ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT | The Texas Tribune

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datetime="2015-04-08T00:26:49.309621">Wednesday, April 8, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content index"> <header class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/">ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT</a></h1></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/proposed-bill-aims-prevent-another-fertilizer-blas/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/18/West-TX-1_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/18/West-TX-1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Mike Stone / Bay Area News</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/proposed-bill-aims-prevent-another-fertilizer-blas/">Lawmaker's Bill Aims to Prevent Another Fertilizer Plant Blast</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eva-hershaw/">Eva Hershaw</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 7 Apr 2015 11:30:09 -0500" title="2015-04-07 11:30"> April 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/proposed-bill-aims-prevent-another-fertilizer-blas/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>State Rep. Kyle Kacal has introduced legislation that he hopes would prevent another accident like the </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/west-texas-explosion/">explosion of a West fertilizer plant </a><span>in 2013 that killed 15 and injured more than 200.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/proposed-bill-aims-prevent-another-fertilizer-blas/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> <aside class="related"> <header class="smallcaps"> <h2>Related</h2> </header> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/20/west-celebration-culture-and-rebuilding/">West Ceremony: "We Were, and We Will Be"</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/08/05/lawmakers-consider-bill-avoid-more-fertilizer-blas/">Some Lawmakers Want Changes to Avoid Fertilizer Blasts</a></li> </ul> </aside> </div> </article> </section> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/18/INDUSTRIAL_BOOM_3282_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/18/INDUSTRIAL_BOOM_3282_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/">Water Ruling Cuts State's Power in Droughts</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Apr 2015 19:43:14 -0500" title="2015-04-02 19:43"> April 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>A state appeals court has sided with farmers, ranchers and other longstanding water rights holders in a Brazos River case with widespread implications for future water battles in drought-prone Texas.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/EnergyCosts_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/EnergyCosts_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/">Bill Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-02 06:00"> April 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>One state lawmaker has an idea to encourage Texans to conserve energy: Stop charging them for doing so. Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sylvester-turner/">Sylvester Turner</a>'s l<span>egislation would </span><span>bar companies from charging customers for using too little energy – a common practice. </span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/12/TxTribLive-Smitherman110_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/12/TxTribLive-Smitherman110_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/">Former Railroad Commissioner Lands Job at Law Firm</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 10:03:23 -0500" title="2015-03-31 10:03"> March 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Barry Smitherman, the only person to serve both on the Texas Railroad Commission and the state’s Public Utility Commission, will practice energy law at Vinson and Elkins, the international law firm announced Tuesday.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="show-for-medium-down"> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/">Water Ruling Cuts State's Power in Droughts</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Apr 2015 19:43:14 -0500" title="2015-04-02 19:43"> April 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/18/INDUSTRIAL_BOOM_3282_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/18/INDUSTRIAL_BOOM_3282_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The Dow chemical plant along the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A state appeals court has sided with farmers, ranchers and other longstanding water rights holders in a Brazos River case with widespread implications for future water battles in drought-prone Texas.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/huge-water-ruling-court-sides-ranchers/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/">Bill Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-02 06:00"> April 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/EnergyCosts_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/EnergyCosts_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>One state lawmaker has an idea to encourage Texans to conserve energy: Stop charging them for doing so. Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sylvester-turner/">Sylvester Turner</a>'s l<span>egislation would </span><span>bar companies from charging customers for using too little energy – a common practice. </span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/">Former Railroad Commissioner Lands Job at Law Firm</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 10:03:23 -0500" title="2015-03-31 10:03"> March 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/12/TxTribLive-Smitherman110_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/12/TxTribLive-Smitherman110_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Railroad Commission of Texas in his office, May 31, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Barry Smitherman, the only person to serve both on the Texas Railroad Commission and the state’s Public Utility Commission, will practice energy law at Vinson and Elkins, the international law firm announced Tuesday.