The lawsuit filed by 80 plaintiffs Thursday accuse Elon Musk’s company of gross negligence and trespassing for loud blasts from 11 rocket tests.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Data Centers in Texas
Proposed Fort Bliss data center could use more power than all of El Paso
The far East El Paso complex, which the U.S. Army wants to be operational by 2027, is one of several the Department of Defense plans to support artificial intelligence in the military.
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Hill Country floods
Camp Mystic abandons bid to reopen this summer
Twenty-five campers, two counselors and the Hill Country Christian camp’s executive director died in a devastating 2025 flood. Families of victims had criticized plans to reopen.
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Environment
Corpus Christi delays action on plan to cut water use by 25% if emergency is declared
A Level 1 emergency, which could arrive in September, would limit households to 5,250 gallons a month under proposed restrictions. About 30% of residential customers use more.
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Hill Country floods
Poor preparation doomed Camp Mystic victims, investigator tells Texas lawmakers in harrowing account
The summer camp hadn’t prepared counselors and staff with adequate emergency training, an evacuation plan or flood preparedness supplies, the investigator concluded.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas lieutenant governor Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
The lieutenant governor’s office is one of the most powerful in Texas government, and the 2026 race features a Democratic runoff between Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Velez.
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Environment
Study finds toxic benzene emissions along the Texas Gulf Coast are among the highest in the nation
Researchers found that state policy and oil refineries’ failure to fix leaks contributed more to high benzene emissions than the size or capacity of the refineries.
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Environment
Testing finds toxic metals where Tesla lithium refinery discharges wastewater in South Texas
The drainage district that commissioned the testing has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company, which says it is in compliance with all requirements for its state wastewater discharge permit.
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Environment
Corpus Christi leaders weigh how much to reduce customers’ water use amid growing crisis
A proposal the city council is expected to vote on next week includes requiring customers to cut their water use by 25% and imposing additional fees on water used beyond certain limits.
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Energy
Low-producing oil wells linger for years, causing headaches for Texas landowners
Jackie Chesnutt, who lives outside San Angelo, is tired of pollution from nearly inactive wells. Experts say Texas rules allow companies to defer plugging wells for far too long.