Two months after Al Armendariz resigned from his post as a Texas-based regional director for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Sierra Club has announced that Armendariz is joining its “Beyond Coal” campaign.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
More Areas in Gulf of Mexico to be Opened for Drilling
The Obama administration has announced plans to to expand drilling activities in the Gulf of Mexico, even as lingering effects of the disastrous 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill are still felt along parts of the Texas coastline.
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Energy
Regulators Approve Hike in Wholesale Electric Prices
The Public Utility Commission approved a 50 percent increase for the cap on wholesale electricity prices on the Texas electrical grid. That will mean higher prices for ordinary Texans, consumer advocates fear.
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Energy
Recycling Efforts by Drilling Industry a Focus of House Hearing
Much of the discussion at a Wednesday House committee hearing centered around efforts by drilling companies to recycle water or reduce their water consumption. Environmentalists questioned whether they are doing enough.
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Energy
As Temperatures Soar, State Weighs Risks of Blackouts
This week’s 100-degree weather across the state has raised important questions about how often Texas would need to force rolling blackouts to keep pace with demand. For the state, it mostly comes down how much power it has in its reserves — and how much it’s willing to spend for it.
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Energy
TPWD Looks to Rebound After Devastating Year
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is still feeling the effects of last year’s wildfires, drought and budget cuts, but officials say the situation is improving with increased park attendance and donations.
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Energy
Life by the Drop: Drought, Water and the Future of Texas
Drought may be a part of life in Texas, but last year’s crisis left an indelible mark on the state. In a special report on the 2011 drought, KUT News, StateImpact Texas and Texas Monthly examine how the state will manage a growing population amid a shrinking water supply.
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Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aguilar on the aftermath of changes in U.S. immigration policy, Batheja on how the Republican candidates for Senate are handling that sensitive issue, KUT’s Philpott on new driver’s license laws and immigration, M. Smith on racial tensions and an ousted police chief in Jasper, Galbraith on the state’s efforts to limit electric service blackouts, Hamilton on the hot Campbell-Wentworth Senate runoff in Central Texas, Murphy maps the May primary voting, Root on the restoration of the arson-damaged Texas Governor’s Mansion and Dehn’s latest Weekend Insider on obese Texans: The best of our best content from June 18 to 22, 2012.
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Energy
Even in Coastal Areas, Drought Leaves Lasting Concerns
As last year’s drought intensified, the Colorado River brought less fresh water to the Gulf of Mexico. For the latest installment in KUT News’ series on water issues, Mose Buchele looks at Matagorda Bay, where water quality has suffered — and the economy, too.
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Energy
Drought Maps Show Improvement, but Dry Conditions Linger
For the first time since March 2011, no part of Texas is under the worst stage of drought, according to new U.S. Drought Monitor data. But as Laura Rice of KUT News reports, some parts of the state are drier than they’ve been in the last few months.
