The project, a partnership between chemical giant Dow and nuclear startup X-energy, is intended to kickstart a new nuclear era.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Data Centers in Texas
SpaceX to build $24 billion data center in South Texas, sidestepping moratorium
The city of Starbase has scheduled a public hearing on a possible tax abatement agreement for the data center and power plant project.
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Environment
As Texas embraces carbon storage, a Black community questions the risks
Texas now issues permits for companies to store carbon dioxide underground. East Texas residents fear safety risks, and skeptics doubt the climate benefits.
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Immigration
Trump’s Big Bend border wall construction can resume after U.S. Supreme Court ruling
In an 8-1 unsigned opinion, the justices overturned an El Paso federal judge’s order to halt construction, while the Trump administration seeks further Supreme Court review.
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2026 Texas Elections
Gina Hinojosa won the governor’s race. What happens to Texas data centers now?
The governor-elect has called for a data center moratorium to last until the Texas Legislature meets in January to pass “real protections so Texans can have a seat at the table.”
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Environment
Texas parks department fights to withhold draft agenda amid fears of Boca Chica sale to SpaceX
The Texas Tribune reviewed a copy of a draft Texas Parks and Wildlife agenda that included discussion about ceding control of 1,300 acres in Cameron County, home to Boca Chica Beach and SpaceX’s launch site.
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Hill Country floods
Trump says more FEMA aid is coming to Texas after 2026 floods
Trump promised more federal money after FEMA denied individual assistance for Texas flood survivors. State officials have appealed FEMA’s decision.
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Politics
Dolores Huerta, trailblazing advocate for migrant farmworkers, dies at 96
Huerta co-founded several organizations to support Texas farmworkers. She was also an ardent advocate for women and immigrant’s rights.
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Environment
Feds may build border wall through South Texas refuge as original plan stalls in court
The original plan, which has been stalled since July, called for construction of a wall along the Santa Ana wildlife refuge.
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Hill Country floods
Emergency weather alerts may be sent via satellite under new “Mystic Alerts Act”
Not everyone received cell alerts during the deadly flooding in 2025 in the Texas Hill Country. A new law is trying to fix that.
