ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT | The Texas Tribune

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class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/05/IMG_6134_JPG_474x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Deacon Sam Dunning of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/05/IMG_6134_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Deacon Sam Dunning of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Deacon Sam Dunning of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/">Climate Pleas From Pope, Obama Fall Flat in Texas</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 22:01:56 -0500" title="2015-08-05 22:01"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/comments/"><span class="value">43</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span><span>Pope Francis has called on people of faith and science to come together and address the perils of climate change, and President Obama has finalized his ambitious carbon-cutting Clean Power Plan. But Texas Republicans aren't signing on, Catholic or not.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/"> <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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/">Obama Unveils Climate Rules, With Texas-Wide Implications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/02/utilities-texas-should-devise-emissions-reduction-/">Utilities Hope Texas Plays Ball on Clean Air Plan</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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/24/_BDB2563CMS_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Land Commissioner George P. Bush shakes hands with Texas Alliance for Life Director Joseph Pojman at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/24/_BDB2563CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Land Commissioner George P. Bush shakes hands with Texas Alliance for Life Director Joseph Pojman at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Land Commissioner George P. Bush shakes hands with Texas Alliance for Life Director Joseph Pojman at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/">General Land Office Touts Move Online</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 11:05:18 -0500" title="2015-08-05 11:05"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>The Texas General Land Office says it held the first online oil and gas lease auction in the state’s history on Tuesday, netting some $20 million for public schools. Land Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/george-p-bush/">George P. Bush</a> is taking credit for the move.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Solar_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Solar_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Gabriel Cristóver Pérez</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/">New Law Will Help More Texans Go Solar</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jeremy-lin/">Jeremy Lin</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-05 06:00"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/comments/"><span class="value">25</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>A loophole in state law allowed some developers to block solar installations on homes in new neighborhoods. Now it's been plugged. <span>This story is part of our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/31ways/84R/" target="_blank">31 Days, 31 Ways series</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/12/04/SmokeStack_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/">Obama Unveils Climate Rules, With Texas-Wide Implications</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 15:16:26 -0500" title="2015-08-03 15:16"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/comments/"><span class="value">47</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>President Obama on Monday unveiled the final version of his state-by-state effort to combat climate change by reshaping the nation’s energy sector – a plan that has roiled Republican leaders in Texas.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/"> <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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/">General Land Office Touts Move Online</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 11:05:18 -0500" title="2015-08-05 11:05"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/24/_BDB2563CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Land Commissioner George P. Bush shakes hands with Texas Alliance for Life Director Joseph Pojman at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/24/_BDB2563CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Land Commissioner George P. Bush shakes hands with Texas Alliance for Life Director Joseph Pojman at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Land Commissioner George P. Bush shakes hands with Texas Alliance for Life Director Joseph Pojman at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas General Land Office says it held the first online oil and gas lease auction in the state’s history on Tuesday, netting some $20 million for public schools. Land Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/george-p-bush/">George P. Bush</a> is taking credit for the move.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/general-land-office-touts-move-online/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/">New Law Will Help More Texans Go Solar</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jeremy-lin/">Jeremy Lin</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-05 06:00"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/comments/"><span class="value">25</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Solar_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Solar_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Gabriel Cristóver Pérez</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A loophole in state law allowed some developers to block solar installations on homes in new neighborhoods. Now it's been plugged. <span>This story is part of our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/31ways/84R/" target="_blank">31 Days, 31 Ways series</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/">Obama Unveils Climate Rules, With Texas-Wide Implications</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 15:16:26 -0500" title="2015-08-03 15:16"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/comments/"><span class="value">47</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/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/20150807211854/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>President Obama on Monday unveiled the final version of his state-by-state effort to combat climate change by reshaping the nation’s energy sector – a plan that has roiled Republican leaders in Texas.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/"> <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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: First Round of Water Projects OK'd</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 29 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-29 06:00"> July 29, 2015 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/08/Tribwater_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/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> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/ercot-asks-texans-temporarily-curb-energy-use/">Grid Operator Asks Texans to Temporarily Curb Electricity Use</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:15:46 -0500" title="2015-07-30 11:15"> July 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/ercot-asks-texans-temporarily-curb-energy-use/comments/"><span class="value">20</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/ercot-asks-texans-temporarily-curb-energy-use/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BlackoutsErcot028_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Grid technicians monitor screens at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' state-of-the-art backup control center in Bastrop."