The Texas Railroad Commission is asking West Texas oil and gas operators to curb light pollution — particularly around the University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory — so astronomers can see the stars at night.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Roundup: Cruz Campaigns, Clean Power Plan is Blocked
In the Roundup: Ted Cruz looks ahead to the South Carolina primary, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the subject of yet another investigation and the U.S. Supreme Court says Texas and more than two dozen other states can wait to take major action on climate change.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Regulators Eye Deceptive Electricity Pricing
Texas regulators say they’re ready to crack down on power companies that try to rope consumers into buying electricity plans that are pricier than they appear.
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Economy
Texas Regulators Uncertain on Hunt Deal
With a deadline for action looming, Texas regulators are struggling to make up their minds about the finer points of the Ray L. Hunt family’s $18 billion proposal to buy and reshape Oncor, the state’s biggest electric utility.
Posted in
Economy
With Clean Power Plan Ruling, Texas Dodges Climate Action
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday to block President Obama’s Clean Power Plan has helped state Republicans — at least temporarily — dodge major action on climate change.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
New in Trib+Water: Utilities Feel Drought’s Impact
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Past the worst of the drought, water utilities are still feeling the impact, talk of a statewide water grid resurfaces and an interview with filmmaker Merri Lisa Trigilio.
Posted in
Energy
U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Obama’s Clean Power Plan
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a request from Texas and more than two dozen other states to block President Obama’s Clean Power Plan.
Posted in
Energy
Video: A Conversation with GOP Railroad Commission Candidates
Full video of my 2/8 conversation with seven Republican candidates for Texas Railroad Commissioner.
Posted in
Energy
Railroad Commission Hopefuls Split on Donations
Candidates Ron Hale, Weston Martinez and Lance Christian say they would support a proposal barring railroad commissioners from accepting political donations from parties doing business before the commission.
Posted in
Economy
Hunt’s Controversial Oncor Plan Could Spark Texas-Wide Trend
As Texas regulators weigh the Ray L. Hunt family’s plan to buy Oncor, the state’s largest electric utility, and reorganize its corporate structure to save on taxes, at least one other giant utility is considering a similar move.
