The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality safeguards the state’s natural resources, but this week a federal judge found the agency responsible for the deaths of 23 whooping cranes — a ruling with potentially wide-ranging consequences.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Lawmakers Say Mexico Falling Short on Its End of Water Treaty
A decades-old treaty that mandates how Mexico and the U.S. share water from rivers is once again the genesis of growing frustrations from U.S. landowners and lawmakers.
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Water for Fracking
Ambiguities Reign in Regulations for Groundwater Fracking
Can groundwater authorities in Texas require oil and gas drillers to obtain permits for the water they use in hydraulic fracturing? No one knows for sure, thanks to ambiguities in the water code.
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Energy
Legislation Would Help Bring Native Plants Back to Texas
With invasive plant species taking over the Texas landscape, lawmakers are looking at how to bring back native plants. Two new bills could help increase the supply of drought-resistant native seeds in Texas.
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Energy
Mexico’s Energy Proposal Stirs Interest in Texas
Mexico’s ruling party says the country’s oil monopoly will stay under state control. But on Sunday, the party adopted a platform to allow for private investment in the oil giant, drawing interest among Texas companies.
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Energy
Oil Boom Moves Fracking to Forefront in Legislature
Despite mounting concerns over disruptions to the environment and infrastructure, Texas lawmakers haven’t soured on fracking. But that hasn’t kept the practice out of the sights of legislators pushing for more regulations.
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Energy
Water Planners Floating Several Reservoir Projects
Reservoir projects are inching forward throughout Texas as an answer to the drought, but environmentalists argue that they are unnecessary and expensive.
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Energy
Texas Shale Regions’ Fortunes Diverge
As the price of natural gas has declined, much of Texas’ drilling activity has moved south, to the Eagle Ford Shale, leaving the battle-tested Barnett Shale in North Texas with an uncertain future.
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Energy
Danny Krienke: The TT Interview
The North Plains Groundwater Conservation District board member on the district’s unusually strict water-meter requirements, the drought and how the iPad is making it possible to farm from a cafe.
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Energy
Raw Milk Bill Draws Proponents, Detractors to Hearing
Proponents and critics weighed in Wednesday on a bill that would allow the sale of raw milk at farmer’s markets and other sites like fairs and flea markets.