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BlackoutsErcot028_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Grid technicians monitor screens at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' state-of-the-art backup control center in Bastrop." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Grid technicians monitor screens at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' state-of-the-art backup control center in Bastrop.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The operator of the electric grid that covers most of the state called for Texans to temporarily curb their electricity use for a few hours on Thursday afternoon as record-breaking demands strain the state’s energy resources.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/ercot-asks-texans-temporarily-curb-energy-use/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/patterson-george-p-bush-focus-less-derriere/">Jerry Patterson to George P. Bush: Focus Less on "Derriere"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 30 Jul 2015 09:04:30 -0500" title="2015-07-30 09:04"> July 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/patterson-george-p-bush-focus-less-derriere/comments/"><span class="value">17</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/patterson-george-p-bush-focus-less-derriere/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/PattersonJerry111CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Then-Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson told an audience about his political plans at a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 14, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/PattersonJerry111CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Then-Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson told an audience about his political plans at a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 14, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Credit: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Then-Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson told an audience about his political plans at a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 14, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Upset about the way a recent state audit painted the agency he lead for 12 years, former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is jabbing his successor, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/george-p-bush/">George P. Bush</a>, for failing to push back against the audit’s findings.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/patterson-george-p-bush-focus-less-derriere/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/29/groundwater-officials-seek-help-tracking-disposal-/">Groundwater Districts Seek Help Tracking Disposal Wells</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 29 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-29 06:00"> July 29, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/29/groundwater-officials-seek-help-tracking-disposal-/comments/"><span class="value">11</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/29/groundwater-officials-seek-help-tracking-disposal-/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/21/Mogford_Plugged_Oil_Well_004_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="A 2011 image of the Mogford oil well well, which spewed hydrocarbons onto ranchland in Dimmit County. Some experts linked the "breakout" to nearby oilfield waste injections."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/21/Mogford_Plugged_Oil_Well_004_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="A 2011 image of the Mogford oil well well, which spewed hydrocarbons onto ranchland in Dimmit County. Some experts linked the "breakout" to nearby oilfield waste injections." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A 2011 image of the Mogford oil well well, which spewed hydrocarbons onto ranchland in Dimmit County. Some experts linked the "breakout" to nearby oilfield waste injections.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p class="p1"><span>As oilfield waste disposal wells proliferate in Texas, groundwater managers are keenly interested in where they're going and how carefully they construct them. And they're asking the industry and regulators for further help.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/29/groundwater-officials-seek-help-tracking-disposal-/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: First Round of Water Projects OK'd</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 29 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-29 06:00"> July 29, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/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/20150807211854/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: 21 applicants win financing in first round of SWIFT loans, new California desalination plant creates controversy </span><span>and an i</span><span>nterview with <span>Sheila Olmstead</span><span> of UT-Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: A New Look at Groundwater Depletion</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 15 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-15 06:00"> July 15, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/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/20150807211854/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: A new series dives into the problem of aquifer depletion, a new study shows water use for fracking is on the rise </span><span>and an i</span><span>nterview with <span>Tom Pankratz of the Water Desalination Report.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/14/pristine-big-bend-pipeline-could-run-through-it/">In Pristine Big Bend Region, a Pipeline Could Run Through It</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 14 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-14 06:00"> July 14, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/14/pristine-big-bend-pipeline-could-run-through-it/comments/"><span class="value">74</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/14/pristine-big-bend-pipeline-could-run-through-it/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/13/David-Keller_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="David Keller, an archaeologist at Sul Ross State University and head of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, looks out over land in Brewster County, near the site of a planned pipeline that would send Texas gas to Mexico."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/13/David-Keller_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="David Keller, an archaeologist at Sul Ross State University and head of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, looks out over land in Brewster County, near the site of a planned pipeline that would send Texas gas to Mexico." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Cooper Neill</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">David Keller, an archaeologist at Sul Ross State University and head of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, looks out over land in Brewster County, near the site of a planned pipeline that would send Texas gas to Mexico.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Companies run by two billionaires are teaming up </span><span>to build a 143-mile pipeline to carry natural gas through the Big Bend region and into Mexico.  An unlikely coalition of environmentalists, landowners and others is fighting to thwart the project.