utility Commission Chairman Nelson to retire
Chairman Donna Nelson announced Thursday that she will retire from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ending a nine-year tenure.