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/smitherman-lands-job-law-firm/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 gap hide-for-medium-down left_rail"> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab data"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Data</h1> <h2> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/">Blood Lessons: An Investigation Into Refinery Deaths</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a>, <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a>, Mark Collette and Lise Olsen </li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-26 06:00"> March 26, 2015 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/24/TT-txcity-survivors_H8VFj1j_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/24/TT-txcity-survivors_H8VFj1j_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Carlos Javier Sanchez, Houston Chronicle</cite> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/"><span>+</span> More Data</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_LeftRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/legislation-aims-boost-demand-response/">Legislation Aims to Boost Electricity Conservation</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-31 06:00"> March 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/legislation-aims-boost-demand-response/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/legislation-aims-boost-demand-response/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/23/TexTrib-DEMAND-016_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Homeowner Adam Leija demonstrating how CPS energy's "home manager program" works."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/23/TexTrib-DEMAND-016_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Homeowner Adam Leija demonstrating how CPS energy's "home manager program" works." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Spencer Selvidge</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Homeowner Adam Leija demonstrating how CPS energy's "home manager program" works.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Some state lawmakers are trying to cut Texas' energy use by encouraging demand response – programs under which <span>utilities reward customers for powering down electricity guzzlers when demand peaks. </span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/legislation-aims-boost-demand-response/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/house-committee-passes-compromise-drilling-rules/">House Committee Passes Compromise on Local Drilling Rules</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 30 Mar 2015 18:23:05 -0500" title="2015-03-30 18:23"> March 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/house-committee-passes-compromise-drilling-rules/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/house-committee-passes-compromise-drilling-rules/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling014_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A well pad is flanked by Fort Worth's skyline on Sept. 27, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling014_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A well pad is flanked by Fort Worth's skyline on Sept. 27, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A well pad is flanked by Fort Worth's skyline on Sept. 27, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A House committee on Monday approved legislation that would limit local control over oil and gas activities — a committee substitute for a bill that initially stirred anger in city halls across Texas.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/house-committee-passes-compromise-drilling-rules/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/29/scientists-find-antibiotic-resistance-blowing-nort/">Texas Scientists Find Antibiotic Resistance Blowing in Wind</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eva-hershaw/">Eva Hershaw</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 29 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-29 06:00"> March 29, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/29/scientists-find-antibiotic-resistance-blowing-nort/comments/"><span class="value">28</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/29/scientists-find-antibiotic-resistance-blowing-nort/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/17/IMG_8630_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Thousands of cattle spend their final months at feed yards like this one, located in Hale Center."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/17/IMG_8630_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Thousands of cattle spend their final months at feed yards like this one, located in Hale Center." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Eva Hershaw</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Thousands of cattle spend their final months at feed yards like this one, located in Hale Center.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p class="western"><span>In a <span lang="zxx"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1408555/">study</a></span> slated for publication next month, two Texas Tech University scientists may have made their biggest discovery yet: DNA from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in cattle feedlots is airborne.<strong> </strong></span> </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/29/scientists-find-antibiotic-resistance-blowing-nort/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/28/wellinghoff-texas-neednt-fret-over-climate-rules/">Former U.S. Energy Official: Texas Needn't Fret Over Climate Rules</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 28 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-28 06:00"> March 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/28/wellinghoff-texas-neednt-fret-over-climate-rules/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/28/wellinghoff-texas-neednt-fret-over-climate-rules/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Jeff_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Jeff_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Jon Wellinghoff, the former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman, talks about <span>what looming federal climate regulations mean for Texas, whether the state should link its grid to others and how to incentivize energy conservation. </span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/28/wellinghoff-texas-neednt-fret-over-climate-rules/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 hide-for-medium-down mid_rail"> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: New Threats to Texas Coastal Bays</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-25 06:00"> March 25, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/08/Tribwater_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/08/Tribwater_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Shellfish face threat in acidification of Texas bays, a new report says sprinklers are used too much </span><span>and an i</span><span>nterview with <span>Wenwei Xu, a professor and corn breeder