ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT | The