Gov. Greg Abbott was quick to criticize a similar vote last year, when he said the state may need to “micromanage” the city to protect water availability in the region.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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TribCast
TribCast: A data center proponent makes his case
In this week’s podcast, former Public Utilities Commission member Will McAdams, president of the McAdams Energy Group, describes why he thinks data centers are necessary and shouldn’t be overly regulated.
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Energy
Texas regulators approve two massive West Texas transmission lines amid outcry from landowners
Following hours of testimony on Friday, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved two transmission lines to ship electricity to the oil-and gas-producing west.
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Environment
FEMA still hasn’t approved most disaster aid for Texans hit by this year’s July floods
The six-week wait for approval fits a pattern: On average, the Trump White House is taking longer than previous administrations to approve major disaster assistance, research shows.
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Data Centers in Texas
After years of hardship, Texas agriculture faces a new threat: data centers
Data centers and agriculture depend on many of the same resources, such as water, land and electricity, which has some in the industry worried about the future.
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Environment
How Corpus Christi’s water emergency exposed flaws in Texas’ water planning
State water planners don’t use climate projections when they plan for future water supply. Experts say they should model for more extreme droughts rather than relying on historical data.
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T-Squared
We investigated development rules after the deadly 2025 Hill Country flood. Then it flooded again.
A Tribune-ProPublica investigation found Texas lawmakers repeatedly failed to take action that could have protected residents in flood-prone areas.
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Environment
Pressure mounts to allow treated oilfield waste in Texas rivers and on rangeland
As oil and gas companies run out of places to dispose of their wastewater, Texas regulators are drafting permits to treat and reuse it outside the oilfields.
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Immigration
Federal judge extends pause on border wall construction at South Texas wildlife refuge
An irrigation district claims border wall construction is damaging its property and canal.
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TribCast
TribCast: Could rural rage really swing a statewide election?
In this week’s episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and economy reporter Paul Cobler. They discuss the anger in rural Texas over data centers and power lines, and ask Miller why he thinks it means Democrats could win a statewide race in November.
