Areas of the Texas Gulf Coast are seeing blooms of the algae, which can make people sick and kill fish.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Sponsor Post
How bp is growing its Permian Basin production—and reducing emissions
bp’s transformation can serve as a model for how Texas, the US and the world can achieve energy security while also meeting the challenge of climate change.
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Energy
As federal money flows to carbon capture and storage, Texas bets on an undersea bonanza
The state is awarding offshore leases to oil and gas companies that hope to bury heat-trapping carbon dioxide deep beneath the seafloor. But critics worry about leakage and the lackluster record of carbon capture facilities onshore.
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Environment
Texas enlists out-of-state volunteers to combat wildfires
As the state’s wildfire season continues, rural fire departments and their volunteers are strained to keep up with hundreds of fires.
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Energy
U.S. Rep. Randy Weber concerned Texas projects hurt amid Freedom Caucus budget fight
The far-right congressman from Friendswood still backs the conservative push to lower spending, but worries bipartisan Texas projects have been impacted.
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Environment
SpaceX can’t launch another rocket until dozens of fixes are made, FAA says
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration found multiple failures that led to the explosion of a SpaceX rocket in the Rio Grande Valley in April.
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Environment
The summer’s record heat has caused costly damage to Texas water systems
As dry soils contract, underground pipes rupture and cities must fix thousands of water leaks, frustrating conservation efforts and highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to a warming climate.
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Energy
EPA’s inspector general says agency isn’t enforcing benzene pollution rules at refineries in Texas, nationally
A report by the federal environmental agency’s internal watchdog found that EPA is failing to enforce its own pollution limits for the known carcinogen at many refineries — including some in Texas.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas just recorded its second hottest summer on record
The average temperature in Texas this summer was 85.3 degrees, putting it behind only 2011 for summer misery.
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Environment
Texas takes legal action to save Fairfield Lake State Park
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department began the legal process of eminent domain to seize the former state park and save it from being turned into an upscale subdivision. The agency had offered a Dallas-based developer $103 million for it.