The Texas Tribune produced several deep-dive investigations in 2018 that examined various issues that affect Texans across the state. Here’s a look at some of those standout projects.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Environment
Rebuilding commission calls Hurricane Harvey a “wakeup call” for Texas
A report by the Commission to Rebuild Texas says there is an urgent need to “future-proof” the Gulf Coast.
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Protecting the Coast
Galveston residents weigh in on hurricane levee proposal that some call “a really bad, bad plan”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office proposed a massive levee system for the Houston area in late October that would cost as much as $20 billion. It’s part of a larger plan to protect the state’s coastline from hurricane storm surge.
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Environment
Texas parks department, advocates pushing Congress to reauthorize key conservation fund
The chief of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says the absence of the 54-year-old Land and Water Conservation Fund is a “substantial loss” for state parks and natural areas.
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Blowout: Inside America's energy gamble
Surge of oil and gas flowing to Texas coastline triggers building boom, tensions
For Texas ports, the rise in oil and gas exports is a windfall. For some communities, it’s not so simple.
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Economy
Amid industrial boom, Corpus Christi officials look to meet growing water demand
As more oil and gas facilities come online in the Coastal Bend, the city and port of Corpus — and a handful of private companies — are planning to build a bevy of seawater desalination plants.
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Environment
Federal report: Hurricane Harvey was a climate change harbinger
A major scientific report released Friday by the Trump administration says Hurricane Harvey and other recent extreme weather events are a sign of things to come as the earth warms.
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Environment
Report: Toxic herbicide found in many Texans’ drinking water
Nearly 500 water utilities across the state tested positive for atrazine — a weed killer — which can lead to harmful health effects, according to a new report. The Environmental Working Group also found that utilities are testing water during times when the herbicide isn’t being used as much — and that they may be lowballing the results.
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Environment
Reef restoration projects aim to bolster Texas’ record-low oyster population
The Nature Conservancy plans to use settlement money from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to construct new oyster reefs in Galveston and Copano bays.
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Blowout: Inside America's energy gamble
Drilling overwhelms agency protecting America’s lands
The Bureau of Land Management is making it easier to produce oil and gas on federal acreage. In southeastern New Mexico, it can’t even keep up with what’s already happening.
