Environment

Abbott vetoes popular domestic violence bill because of an unrelated provision about radioactive waste fees

by Shannon Najmabadi

The bill would have required domestic violence survivors to be notified when offenders are released on bond. But the Republican governor nixed the legislation over a provision by Democratic state Rep. Poncho Nevárez that would have delayed a West Texas waste facility's increase in state fees. Full Story 

After delay initiated by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, Congress finally passes $19.1 billion disaster aid package

by Adam Willis

The bill includes a provision aimed at forcing the federal government to release more than $4 billion to Texas that Congress allocated to the state more than a year ago. Full Story 

Lawmakers pass bills to better fund Texas parks, historic sites — if voters approve

by Carlos Anchondo

Advocates have pushed for years to put a constitutional amendment before voters to ensure Texas parks and historic sites get the maximum funding authorized from a sales tax on sporting goods. They have finally succeeded. Full Story 

Legislation with $1.7 billion for flood control and mitigation projects goes to governor

by Carlos Anchondo

Lawmakers behind the bills said the legislation will create a more resilient Texas and better prepare the state for storms. Full Story 

Texans in Congress push for release of billions in Harvey aid approved more than a year ago

by Adam Willis

Texas, Puerto Rico and other communities hit by major natural disasters have been waiting for over a year to receive their shares of $16 billion in grant funding approved by Congress. Full Story 

Texas House passes bill to spend more than $3 billion to help pay for flood control projects

by Carlos Anchondo

With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters. Full Story 

Texas farmers could begin growing hemp under legislation gaining steam in both chambers

by Alex Samuels

House Bill 1325 would legalize hemp and hemp-derived extracts like CBD oil as long as they contain no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive element in marijuana known as THC. Full Story 

Judge orders alleged polluter of Skull Creek to stop accepting, disposing of waste

by Carlos Anchondo

After a day of testimony, lawyers from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and Inland Environmental and Remediation agreed that the company will begin cleaning up its Altair site. Full Story 

Once again, bills to study the impacts of climate change in Texas have stalled

by Carlos Anchondo

Democratic state lawmakers filed multiple bills this year to require the state to prepare for a warming planet. None of them have been scheduled for public hearings. Full Story 

Renewable energy proponents brace for last-minute attack on tax breaks for wind and solar

by Kiah Collier

For the past year, an influential conservative think tank has lobbied to make wind and solar projects ineligible for a popular local property tax abatement program. A measure to do that has stalled, but renewable advocates are watching for last-minute changes to other legislation. Full Story 

As demand for recyclables plummets abroad, Texas lawmakers back plan to boost market at home

by Carlos Anchondo

A bill designed to encourage Texas manufacturers to use more recyclable materials won final approval Monday. It comes as China and India have implemented policies restricting the import of plastics and other materials. Full Story 

In wake of Houston-area chemical fires, Texas Senate panel weighs input on stronger storage tank regulations

by Kiah Collier

The Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs took public testimony on a bill that would strengthen state oversight of above-ground tanks that hold hazardous hydrocarbons. Full Story 

Beto O'Rourke unveils plan to fight climate change

by Patrick Svitek

In the first major policy rollout of his presidential campaign, O'Rourke focuses on one of the most dominant issues in his party. Full Story 

Texas House votes to legalize the farming of industrial hemp

by Alex Samuels

Hemp is a cousin of the marijuana plant, but it contains low levels of the psychoactive element in marijuana known as THC. The House's bill will now go to the Senate. Full Story 

Point of Order: Crude awakening

by Evan Smith and Michael Rey de Leon

In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Chris Paddie, who chairs the House Energy Resources Committee, about the impact of oil and gas activity on the Texas economy, the downside of the upside, and what the future holds. Full Story 

Hurricane Harvey destroyed every apartment in Rockport. Some residents are looking to state lawmakers for help.

by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn, Richard Loria, Todd Wiseman and Woojae Julia Song

This is the first legislative session since the storm devastated the Texas Gulf Coast in August 2017. Several measures are afoot to aid in recovery and mitigate the effects of future disasters. Full Story 

West unveils memorial six years after fertilizer plant explosion killed 15

by Morgan Kuehler, Texas Standard

The memorial is about 100 yards away from where the fertilizer plant once stood and has a reflecting pool surrounded by 15 plaques — one for each person who died. Full Story 

A creek flowing to the Colorado River turned black. Now the state has sued the alleged polluter.

by Carlos Anchondo

Residents near Altair began complaining that Skull Creek reeked of chemicals. The Texas attorney general's office says a local company is to blame. Full Story 

Trump issues executive orders seeking to speed up oil and gas pipeline projects

by Steven Mufson and Toluse Olorunnipa, The Washington Post

Oil and gas companies have complained that protests and court cases have slowed construction of pipelines needed as U.S. fossil fuel production expands. Full Story 

Why has Texas suddenly decided to immediately sue industrial polluters?

by Kiah Collier

In recent weeks, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has swiftly sued two companies over major fires at their Houston-area plants. It's a dramatic departure from the state's usual approach to environmental enforcement. Full Story