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/14/pristine-big-bend-pipeline-could-run-through-it/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/texas-members-congress-spar-over-crude-oil-export-/">Texas Members of Congress Spar Over Crude Oil Export Ban</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by Phoebe Tollefson, Medill News Service </li><li><time datetime="Thu, 9 Jul 2015 21:05:57 -0500" title="2015-07-09 21:05"> July 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/texas-members-congress-spar-over-crude-oil-export-/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/texas-members-congress-spar-over-crude-oil-export-/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/09/GreenBarton_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, and U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/09/GreenBarton_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, and U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, and U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas Congressmen Gene Green and Joe Barton went head-to-head Thursday on a bill that would lift a 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/texas-members-congress-spar-over-crude-oil-export-/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/new-osha-penalties-dupont-after-deadly-la-porte-le/">New OSHA Penalties for DuPont After Deadly Leak</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 9 Jul 2015 13:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-09 13:00"> July 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/new-osha-penalties-dupont-after-deadly-la-porte-le/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/new-osha-penalties-dupont-after-deadly-la-porte-le/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/22/North-Side-CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="DuPont's chemical plant in La Porte. In November 2014, a toxic gas leak killed four workers inside a unit that manufactures a popular insecticide called Lannate."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/22/North-Side-CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="DuPont's chemical plant in La Porte. In November 2014, a toxic gas leak killed four workers inside a unit that manufactures a popular insecticide called Lannate." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">DuPont's chemical plant in La Porte. In November 2014, a toxic gas leak killed four workers inside a unit that manufactures a popular insecticide called Lannate.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.35;"><span>Just weeks after </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/23/osha-chief-fine-deadly-dupont-leak-petty-cash/" target="_blank">blasting DuPont for safety violations</a><span> following a deadly chemical plant incident last November, federal regulators </span><span>slapped the manufacturing giant with a new fine for safety violations at its plant in La Porte.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/new-osha-penalties-dupont-after-deadly-la-porte-le/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/texas-suing-epa-again/">Texas is Suing the EPA — Again</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 8 Jul 2015 16:46:14 -0500" title="2015-07-08 16:46"> July 8, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/texas-suing-epa-again/comments/"><span class="value">74</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/texas-suing-epa-again/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/7C2A8842_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media after keynoting a June 2015 event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/7C2A8842_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media after keynoting a June 2015 event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media after keynoting a June 2015 event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> on Wednesday filed a lawsuit over the Environmental Protection Agency's rejection of parts of a Texas clean air program, launching the state’s second battle against EPA regulations in less than two weeks.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/texas-suing-epa-again/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/commissioner-sid-miller-delivers-state-agriculture/">Miller Defends Deep Fryers in Agriculture Address</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/liz-crampton/">Liz Crampton</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 8 Jul 2015 12:37:55 -0500" title="2015-07-08 12:37"> July 8, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/commissioner-sid-miller-delivers-state-agriculture/comments/"><span class="value">77</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/commissioner-sid-miller-delivers-state-agriculture/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/05/Miller216CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="New Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller does a fist pump on election night Nov. 4, 2014."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/05/Miller216CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="New Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller does a fist pump on election night Nov. 4, 2014." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">New Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller does a fist pump on election night Nov. 4, 2014.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas Ag Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sid-miller/">Sid Miller</a> defended his new nutrition policy Wednesday, praising his department's decision to "abolish outdated and unneeded state mandates" and allow schools to install deep fryers and soda machines.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/commissioner-sid-miller-delivers-state-agriculture/"> <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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/ercot-asks-texans-temporarily-curb-energy-use/">Grid Operator Asks Texans to Temporarily Curb Electricity Use</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/30/patterson-george-p-bush-focus-less-derriere/">Jerry Patterson to George P. Bush: Focus Less on "Derriere"</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/29/groundwater-officials-seek-help-tracking-disposal-/">Groundwater Districts Seek Help Tracking Disposal Wells</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: First Round of Water Projects OK'd</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/latest-epa-ruling-glass-half-full/">In Latest EPA Ruling, Glass Half Full For Paxton, Environmentalists</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/audit-finds-significant-weaknesses-glo-contracting/">State Audit Finds "Significant Weaknesses" in GLO Contracting</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/study-climate-change-big-threat-texas/">Texas Facing Major Climate Change Impacts, According to New Study</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/24/big-bend-pipeline-opponents-claim-small-victory/">In Big Bend, Pipeline Opponents Claim Small Victory</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/23/water-board-set-ok-first-round-prop-6-projects/">Texas Water Development Board OKs $4 Billion in Projects</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/20/texas-drought-done/">The Drought is Over in Texas</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: A New Look at Groundwater Depletion</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/14/pristine-big-bend-pipeline-could-run-through-it/">In Pristine Big Bend Region, a Pipeline Could Run Through It</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/texas-members-congress-spar-over-crude-oil-export-/">Texas Members of Congress Spar Over Crude Oil Export Ban</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/09/new-osha-penalties-dupont-after-deadly-la-porte-le/">New OSHA Penalties for DuPont After Deadly Leak</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/texas-suing-epa-again/">Texas is Suing the EPA — Again</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/08/commissioner-sid-miller-delivers-state-agriculture/">Miller Defends Deep Fryers in Agriculture