In its first hearing since an earthquake and tsunami crippled Japan and threatened nuclear meltdown at several reactors, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission heard testimony today on whether to give early-stage approval to a new nuclear plant in Texas.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Beach Projects at Risk From Lawsuit, Budget
The General Land Office has a lot on its plate these days — a controversial property rights lawsuit, the reopening of Texas’ favorite surf spot and an ongoing project to restore Texas’ most fertile fishing pier.
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Energy
Abundant With Natural Gas, State Eyes More Oversight
Texas’ renewed commitment to natural gas comes at a time of sharply increased scrutiny for the gas industry.
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Energy
Does Gas Drilling Put Radiation in Texas Water?
With drilling on the rise, the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality answer questions about whether Texans need to worry about radioactivity in their water.
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Energy
Texas in Top 10 Solar States, Report Says
A new report says that Texas ranked 10th in installations of solar power in 2010, a jump from the previous year. But this is unlikely to deter solar proponents pushing for more legislative incentives.
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Energy
Budget Cuts Could Close State Parks, Limit Hunter Education
State parks, hunting lands and even the parks agency’s magazine could suffer if the Legislature enacts a hefty budget cut for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
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Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Ramshaw and Stiles on the tepid growth of Big D during the last decade, Hamilton talks immigration with state Rep. Leo Berman, M. Smith on Texas education’s Race to the Top efforts and more: The best of our best content from Feb. 28 to March 4, 2011.
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Energy
Who Owns the State’s Water? Depends Whom You Ask
It sounds simple: Who owns the groundwater in Texas? But this issue, like others in the hot-button area of aquifer planning, is embroiled in an ongoing policy battle.
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Energy
When Is a Tax Not a Tax?
Many Texas lawmakers have forsworn taxes, but they also promised to educate kids, to build roads, to care for the needy and to do what government is expected to do. It’s the adult version of those mathematical story problems that made sixth grade so much fun.
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Energy
Bill Would Allow Advertising at State Parks
With the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facing budget cuts and park closures, Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports that lawmakers are looking at an unconventional solution — advertising in parks — to help pay for maintenance and promote tourism.