Methane, a short-lived but extremely potent greenhouse gas, is having a major news-making moment — and it’s good news for Texas.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Guides
Winters get warmer with climate change. So what explains Texas’ cold snap in 2021?
A warming earth has brought milder winters, but emerging science suggests that extreme cold spells in Texas could also result from climate change messing with complex weather processes.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas cities weren’t ready for a massive winter storm in 2021. Has that changed?
Cities have made some preparations in case of another severe winter storm. But keeping the lights and water on is far from guaranteed.
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Energy
Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe winter weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT estimates show
The most severe scenario considered by ERCOT for this winter — very high demand for power, extensive fossil fuel outages, and low renewable power production — does not capture the amount of power lost during February.
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Environment
“People have already died”: In Houston, residents demand relief from chronic pollution during EPA chief’s visit
During a Friday visit, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said his agency is “prepared to act” to force accelerated cleanups in historically polluted Houston neighborhoods.
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Economy
Texans in U.S. House vote along party lines to pass $1.75 trillion social spending package
After months of contentious negotiations, the U.S. House passed the Build Back Better plan. It would establish universal pre-K and provide funding to combat climate change, among other things.
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Environment
Top U.S. environmental regulator to visit Houston neighborhoods where Black and Latino residents bear brunt of pollution
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan on Friday will meet with community leaders and advocates in Houston neighborhoods where pollution has impacted people’s health.
Sponsor Post
Without a Lone Star space plan, Texas will lose its advantage
By Texas 2036Margaret Spellings is CEO and President of Texas 2036 and former Secretary of Education. Retired Colonel Tim Kopra is Vice President for Robotics and Space Operations at MDA. Mayor Trey Mendez represents the City of Brownsville. Maynard Holt is CEO of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.Last month, just outside of Van Horn, four […]
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Climate Change in Texas
As world leaders seek to rein in methane, Texas’ oil and gas industry pressured to cut emissions
A proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule could require oil and gas producers to monitor and reduce emissions of methane in the field.
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Winter Storm 2021
Power companies required to better prepare plants for winter in first phase of rule approved by Texas regulators
The state Public Utility Commission adopted a rule — which experts first recommended a decade ago following a winter storm — requiring power companies to use “best efforts” to ensure plants can operate in the winter.