Lack of a state floodplain policy enabled oil companies to build in parts of Texas hit by an epic inundation less than 30 years ago.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Hill Country floods
Family of still-missing camper sues to shut down Camp Mystic
The lawsuit by Catherine and Will Steward, parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward, argues the family who owns and operates the camp should “never be responsible for children again.”
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State Government
Texas law barring state investment in firms boycotting fossil fuels declared unconstitutional
A judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.
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Energy
In the West Texas oil patch, companies plan gas power plants to run new data centers
The developer of one project, in Pecos County, calls it the largest power project in the U.S. Data centers are sparking a surge of gas power plant construction in Texas.
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State Government
Federal officials close discrimination case over Texas’ distribution of Hurricane Harvey aid
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has ended a yearslong investigation into how the General Land Office handled $1 billion in disaster aid.
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Panhandle Wildfires
Why a Panhandle businessman wants to take over the region’s electric utility
Salem Abraham claims Minnesota-based Xcel Energy has not lived up to its promise of protecting the region from wildfires. The company vehemently disagrees.
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Environment
Thousands of East Texans remain without power after winter storm shuts down most of state
East Texas experienced some of the worst freezing rain. Dense forests and icy roads are making it more difficult to restore electricity.
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State Government
Texas winter storm updates: Power grid holds up through its tightest condition on Monday, Gov. Abbott says
ERCOT officials expected to see power demand close in on power supply by Monday 8 a.m., but the grid held “flawlessly,” Abbott said.
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Environment
El Paso’s plan to build natural gas power plant for massive data center kicks up opposition
Meta’s planned data center could be El Paso’s biggest electricity user. Some residents worry that a new power plant to run it would worsen air pollution and guzzle water.
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State Government
Texas officials say the power grid will hold through winter storm, but local outages are likely
State and local officials say they’re better prepared than they were five years ago when Winter Storm Uri blanketed the state, killing hundreds and leaving scores without power and water.