The Texas House has given early approval to a bill that would allow property owners to plant new trees to offset municipal fees for tree removal on their land.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Persistence pays off for rural Texans besieged by sky-high power prices
After struggling to pay sky-high power line rates for more than three years, thousands of rural Texans are set to get relief.
Posted in
Energy
Environmental groups sue EPA over lax Texas air pollution permits
Environmental groups are taking the EPA to court, alleging the federal agency isn’t properly policing Texas air pollution permits they argue are too lax and complicated.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
A Pass to Poison: Texas regulators largely fail to crack down on top air polluters
Texas industrial polluters rarely face sanctions when they spew noxious chemicals into the air during malfunctions and other unplanned incidents, exceeding the emission limits of their state-issued air permits.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Restoring San Marcos’ glass-bottom boats
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Texas rivers art exhibit at the Capitol, restoring the glass-bottom boats in San Marcos and an interview with Aaron Wolf of Oregon State University.
Posted in
Energy
Report: Shopping for electricity is getting cheaper in Texas
Between 2006 and 2015, the last year for which data is available, residential electric prices for Texans who live in a competitive market decreased by 17.4 percent, while prices increased by 5.5 percent in other areas.
Posted in
Economy
Warren Buffett unveils deal to buy big piece of Texas electric grid
Warren Buffet is making a play for Texas’ largest electric transmission utility. Berkshire Hathaway, his multinational conglomerate, has unveiled a deal to buy Oncor.
Posted in
Energy
Lawmaker urged Abbott to veto bill legalizing hot air balloon hog hunting
A Republican lawmaker fears a new Texas law that allows the hunting of wild pigs and coyotes from hot air balloons could lead to “future catastrophes” without increased oversight of commercial ballooning.
Posted in
Energy
The Texas solar industry is growing. Some fear an international trade case could end that.
Cheap, imported solar panels have fueled growth in the solar industry in Texas, and reinvigorated the careers of laid-off oilfield workers. Some industry leaders fear a trade case will increase prices and end that growth.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Zebra mussels found in Lake Travis
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Zebra mussels are found in Lake Travis, a new approach to wastewater treatment and an interview with Carrie Kasnicka of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust.
