U.S. Judge Loren A. Smith threw out a case brought by Houstonians whose properties flooded as a result of releases from Addicks and Barker dams.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Energy
Report: Six Texas oil refineries spewing cancer-causing pollutant above federal threshold
An environmental nonprofit has released an analysis of first-of-its-kind air monitoring data that shows benzene levels at 10 U.S. petroleum refineries exceeded limits established in an Obama-era environmental regulation. Six are in Texas.
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Energy
Ahead of explosion, Port Neches plant reported an increase of rogue emissions of explosive gas
After the federal government required TPC Group to install air monitors at its Port Neches plant, the company detected a significant increase in the number and size of butadiene emissions in the months leading up to multiple blasts at the plant on Nov. 27.
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Economy
Texas oil and gas industry could see a major slowdown in 2020
The Texas Oil and Gas Association reported that companies paid a record level of taxes and state royalties last year amid a historic oil boom. But association President Todd Staples said that continued growth is not guaranteed.
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Environment
As drought persists, Texas ranchers take stock
In parts of Texas experiencing severe droughts, some ranchers are finding there is practically no grass left for cattle to graze on.
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Demographics
Revisit some of The Texas Tribune’s best stories of 2019
Our reporters crisscrossed the Texas Capitol and traveled to the Panhandle and East Texas — as well as the Netherlands and Honduras — to tell stories about the state’s politics, people and places. From a story on a migrant’s desperate journey to a look at how coal companies are leaving behind contaminated land, here is a selection of their best work of the year.
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Environment
Sierra Club intervenes in open records lawsuit against Texas Attorney General
The environmental group is trying to obtain documents showing how the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality arrived at a decision on increasing emissions limits for a toxic chemical.
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Energy
Texas regulators want stiffer penalties for company whose Port Neches plant exploded
In a surprising vote, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rejected a staff-proposed penalty against TPC Group’s Port Neches chemical plant — which was rocked by explosions last month — for a slew of 2018 pollution violations and asked that they be referred to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
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In Harvey's Wake
In win for Harvey victims, federal judge finds government liable for reservoir flooding
During Hurricane Harvey, thousands of properties behind two federally owned reservoirs flooded. On Tuesday, the United States Court of Federal Claims ruled that the government was liable for the flooding and that property owners are eligible for damages.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Watchdog report finds air pollution monitoring fell short during Hurricane Harvey
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General found that state and federal environmental regulators didn’t start monitoring air quality soon enough during the monster storm, which brought a spike in hazardous emissions from industrial facilities.
