Thousands of windmills still exist in remote Texas pastures, pumping water from aquifers for cattle to drink. But the dwinding group of men who sell and fix windmills face hard times due to the drought and competition from solar pumps.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Weekend Insider: Texas Weatherization Program, Windmilling
In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, reporter Becca Aaronson talks about the embattled Texas weatherization program getting back on track. Reporter Kate Galbraith introduces us to a family that’s been “windmilling” for more than 100 years.
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Energy
Drought’s Economic Impact Spreading From Rural to Urban Areas
Despite the record dry stretch, most Texans are still far from running out of water. But the drought’s economic impact is beginning to extend beyond agriculture and into tourism, real estate and other staples of urban economies.
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Energy
Prop 2 Would Help Fund Water-Supply Projects
On Nov. 8, Texans will vote on 10 constitutional amendments. Erika Aguilar of KUT News has a look at Proposition 2, which would allow the state to issue up to $6 billion in bonds for water infrastructure projects across Texas.
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Energy
Ballot Initiative Would Improve Water, Lower Property Taxes
An amendment to the Texas Constitution on the ballot next month will lower property taxes for landowners who practice good water stewardship. It received unanimous backing in the Legislature.
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Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Hamilton on efforts to boost faculty productivity, Grissom on newly uncovered evidence in an old murder case, Galbraith on a wind-powered construction boom, Dehn unfurls the new Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, Aguilar on this year’s record number of deportations, Ramshaw and Tan on budget cuts and cervical cancer screenings, M. Smith on local control over student grades, Root and Ramshaw on Rick Perry’s latest debate performance, Philpott on an issue that didn’t get its due in that debate and Titus and Murphy on fundraising and spending in congressional races: The best of our best content from October 17 to 21, 2011.
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Energy
Despite Lingering Concerns, Wind Power Transmission Lines Go Up
Workers are stringing thousands of miles of wires across Texas to aid the wind-power boom, despite lingering controversy — and an estimated cost of $6.8 billion. West Texas businesses have found a niche providing for workers.
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Energy
Weekend Insider: Super PAC Influence, Wind Power Challenges
In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, executive editor Ross Ramsey talks about the influence super PACs have on political campaigns, and reporter Kate Galbraith explains the challenges Texas faces with its wind power boom.
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Energy
New Federal Forecast Says Drought Likely to Worsen Over Winter
While already-sodden northern regions of the United States can prepare for above-average rains this winter, the worst one-year drought in Texas history looks set to persist, according to a federal winter forecast released today.
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Energy
Parched Western States Looking to Perry’s Water Record
You won’t hear about the water problems out West during the GOP presidential debate, but as Ben Philpott reports for KUT News and the Texas Tribune, the problems are there — and the next President could play a role in the solutions.