Address</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/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/barnett-shale/">Barnett Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/crez-transmission-lines/">Crez Transmission Lines</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/eagle-ford-shale/">The Eagle Ford Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/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/20150807211854im_/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/20150807211854/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/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/latest-epa-ruling-glass-half-full/">In Latest EPA Ruling, Glass Half Full For Paxton, Environmentalists</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a> and <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:35:13 -0500" title="2015-07-28 16:35"> July 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/latest-epa-ruling-glass-half-full/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/latest-epa-ruling-glass-half-full/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Powerplant-and-EPA_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Powerplant-and-EPA_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texas’ Republican leaders and environmentalists are both claiming victory Tuesday following an appeals court ruling that requires the federal government to ease limits on certain emissions for Texas and a dozen other states.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/latest-epa-ruling-glass-half-full/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/audit-finds-significant-weaknesses-glo-contracting/">State Audit Finds "Significant Weaknesses" in GLO Contracting</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:34:46 -0500" title="2015-07-28 12:34"> July 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/audit-finds-significant-weaknesses-glo-contracting/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/audit-finds-significant-weaknesses-glo-contracting/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/MoneyTexas_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/MoneyTexas_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The General Land Office’s contracting process is riddled with “significant weaknesses” that threatened the agency’s ability to ensure it is wisely spending its dollars, <span>State Auditor John Keel</span> said in a report made public Tuesday.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/audit-finds-significant-weaknesses-glo-contracting/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/study-climate-change-big-threat-texas/">Texas Facing Major Climate Change Impacts, According to New Study</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 28 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-28 06:00"> July 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/study-climate-change-big-threat-texas/comments/"><span class="value">85</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/study-climate-change-big-threat-texas/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/BrazosRiver_dry_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The Brazos River in Knox County during the summer of 2011."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/BrazosRiver_dry_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The Brazos River in Knox County during the summer of 2011." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Earl Nottingham/Texas Parks & Wildlife</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The Brazos River in Knox County during the summer of 2011.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A sharp increase in heat-related deaths and storm-related losses. A decrease in worker productivity and crop yields. A new climate change study paints a bleak picture for Texas over the coming decades — if nothing is done to address the much-debated warming trend.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/study-climate-change-big-threat-texas/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/24/big-bend-pipeline-opponents-claim-small-victory/">In Big Bend, Pipeline Opponents Claim Small Victory</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:44:13 -0500" title="2015-07-24 17:44"> July 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/24/big-bend-pipeline-opponents-claim-small-victory/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/24/big-bend-pipeline-opponents-claim-small-victory/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/13/TT-TransPecosPipeline-012_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="A sign opposing the Trans-Pecos pipeline hangs in a neighborhood near where the pipeline could run near Alpine."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/13/TT-TransPecosPipeline-012_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="A sign opposing the Trans-Pecos pipeline hangs in a neighborhood near where the pipeline could run near Alpine." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Cooper Neill</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A sign opposing the Trans-Pecos pipeline hangs in a neighborhood near where the pipeline could run near Alpine.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A coalition of ranchers, environmentalists and other disgruntled landowners is claiming a small victory in its long-shot battle to block a hefty pipeline planned to carry natural gas beneath 143-miles of largely untouched Big Bend-area land into Mexico.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/24/big-bend-pipeline-opponents-claim-small-victory/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/23/water-board-set-ok-first-round-prop-6-projects/">Texas Water Development Board OKs $4 Billion in Projects</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-23 06:00"> July 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/23/water-board-set-ok-first-round-prop-6-projects/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/23/water-board-set-ok-first-round-prop-6-projects/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/22/Hose-Prop6_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/22/Hose-Prop6_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman / Paul Sapiano </cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span><strong>UPDATED:</strong> From <span>transmission pipelines to desalination plants</span>, the </span>Texas Water Development Board approved funding on Thursday for dozens of water supply projects from Marfa to Houston, including a handful to promote conservation. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/23/water-board-set-ok-first-round-prop-6-projects/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/20/texas-drought-done/">The Drought is Over in Texas</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:12:39 -0500" title="2015-07-20 12:12"> July 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/20/texas-drought-done/comments/"><span class="value">13</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/20/texas-drought-done/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/03/Wet-Texas_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807211854/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/03/Wet-Texas_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Pedro Moura Pinheiro</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>For the first time in more than five years, Texas no longer is in a drought. While less than 3 percent of the state remains “abnormally dry,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought has disappeared from every other part of Texas.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/20/texas-drought-done/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150807211854/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 href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150807211854/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Julián Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a 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