Within a decade, Texas will lead the nation in sicknesses linked to ozone-forming pollutants from oil and gas activity, according to a new analysis from a pair of environmental groups released Wednesday.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Promised to Track Oilfield Waste in Aquifers. It Didn’t.
Texas regulators have allowed energy companies in recent years to inject toxic materials into at least a “handful” of underground sources of drinking water, records show.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: A New Tool for Flood Forecasting
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: a new computer tool is designed to better forecast floods nationwide, waters highlighted during the Olympics are not alone in being polluted and questions surge after Louisiana floods.
Posted in
Economy
“Why Are You So Angry at the Railroad Commission?” Texas Lawmaker Asks Reviewers
State lawmakers on Monday considered a host of recommendations to reshape and rename the Texas Railroad Commission, a powerful agency that oversees a host of oil and gas activities but not railroads.
Posted in
Energy
EPA: North Texas Quakes Likely Linked to Oil and Gas Drilling
Federal regulators believe “there is a significant possibility” that a recent surge in North Texas earthquakes is linked to oil and gas activity, even if state regulators won’t say so.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Laredo Plastic Bag Ban Tossed by Court
A state appeals court has struck down a plastic bag ban in Laredo in a high-profile fight over local control that could ultimately impact similar laws in other Texas cities.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Draining the Ogallala Aquifer
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: The Ogallala aquifer is being drained away, a coral reef off the Texas coast is the scene of a mass marine life die-off and an interview with Paul Choules of the Texas Desalination Association.
Posted in
Environment
Tiny Nordheim Sues State Over Drilling Waste Dump
A tiny South Texas town is continuing its fight against an oil and gas waste site half its size, even after regulators gave its developer the go-ahead. Residents of Nordheim, population 316, are suing the Texas Railroad Commission.
Posted in
Energy
Toxic Landfill Plan Near Colonia Raises Racism Charges
Laredo residents are protesting a proposed landfill that they say will make their community a dumping ground for toxic waste from across the United States and Mexico.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Challenges EPA’s Crackdown on Oilfield Methane
Texas is again taking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to court, this time challenging new rules aimed at slashing methane emissions in the oil patch.