based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/senate-committee-advances-denton-fracking-bill/">Senate Committee Advances "Denton Fracking Bill"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 16:49:42 -0500" title="2015-03-24 16:49"> March 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/senate-committee-advances-denton-fracking-bill/comments/"><span class="value">68</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/senate-committee-advances-denton-fracking-bill/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/11/TxTrib-Fraser003_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Marble Falls, in 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/11/TxTrib-Fraser003_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Marble Falls, in 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Marble Falls, in 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A Senate committee has advanced legislation to limit local control over oil and gas activities across Texas. The proposal is among nearly a dozen filed in response to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/15/dissecting-denton-how-texas-city-baned-fracking/">a North Texas town's vote to ban hydraulic fracturing</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/senate-committee-advances-denton-fracking-bill/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/survivors/">Blood Lessons: Survivors Recall a Disastrous Day</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a>, <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a>, Mark Collette and Lise Olsen, The Houston Chronicle </li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-24 06:00"> March 24, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/survivors/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/Dleining_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Dave Leining, who was badly injured in the 2005 BP refinery explosion, stands outside of the refinery which is currently owned by Marathon Petroleum on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Texas City. The trailer where Leining was working flew apart, burying him and co-workers in rubble."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/Dleining_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Dave Leining, who was badly injured in the 2005 BP refinery explosion, stands outside of the refinery which is currently owned by Marathon Petroleum on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Texas City. The trailer where Leining was working flew apart, burying him and co-workers in rubble." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Mayra Beltran / 漏 Houston Chronicle </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Dave Leining, who was badly injured in the 2005 BP refinery explosion, stands outside of the refinery which is currently owned by Marathon Petroleum on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Texas City. The trailer where Leining was working flew apart, burying him and co-workers in rubble.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Ten years after the 2005 Texas City refinery explosion, hear from two workers who survived it — but lost many of their friends. These videos and vignettes are part of a collaboration between The Texas Tribune and the <em>Houston Chronicle</em>. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/survivors/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/report-smarter-lawn-watering-means-big-water-savin/">Report: Smart Lawn Watering Could Save Big</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a> and Aamena Ahmed </li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-24 06:00"> March 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/report-smarter-lawn-watering-means-big-water-savin/comments/"><span class="value">27</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/report-smarter-lawn-watering-means-big-water-savin/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/Drought_Lawns_jw_002_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A green lawn in the Olmos Park neighborhood of San Antonio, shown on June 5, 2012."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/Drought_Lawns_jw_002_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A green lawn in the Olmos Park neighborhood of San Antonio, shown on June 5, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Jenn Whitney</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A green lawn in the Olmos Park neighborhood of San Antonio, shown on June 5, 2012.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p dir="ltr">Even Texans with the greenest of lawns are watering them too much, experts say. And if everyone would turn on the sprinklers only twice a week — still probably more than necessary — the water savings would be significant, according to a report released Tuesday.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/report-smarter-lawn-watering-means-big-water-savin/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/confusion-swirls-over-bill-clarify-drilling-rules/">Confusion Swirls Over Bill to Clarify Drilling Rules</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:07:01 -0500" title="2015-03-23 20:07"> March 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/confusion-swirls-over-bill-clarify-drilling-rules/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/confusion-swirls-over-bill-clarify-drilling-rules/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/DSC_6507frack_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Local control activists and the Texas Campaign for the Environment rally with a mock-up oil rig at 11th and Congress during action on Mar. 23, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/DSC_6507frack_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Local control activists and the Texas Campaign for the Environment rally with a mock-up oil rig at 11th and Congress during action on Mar. 23, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Local control activists and the Texas Campaign for the Environment rally with a mock-up oil rig at 11th and Congress during action on Mar. 23, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>After Denton voters decided to ban fracking in their town, it seemed likely this Legislature will do something to rein in cities that try to regulate oil and gas production. But one likely approach by Rep. Drew Darby is stoking local fears.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/confusion-swirls-over-bill-clarify-drilling-rules/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/disaster/">Blood Lessons: Unsafe Conditions Persist at Nation's Refineries</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a>, <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a>, Mark Collette and Lise Olsen </li><li><time datetime="Mon, 23 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-23 06:00"> March 23, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/disaster/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/DaysWoAccident_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A BP employee stands near a safety sign during a BP memorial service inside the plant in Texas City for the employees that were injured and killed in the BP plant explosion in Texas City,Texas January 30, 2005."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/DaysWoAccident_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A BP employee stands near a safety sign during a BP memorial service inside the plant in Texas City for the employees that were injured and killed in the BP plant explosion in Texas City,Texas January 30, 2005." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: James Nielsen / 漏 Houston Chronicle</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A BP employee stands near a safety sign during a BP memorial service inside the plant in Texas City for the employees that were injured and killed in the BP plant explosion in Texas City,Texas January 30, 2005.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Ten years after the 2005 Texas City explosion, there is little evidence that the 15 lives lost on that March day brought needed changes to the nation's refining industry, a joint <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/disaster/">Texas Tribune/<em>Houston Chronicle</em> investigation</a> shows. </p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/disaster/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 show-for-medium-down"> <ul class="mobile_headlines"> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/legislation-aims-boost-demand-response/">Legislation Aims to Boost Electricity Conservation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/house-committee-passes-compromise-drilling-rules/">House Committee Passes Compromise on Local Drilling Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/29/scientists-find-antibiotic-resistance-blowing-nort/">Texas Scientists Find Antibiotic Resistance Blowing in Wind</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/28/wellinghoff-texas-neednt-fret-over-climate-rules/">Former U.S. Energy Official: Texas Needn't Fret Over Climate Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/see-how-local-drilling-rules-vary-across-texas/">See How Local Drilling Rules Vary Across Texas</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/railroad-commissioner-rallies-natural-gas/">Railroad Commissioner Rallies for Natural Gas</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/">Blood Lessons: An Investigative Series on Refinery Deaths</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/">Hays County Water Fight Tumbles Into Committee</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/us-supreme-court-hears-latest-texas-v-epa-challeng/">U.S. Supreme Court Hears Latest Texas v. EPA Challenge</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/data/">Blood Lessons: Refining Still a Deadly Industry</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: New Threats to Texas Coastal Bays</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/senate-committee-advances-denton-fracking-bill/">Senate Committee Advances "Denton Fracking Bill"</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/survivors/">Blood Lessons: Survivors Recall a Disastrous Day</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/report-smarter-lawn-watering-means-big-water-savin/">Report: Smart Lawn Watering Could Save Big</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/confusion-swirls-over-bill-clarify-drilling-rules/">Confusion Swirls Over Bill to Clarify Drilling Rules</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/disaster/">Blood Lessons: Unsafe Conditions Persist at Nation's Refineries</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class=" cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <p class="section_disclosure"> The Meadows Foundation and the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/>have supported</a> coverage of water issues at The Texas Tribune. The Mitchell Foundation and the Energy Foundation <a href=" http: www.texastribune.org support-us donors-and-members ">have supported</a> energy coverage, and the Burdine Johnson Foundation <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/">has supported</a> coverage of the environment. </p> <aside id="" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>Trib</span>pedia</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content "> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/barnett-shale/">Barnett Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/crez-transmission-lines/">Crez Transmission Lines</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/eagle-ford-shale/">The Eagle Ford Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/electric-reliability-council-of-texas/">Electric Reliability 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<ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:46:47 -0500" title="2015-03-10 16:46"> March 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/video-life-after-proposition-6/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2015/03/10/video-life-after-proposition-6/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/WaterSymposium_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/WaterSymposium_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/see-how-local-drilling-rules-vary-across-texas/">See How Local Drilling Rules Vary Across Texas</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 27 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-27 06:00"> March 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/see-how-local-drilling-rules-vary-across-texas/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/see-how-local-drilling-rules-vary-across-texas/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/25/IMG_4077_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Most of the 183 pump jacks scattered throughout Luling are unadorned, such as this one in the middle a shared yard."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/25/IMG_4077_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Most of the 183 pump jacks scattered throughout Luling are unadorned, such as this one in the middle a shared yard." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Most of the 183 pump jacks scattered throughout Luling are unadorned, such as this one in the middle a shared yard.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"><span>The debate over whether some Texas city drilling ordinances go too far has become a much-discussed issue during the Texas legislative session. Use our tool, with data from the Texas Municipal League, to see if your city has an ordinance.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/see-how-local-drilling-rules-vary-across-texas/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/railroad-commissioner-rallies-natural-gas/">Railroad Commissioner Rallies for Natural Gas</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Mar 2015 18:43:41 -0500" title="2015-03-26 18:43"> March 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/railroad-commissioner-rallies-natural-gas/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/railroad-commissioner-rallies-natural-gas/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/08/DavidPorterRRC_copy_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Railroad Commissioner David Porter was elected to a six-year term on the Railroad Commission in 2010."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/08/DavidPorterRRC_copy_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Railroad Commissioner David Porter was elected to a six-year term on the Railroad Commission in 2010." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Railroad Commissioner David Porter was elected to a six-year term on the Railroad Commission in 2010.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Railroad Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/david-porter/">David Porter</a> has kicked off an initiative to tout the benefits of natural gas, whose low price has benefited some power generators but bedeviled operators and other energy companies that bet big on it years ago.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/railroad-commissioner-rallies-natural-gas/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/">Blood Lessons: An Investigative Series on Refinery Deaths</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a>, <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a>, Mark Collette and Lise Olsen </li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-26 06:00"> March 26, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/24/TT-txcity-survivors_H8VFj1j_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/24/TT-txcity-survivors_H8VFj1j_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Carlos Javier Sanchez, Houston Chronicle</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Take a look back at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/">Blood Lessons</a>, a Texas Tribune/<em>Houston Chronicle</em> investigation into whether the nation’s oil refineries learned the lessons of the deadly explosion at BP’s Texas City plant in 2005. </p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/">Hays County Water Fight Tumbles Into Committee</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:03:16 -0500" title="2015-03-25 21:03"> March 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/comments/"><span class="value">20</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/07/_KCA8409_1_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the House floor, February 8, 2011."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/07/_KCA8409_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the House floor, February 8, 2011." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the House floor, February 8, 2011.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Dripping Springs state Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jason-a-isaac/">Jason Isaac</a> went before the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday to make the case for his <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/legislation-proposed-hays-county-water-fight/">four-bill cocktail</a> aimed at stopping a controversial groundwater pumping project in Hays County. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/us-supreme-court-hears-latest-texas-v-epa-challeng/">U.S. Supreme Court Hears Latest Texas v. EPA Challenge</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:46:45 -0500" title="2015-03-25 14:46"> March 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/us-supreme-court-hears-latest-texas-v-epa-challeng/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/us-supreme-court-hears-latest-texas-v-epa-challeng/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/12/04/SmokeStack_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/12/04/SmokeStack_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Thomas Bougher</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p dir="ltr">Texas again went <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/14-46_k5gm.pdf">head-to-head</a> with the EPA before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, this time challenging federal limits on the emission of pollutants like <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://www2.epa.gov/international-cooperation/mercury-emissions-global-context">mercury</a>, acid gases and other toxic metals from power plants.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/us-supreme-court-hears-latest-texas-v-epa-challeng/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/data/">Blood Lessons: Refining Still a Deadly Industry</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a>, <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a>, Mark Collette and Lise Olsen, The Houston Chronicle </li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-25 06:00"> March 25, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/data/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/24/TT-txcity-data_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/24/TT-txcity-data_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Carlos Javier Sanchez, Houston Chronicle</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>How many people die at oil refineries each year? Longstanding federal record-keeping practices make it incredibly tough to answer that simple question. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/data/">Review the deaths at refineries</a> in the 10 years before and after the infamous Texas City explosion. </p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150408052912/http://apps.texastribune.org/blood-lessons/data/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150408052912/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/all/" title=""><span>+</span> More News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> </div> <div id="footer" class="grid"> <dl id="staff_writers" class="cell w-3"> <dt>Writers</dt> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a 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