The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is warning that the worst one-year drought on record is causing black bears to change their behavior, roaming farther from traditional habitats and potentially becoming more aggressive toward people.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Despite Scrutiny, Perry Gives Two Donors Plum Posts
Despite the national media’s intense scrutiny of his history of appointing big-dollar donors to high-profile positions, Gov. Rick Perry named two such donors to key boards Wednesday.
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Energy
Cost of Wind Power Transmission Lines Rises Sharply to $6.79 Billion
The cost of building several thousand miles of transmission lines to carry wind power across Texas is now estimated at $6.79 billion, a 38 percent increase from the initial projection three years ago.
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Energy
In Drought, Ranchers Sending More Cattle to Auction
The relentless drought still gripping the state has dried up drinking water for cattle, pushing ranchers to sell off parts or all of their herds at auction. Matt Largey of KUT News reports.
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Energy
Perry Has Sought Energy Diversification — Within Some Important Limits
Gov. Rick Perry often emphasizes that he favors diversification of energy sources — and the record mostly bears him out. Wind farms and gas drilling have proliferated under his tenure, and he has tried to make building coal plants easier.
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Energy
Video: Austin Filmmaker Bradley Beesley on Newly Legalized Noodling
Throughout August, the Tribune will feature 31 ways Texans’ lives will change come Sept. 1, the date most bills passed by the Legislature take effect. DAY 18: The sport of catching catfish with bare hands, known as noodling, is now legal in Texas. Watch the Trib’s interview with filmmaker and avid noodler Bradley Beesley.
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Environment
In “Liberal Bastion,” Perry Receives an Unfriendly Welcome
Rick Perry came to press the flesh with voters in Portsmouth, N.H., Thursday — but he ran instead into a vociferous protest of his views on Social Security and Medicare outside a local cafe. It wasn’t much better inside.
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Energy
A Lizard Causes Oil and Gas Industry Drama
The sand dune lizard, located in parts of West Texas and New Mexico, could potentially be interfering with the drilling of oil and gas.
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Energy
ERCOT Urges Continued Energy Conservation
As the scorching summer days march on, so does the fear of blackouts.
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Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aguilar on the denial of asylum petitions by border judges, Galbraith on the history of wind, Grissom talks to the head of the Jail Standards Commission, Hamilton on plans for the state’s new online university, Murphy and Ramsey on political warchests at midyear, Philpott on Texas’ trucker shortage, Ramsey talks data privacy and abortion with Susan Combs, Ramshaw on the Rick Perry’s experimental adult stem cell procedure, Root on the response to The Response, M. Smith on the country’s could-be next first lady and Tan on a few of the ways Texas will change on Sept. 1: The best of our best content from Aug. 1 to 5, 2011.