2011 — the driest year in Texas history — delivered a huge blow to cattle ranchers. And as Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports, the prospect of a continuing drought spells trouble for both ranchers and consumers.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aguilar on an environmental battle in South Texas, Galbraith on the impact of the drought, Grissom on the latest in the Michael Morton case, Hamilton and Theobald on plans for greater scrutiny of faculty performance, Murphy on Rick Perry’s campaign donors and expenditures, Ramsey on where we stand on redistricting, Ramshaw on the intense interest in stem cell rules, Root on a congressman’s controversial pipeline holdings, M. Smith on the backlash against student testing and Tan on the fight for a new medical school in Austin: The best of our best content from February 6-10, 2012.
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Energy
TribLive: Gallego on the EPA and Same-Sex Marriage
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, weighed in on several issues he’ll face if he wins election to Congress, including Texas vs. the EPA, same-sex marriage and funding for Planned Parenthood.
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Energy
On the Border, a Battle Over Mexican Mining
A brawl is brewing in South Texas, but this one has nothing to do with cartels or drug smuggling — it’s an environmental battle over a proposed surface-mining site that some Eagle Pass residents worry will ruin their way of life.
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Energy
State’s Electric Capacity Under Scrutiny
Last summer’s record heat pushed the Texas power grid to the brink. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, a state House committee today will look into what’s being done to prevent that from happening again.
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Energy
What if There’s a Mega-Drought? Comptroller Considers Impact
A report released Wednesday by the Texas comptroller’s office looks at the impact of the current drought and other scenarios.
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Energy
Rival Targets McCaul Over Pipeline Holdings
Legislation cracking down on insider trading by members of Congress hasn’t landed on the floor of the U.S. House yet, but it’s already become a hot topic in Congressional District 10, which Michael McCaul of Austin represents.
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Energy
TPPF Criticizes Upcoming “Avalanche” of EPA Rules
A report released Monday by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation renewed its criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmentalists say the group’s concerns are misplaced.
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Energy
In Texas’ Drilling Boom, a Human Toll
The oil and gas drilling boom continues to benefit the Texas economy, but it’s coming at a human price. Dave Fehling of StateImpact Texas reports on the disturbing number of workers in the industry who are getting injured, or worse, on the job.
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Energy
BP Spill Money for Texas: $100M — and Counting
Unlike other Gulf states, Texas beaches did not get soaked with oil after the BP spill two years ago. Nonetheless, $100 million — and possibly far more, depending on the courts and Congress — is about to start flowing to Texas from BP for coastal restoration.