The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
UT-Austin’s energy system operates as an island, outside of the electricity grid that covers most of Texas. It's getting more efficient over time, avoiding millions of dollars in fuel costs. Full Story
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A small town in southern Denmark has found a highly efficient way to heat its homes: by capturing and storing energy from the sun. This is part of a series about global and local efforts to conserve energy and limit pollution through energy efficiency. Full Story
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Sometimes called the "Rodney Dangerfield" of the energy industry, the district energy concept has fueled Denmark's shift from fossil fuels. Energy efficiency advocates want to encourage more district energy projects in Texas. Full Story
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Facing the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, Denmark shifted from fossil fuels. Texas responded differently. Here's a look at how things went for each. Full Story
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The U.S. Justice Department is suing to block the acquisition of Dallas-based Waste Control Specialists, which wants to expand the nuclear waste dump it operates in West Texas. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: A new study stokes sea-level rise fears, major water conference planned for January and an interview with Collins K. Balcombe of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Full Story
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Hundreds protested at the Capitol on Tuesday, one of several demonstrations across the country against the oil pipeline being built by Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners. Full Story
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The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that producers could tap some 20 billion more barrels of oil from under the Midland area. It's the agency's largest discovery of recoverable crude ever. Full Story
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President-elect Donald Trump may be seen as a boon for fossil fuels and a burden for renewables. But energy experts and clean energy groups say his victory may not be a win for Texas oil and gas — or a totally bad thing for wind and solar. Full Story
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The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission on Thursday snubbed several recommendations meant to enhance the Railroad Commission of Texas' efficiency and environmental regulatory functions. Full Story
Libertarians on Tuesday earned a spot on Texas' next general election ballot. The Green Party must seek another route. Full Story
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Former state Rep. Wayne Christian, a Republican, notched an easy victory Tuesday in the race for Texas railroad commissioner. Full Story
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Texas touts its wind power production, but a new report suggests that the state doesn't utilize that energy, with around 10 percent of the energy on the grid coming from wind turbines. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: The longtime attractions at Aquarena Springs are being revived, satellite images show the impact of a Texas flood and an interview with John Nielsen-Gammon, the Texas State Climatologist. Full Story
VW is atoning for its massive emissions scandal in a $15 billion settlement. A federal judge formally signed off on the deal Tuesday. Full Story
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Mark Miller, a Libertarian running for Railroad Commission, is gaining an unusual amount of attention in a turbulent election cycle, leaving his party hopeful that it can make a splash in a statewide race. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: A look at the surge in the market for bottled water, using underground reservoirs to manage water shortages and an interview with Gabe Collins and Hilmar Blumberg. Full Story
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the city of Brownsville, calling its $1 bag fee an “illegal sales tax.” Full Story
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Researchers and scientists are at odds about how to protect the Houston Ship Channel, and Texas legislators will try again to reach a consensus in 2017. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: New information points to health risks by cities that pump groundwater, reservoirs could be contributing significant amounts of methane gas and an interview with Stuart Henry, former Sierra Club attorney. Full Story