A Legislative Budget Board report on how government can be more effective has recommended that the state reduce its gas tax exemption for hydraulic fracturing.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Amid Drought, Water Wars Pick Up on Borders
As Texas’ drought wears into its third year, the state is locked in a legal conflict over water with New Mexico, and a North Texas county is suing the state of Oklahoma to get access to a vast amount of water.
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Energy
Study: Amount of Water Used in Fracking Climbs, but Will Soon Plateau
A new University of Texas at Austin study funded by an oil and gas group has found that the amount of water used in fracking has risen sharply in recent years but would level off sometime in the decade starting in 2020.
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Energy
Ruling on Lesser Prairie Chicken Could Impact Wind, Drilling Industries
In September, the federal government will decide whether to classify a West Texas grouse called the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species. Such a move could have serious repercussions for the wind and drilling industries.
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Energy
Lawmakers Talk of Bold Measures This Session
Momentum is growing for Texas lawmakers to commit large amounts of money to address the state’s long-term infrastructure needs, particularly water and transportation.
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Energy
State of Mind: State Water Woes
People in parts of West Texas know that lawmakers can’t make it rain, but they hope that the legislators they send to Austin can find funding for a statewide water plan to ease the drought pain in the coming session. Several state leaders are vowing to find the money.
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Energy
Ritter’s Bills Would Put $2 Billion Toward Water Projects
State Rep. Allan Ritter, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, filed two bills on Thursday that would allocate $2 billion from Texas’ Rainy Day Fund to create a fund for water-supply projects. It’s the largest amount proposed to date.
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Energy
As Oil and Gas Booms, Town Hopes for Transformation
Even a surging local economy, aided by the oil and gas industry, hasn’t spared the coastal town of Port Lavaca from the pain of state budget cuts, which have hit local schools especially hard.
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Energy
LCRA Approves Water Plan Likely to Cut Off Rice Farmers
The Lower Colorado River Authority’s board of directors on Tuesday unanimously approved an emergency plan that could cut off water for most rice farmers downstream to protect supplies for the city of Austin.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
State of Mind: Coastal Texans Push to Reform Windstorm Insurance
Texas’ coastal residents say repeat hikes in premiums by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association have pushed them to rally for change. One coastal lawmaker is preparing to file legislation that would overhaul TWIA.