Though Texas has been promised at least $100 million for coastal restoration after the BP oil spill, the process of disbursing funds for projects like protecting marshland is facing delays.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Enthusiasm Declines Over “Smart” Meters Program
Millions of “smart” electricity meters have been installed in homes, but now some Texans say the program should be optional. And some lawmakers are listening.
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Energy
Spokesman: George P. Bush is Still Shopping
George P. Bush, who filed campaign papers last week, is considering a run for Texas land commissioner, but hasn’t ruled out other options in the 2014 election cycle, his campaign said Wednesday.
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Energy
LCRA Approves Compromise Plan to Release Water for Rice Farmers
The board of the Lower Colorado River Authority voted Wednesday to release water to rice farmers next spring if Central Texas’ Highland Lakes, already diminished by drought, do not drop below 38.5 percent full.
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Energy
Emergency Drought Plan May Cut Rice Farmers Off Again
In another sign the Texas drought is far from over, the Lower Colorado River Authority is contemplating whether to enact an emergency plan that could cut off water supplies to rice farmers for the second year.
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Energy
TribuneFest: Water and the Land
At our Oct. 29 symposium on the future of water at Texas State University, Terrence Henry of NPR’s StateImpact Texas talked to Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, David Langford of the Texas Wildlife Association and Laura Huffman of The Nature Conservancy of Texas.
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Energy
Despite “Green” Label, Austin a Growing Oil Hub
Despite its “Keep Austin Weird” slogan and passion for clean energy, Austin is increasingly attracting oil and gas companies thanks to its entrepreneurial bent and reputation as a fun place to live.
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Energy
Lawmakers Keep Pressing for Urgent Water Action
Whether the Legislature will take action to shore up the state’s water supplies, and what that action will be, are the questions that everyone in the water world is asking. The Speaker of the House appears ready to push.
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Energy
TribuneFest: Water and the Environment
At the Trib’s Oct. 29 symposium on the future of water at Texas State University, Kate Galbraith talked to former state Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, Myron Hess of the National Wildlife Federation and Bob Huston of the Environmental Flows Science Advisory Committee.
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Energy
TribuneFest: A Conversation with Ritter and Hegar
At the Trib’s Oct. 29 symposium at Texas State University on the future of water, I talked with state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, and state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, a member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.