The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
Just weeks after blasting DuPont for safety violations following a deadly chemical plant incident last November, federal regulators slapped the manufacturing giant with a new fine for safety violations at its plant in La Porte. Full Story
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Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday filed a lawsuit over the Environmental Protection Agency's rejection of parts of a Texas clean air program, launching the state’s second battle against EPA regulations in less than two weeks. Full Story
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Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller defended his new nutrition policy Wednesday, praising his department's decision to "abolish outdated and unneeded state mandates" and allow schools to install deep fryers and soda machines. Full Story
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Over the course of this year's legislative session, House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made their priorities known by what bills got the lowest bill numbers. Take a look at how those proposals fared. Full Story
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Gas producers in North Texas’ Barnett Shale are responsible for significantly more methane pollution than previously estimated, according to a new series of studies. Full Story
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The number of oil rigs operating in the U.S. has risen for the first time this year, suggesting stabilization in the American market. Analysts say U.S. crude prices have settled around $60 a barrel. Full Story
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Texas is set to receive another $788 million stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill under a settlement between BP, the federal government and five Gulf Coast states. Full Story
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Despite recent wet weather, state environmental regulators have extended limits on downstream releases from Lakes Travis and Buchanan, meaning rice farmers and other customers will go without water from the lakes for the fourth straight year. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Aquifers globally are draining more rapidly than they can refill, a new water partnership is launched in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and an interview with Steve DiMarco of Texas A&M University. Full Story
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As the glow from Permian Basin work sites hinders research and amateur stargazing at the McDonald Observatory in far West Texas, some companies are calling on their colleagues to address the problem. Full Story
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Texas is challenging the EPA's new "Waters of the U.S." rule, which is aimed at better defining the the scope of bodies of water protected under the Clean Water Act. Critics say the rule will lead to more regulation and a takeover of private property. Full Story
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A coalition of states including Texas has defeated the Environmental Protection Agency in a battle over major regulations on mercury, acid gases and other toxic metals emissions that spew from power plants, including many plants in Texas. Full Story
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The agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws in Texas is paying a private company $1.65 million to conduct research to challenge forthcoming U.S. Environmental Protection Agency restrictions on ozone pollution, which exacerbates asthma, lung and heart disease. Full Story
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Milton Rister, executive director of the Texas Railroad Commission, plans to leave the agency on Aug. 31, according to a letter he sent to commissioners. Full Story
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Come August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may require Texas to cut 200 billion pounds of carbon emissions over the next two decades. Top Republican officials still won’t confirm whether Texas will flout those rules — an option that some critics call risky. Full Story
Low-income Texans can enjoy a discount on their electricity bills for a little longer. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed legislation ensuring that the remaining balance of the state’s “System Benefit Fund” would go toward that purpose. Full Story
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As recently as 2011, Texas endured the most intense drought in recorded state history. But the rainfall so far in 2015 has left less than 1 percent of the state in drought conditions. And Texas reservoirs are not far behind; they're collectively about 83 percent full. Full Story
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The North Texas city of Denton made headlines last year when voters there banned the oil drilling technique known as fracking. Early Wednesday morning, the Denton City Council repealed that ban. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Fears that with rain's arrival conservation will be forgotten, using aquifers to ease future droughts and an interview with Samuel D. Brody of Texas A&M University. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation that could make it tougher for local governments to sue big-time polluters – an effort that largely targets Harris County prosecutors. Full Story
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