Texas Environment: Climate, conservation & Policy

The shelves in the bottled water section of a Walmart in Corpus Christi were nearly empty on the morning of Dec. 15, 2016. Nearly two years after the city's water ban, the area's water now has a clean bill of health.

Environment

Corpus Christi water tests clean after years of problems

By Natalia AlamdariJuly 11, 2018

City officials credit the improvement to a change in how water is treated.

In 1997, workers construct the San Antonio River Tunnel, which diverts floodwaters beneath the city.

Environment

Is a massive tunnel system the answer to Houston’s flood woes?

By Natalia AlamdariJuly 6, 2018

Other Texas cities have built underground channels to divert stormwater. Experts say it might not be the right way to go for Houston, but that it’s still worth exploring.

The Theater District in downtown Houston on Sunday, Aug 27, 2017, is flooded by water from Buffalo Bayou.

In Harvey's Wake

Trump administration announces more than $5 billion for Texas flood control projects

By Kiah CollierJuly 5, 2018

Almost a year after Hurricane Harvey dumped historic rains on Texas, the state will receive more than $5 billion for a range of flood control projects, repairs and studies, the Trump administration announced Thursday.

Streets flood in central Houston during heavy rain on July 4, 2018.

In Harvey's Wake

Flash flooding in Houston sparks memories of Harvey

By Natalia Alamdari and Paul CoblerJuly 5, 2018

Residents watched cautiously as parts of the city received up to 8 inches of rain.

Hays County residents Ann Arendarczyk, left, and Leigh Peterson look at water resource maps during a public meeting on June 18 at the Wimberley Community Center, where concerned residents learned about Electro Purification's proposed permit to pump up to 2.5 million gallons of water daily from the Trinity Aquifer.

Environment

Hays County residents fear the fight to protect their water was all for nothing

By Natalia AlamdariJune 29, 2018

Hays County well owners thought they won the water fight against Houston-based Electro Purification three years ago. Now, regulators are left trying to balance residential priorities with business interests.

The Rio Grande has been the lifeblood of the valleys and civilizations it flowed through for more than 3,000 years. As cities and farms suck it dry and a warming climate makes it evaporate faster, the river's future has never been more uncertain.

Environment

Texas-New Mexico water fight could be impacted by SCOTUS ruling

By Natalia AlamdariJune 27, 2018

The high court’s decision lowers the burden of proof for states locked in similar water battles with upstream neighbors.

Single-use bag ban advocates hold a press conference before the Texas Supreme Court prior to oral arguments on the legality of Laredo’s ban on Jan. 11, 2018.

Environment

Texas Supreme Court strikes down Laredo’s plastic bag ban, likely ending others

By Emma PlatoffJune 22, 2018June 22, 2018

The state’s highest civil court has ruled that Laredo’s ban on plastic bags violates state law.

Energy

Faced with failure, state to propose new plan to protect West Texas lizard

By Kiah CollierJune 22, 2018

The state comptroller’s office went back to the drawing board after the failure of a 6-year-old plan to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard that relied on voluntary participation by the oil and gas industry.

An aerial view of the site of a proposed landfill by Laredo developer Carlos "C. Y." Benavides. The site is about 20 miles east of Laredo.

Environment

In years-long fight over proposed South Texas landfill, flood risks now take center stage

By Natalia AlamdariJune 22, 2018

Webb County officials say they want to rely on the latest science to ensure the site is safe from floods. The company behind the proposed landfill thinks opponents are playing politics to delay construction.