With the Big Dry upon us, the fight over the water percolating under the surface in Texas’ underground aquifers was bound to get contentious before the end of the legislative session. And it did, at least for a while, because of one modifier.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
LCRA Boss Resigns
The general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority announced his resignation Tuesday, setting off a potential battle over the future of the enormous Central Texas wholesale electricity and water supplier.
Posted in
Energy
82nd Lege Session a Good One for Energy Efficiency
The Legislature passed a handful of energy-saving measures this session, ranging from allowing churches access to an energy-efficiency loan program to recalibrating a statewide efficiency program.
Posted in
Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson and Grissom on a freshman lawmaker who didn’t mind making waves, Aguilar on E-Verify’s new lease on life, Galbraith on the state’s plodding progress toward solar power, Hamilton on Warren Chisum’s exit, Philpott on the remapping of Lloyd Doggett’s district, Ramsey on a proposed change to ethics laws for Texas pols, Ramshaw on efforts by the state to take control of Medicaid and Medicare, Root on why a Rick presidential bid shouldn’t be underestimated, M. Smith on the unraveling of school finance legislation and Tan and Dehn on the highs and lows of the 82nd legislative session: The best of our best content from May 30 to June 3, 2011.
Posted in
Energy
With Little Help From Austin, Texas’ Solar Use Grows — Slowly
Renewable energy companies are looking to this big, sunny state as the next frontier for solar power. But solar is expensive, and once again the Legislature did not pass a statewide solar incentive. Some companies and communities are forging ahead nonetheless.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway
The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting.
Posted in
Energy
Senate Passes Fracking Disclosure Bill
After a lengthy discussion, the Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would require drilling companies using hydraulic fracturing techniques to disclose on a public website the chemicals they use in the process.
Posted in
Energy
Prospects Dimming for Bill to Aid McDonald Observatory
A bill aimed at reducing the glare from outdoor lighting in a large swath of West Texas in order to help the McDonald Observatory is currently stuck in the Senate, though its sponsor hopes to get it to the floor by the tomorrow’s legislative deadline.
Posted in
Energy
Senate OKs “Reptile Bill”
The Senate passed the “reptile bill” today, which creates regulations for hunters who want to collect snakes and horny toads along Texas highways.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Files Challenge to EPA “Endangerment Finding”
Acting on behalf of 14 other states, the state of Texas today filed an opening brief in its case seeking to overturn a finding by the Environmental Protection Agency that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare.