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To see what we鈥檙e following in other categories, go <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/">here</a>.</p> </header> <div class="share-page"> <ul> <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bb84c8ced9d1ded8cf86efd3de9e898befdec3dac89e898befc9d2d9ced5de9e898cc89e898befdec3dac89e898bf7dedcd2c8d7dacfd2cdde9e898bfcced2dfde9eX3A%20Environment&body=I%20read%20about%20a%20topic%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune%3A%20Environment%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/"> <li class="email"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></li> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Check%20out%20%40TexasTribune%E2%80%99s%20list%20of%20the%20top%20environment%20issues%20for%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org%2Ftopics%2Fenvironment%2F" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <li class="twitter"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></li> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org%2Ftopics%2Fenvironment%2F&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org%2Ftopics%2Fenvironment%2F" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <li class="facebook"><i class="fa fa-facebook"></i></li> </a> </ul> </div> </section> <div class="ad-container banner-ad top" id="div-gpt-ad-1406570316312-0"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1406570316312-0'); }); </script> </div> <section> <article class="top-issues"> <header> <h2 class="sub-section-header">Top issues</h2> </header> <ul class="serif"> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/#dealing-with-the-texas-emissions-reduction-plan">Dealing with the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/#reforming-how-groundwater-is-managed">Reforming how groundwater is managed</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/#addressing-the-effects-of-oil-and-gas-drilling">Addressing the effects of oil and gas drilling</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/#chipping-away-at-environmental-regulations">Chipping away at environmental regulations</a></li> </ul> </article> <article class="curator-list"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Curated by</h5> </header> <div class="curated-by"> <img clas="headshot" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Neena_1_jpg_131x197_crop_q100.jpg"> <p class="emphasis">Neena Satija</p> <p class="sub-text"></p> </div> </article> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="dealing-with-the-texas-emissions-reduction-plan"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/dealing-with-the-texas-emissions-reduction-plan/">Dealing with the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan</a> </h3> </header> <p>The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan is a landmark air quality initiaitive created by the Legislature over a decade ago. The idea was to take a portion of motorists' fees and use the money to reduce harmful air emissions from vehicles and equipment through funding repairs or replacements. </p><p>Almost $1 billion has been used for that purpose, but hundreds of millions of more dollars have been stockpiled in recent years to artificially balance the state's budget. A similar program for low-income vehicle owners has faced the same fate. </p><p>Lawmakers have been divided over what to do about these programs. Some are calling for an end to the stockpiling, pointing out Texas needs to keep reducing emissions, especially in light of a potentially stricter ozone standard. Others want to just end the programs altogether and use the extra money for things like roads. But state House and Senate leaders have said they would like to continue the program, which would involve extending its originally-inteded length to make sure the rest of the unused funds are spent. </p><p> </p> <p class="update-time">Updated: March 18, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB14/">HB 14</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB1619/">SB 1619</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB1685/">SB 1685</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB1741/">SB 1741</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB1949/">SB 1949</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#29165a5c4b434c4a5d147d414c0c1b197d4c51485a0c1b197d5b404b5c474c0c1b1946470c1b195d414c0c1b19111d5d410c1b19654c4e4c130c1b196d4c48454047Xg%20with%20the%20Texas%20Emissions%20Reduction%20Plan&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Dealing%20with%20the%20Texas%20Emissions%20Reduction%20Plan%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/dealing-with-the-texas-emissions-reduction-plan/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Dealing%20with%20the%20Texas%20Emissions%20Reduction%20Plan%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/dealing-with-the-texas-emissions-reduction-plan/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/dealing-with-the-texas-emissions-reduction-plan/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="reforming-how-groundwater-is-managed"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/reforming-how-groundwater-is-managed/">Reforming how groundwater is managed</a> </h3> </header> <p>With rivers and lakes drying up across much of Texas, the state is increasingly looking underground to meet its water needs — but groundwater regulation is a definite mess.</p><p>Local districts manage groundwater along county lines, even though aquifers flow across them. There is little agreement on how to measure the amount of groundwater reasonably available to pump. Thirsty cities looking for groundwater in remote areas complain of dealing with provincial districts that are too stingy with their water, while some rural landowners fear losing local control over a precious resource. And concern is mounting over the amount of fresh groundwater used by energy companies for fracking. The same conflicts hinder access to the estimated trillions of gallons of brackish groundwater — which can be drinkable after expensive treatment called desalination — and lawmakers can’t even decide how to define the word “brackish.”</p><p>More recently, a company's proposal to pump huge amounts of groundwater from underneath Hays County without almost no oversight <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/23/hays-county-pumping-project/">has spurred</a> Hill Country residents to demand a better statewide system.  </p><p>Will the Legislature try to expand state authority over local groundwater districts, and figure out how to make desalination easier?</p> <p class="update-time">Updated: May 6, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB30/">HB 30</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB655/">HB 655</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB835/">HB 835</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB836/">HB 836</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB950/">HB 950</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1221/">HB 1221</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1232/">HB 1232</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1248/">HB 1248</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1635/">HB 1635</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1856/">HB 1856</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1972/">HB 1972</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1991/">HB 1991</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB2132/">HB 2132</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB78/">SB 78</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB517/">SB 517</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB854/">SB 854</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/supreme-court-punts-major-water-case/">State Supreme Court Punts on Major Water Case</a> <p class="pub-date">May 1, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/">Hays County Water Fight Tumbles Into Committee</a> <p class="pub-date">March 23, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/">Hays County Water Fight Tumbles Into Committee</a> <p class="pub-date">March 23, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/hays-county-groundwater-bills-go-committee/">Hays County Water Fight Tumbles Into Committee</a> <p class="pub-date">March 23, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/legislation-proposed-hays-county-water-fight/">Isaac Jumping Into Hays County Water Fight</a> <p class="pub-date">March 12, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/legislation-proposed-hays-county-water-fight/">Isaac Jumping Into Hays County Water Fight</a> <p class="pub-date">March 12, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cbf4b8bea9a1aea8bff69fa3aeeef9fb9faeb3aab8eef9fb9fb9a2a9bea5aeeef9fba4a5eef9fbbfa3aeeef9fbf3ffbfa3eef9fb87aeacaef1eef9fb99aeada4b9a6Xing%20how%20groundwater%20is%20managed&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Reforming%20how%20groundwater%20is%20managed%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/reforming-how-groundwater-is-managed/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Reforming%20how%20groundwater%20is%20managed%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/reforming-how-groundwater-is-managed/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/reforming-how-groundwater-is-managed/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="addressing-the-effects-of-oil-and-gas-drilling"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/addressing-the-effects-of-oil-and-gas-drilling/">Addressing the effects of oil and gas drilling</a> </h3> </header> <p>Several years into Texas’ latest energy drilling bonanza, lawmakers are becoming increasingly interested in the environmental impacts of oil and gas drilling.</p><p>The impacts are hotly debated, whether it’s the amount of groundwater used for fracking in rural areas already dealing with drought; concern over air pollution from drilling, which led to an eye-opening $3 million jury award for a North Texas couple and a ban on fracking in Denton; or escaping methane emissions from energy extraction, which contribute to climate change. Some scientists fear escaping methane from natural gas drilling “cancels out” the benefits of using natural gas to generate electricity instead of more carbon-polluting coal.</p><p>In the upcoming session, legislators may consider curbing the exemptions enjoyed by energy companies seeking groundwater supplies for their operations. They may also take steps to limit drillers’ ability to “flare off” excess natural gas, and release significant funds that were meant for air pollution reduction but have in recent years been used to balance the state’s budget.</p> <p class="update-time">Updated: Jan. 12, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB457/">HB 457</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB497/">HB 497</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB118/">SB 118</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d5eaa6a0b7bfb0b6a1e881bdb0f0e7e581b0adb4a6f0e7e581a7bcb7a0bbb0f0e7e5babbf0e7e5a1bdb0f0e7e5ede1a1bdf0e7e599b0b2b0eff0e7e594b1b1a7b0a6Xsing%20the%20effects%20of%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Addressing%20the%20effects%20of%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/addressing-the-effects-of-oil-and-gas-drilling/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Addressing%20the%20effects%20of%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/addressing-the-effects-of-oil-and-gas-drilling/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/addressing-the-effects-of-oil-and-gas-drilling/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="chipping-away-at-environmental-regulations"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/chipping-away-at-environmental-regulations/">Chipping away at environmental regulations</a> </h3> </header> <p>Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s latest proposal to curtail climate-changing greenhouse gases, Texas would have to reduce carbon emissions from its power plants by more than 40 percent over the next 15 years, according to a Tribune analysis.</p><p>Not surprisingly, Texas politicians have blasted the proposal, called the Clean Power Plan. Some have called for the Legislature pass a law rejecting the plan entirely. But a few powerful energy companies may actually want the opposite, preferring regulatory certainty to political jockeying.</p><p>State regulations will be in play during the session, too. To the dismay of environmental advocates, lawmakers may take aim at the contested-case hearings process — which lets people protest when companies apply for everything from water withdrawals to industrial plant permits.  And as Texas’ explosive population growth continues, especially in the suburbs, legislators may try to address increasing complaints that providing water to new subdivisions requires jumping through too many regulatory hurdles. Some have talked about easing the way forward for extremely hazardous waste storage in Texas as well, though other lawmakers are inclined in the other direction.</p><p>Lawmakers are also considering stunting the ability of local governments to take legal action against big businesses for environmental issues, egged on by big business lobbyists who say that’s the state’s job.  </p> <p class="update-time">Updated: May 6, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB163/">HB 163</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB190/">HB 190</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB201/">HB 201</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB417/">HB 417</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1113/">HB 1113</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1153/">HB 1153</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1865/">HB 1865</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB109/">SB 109</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB253/">SB 253</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB709/">SB 709</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/06/bill-limit-protest-could-prompt-epa-review/">EPA Closely Watching Bill to Speed State Permits</a> <p class="pub-date">May 6, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-lawmakers-move-limit-environmental-protests/">Lawmakers Move to Speed Permits, Limit Protests</a> <p class="pub-date">April 30, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/">House Advances Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests</a> <p class="pub-date">April 30, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150514204546/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ba4e8eef9f1fef8efa6cff3febea9abcffee3fae8bea9abcfe9f2f9eef5febea9abf4f5bea9abeff3febea9aba3afeff3bea9abd7fefcfea1bea9abd8f3f2ebebf2Xng%20away%20at%20environmental%20regulations&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Chipping%20away%20at%20environmental%20regulations%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/chipping-away-at-environmental-regulations/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Chipping%20away%20at%20environmental%20regulations%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/chipping-away-at-environmental-regulations/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/environment/chipping-away-at-environmental-regulations/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="newsletter-signup"> <header> <h4 class="sub-section-header">Sign up for our weekly digest of energy and environment coverage.</h4> </header> <div id="mc_embed_signup"> <form action="//web.archive.org/web/20150514204546/http://texastribune.us3.list-manage2.com/subscribe/post?u=3d0ce87edeeb6df90043897db&id=f11627ccd9" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate> <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll"> <div class="mc-field-group"> <label class="hidden" for="mce-EMAIL"></label> <input class="required input_neue" type="email" name="EMAIL" value="" placeholder="username@email.com"/> <input class="button" type="submit" name="subscribe" value="Subscribe"/> </div> <div id="mce-responses" class="clear"> <div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display:none"></div> <div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display:none"></div> </div> <div style="position: absolute; 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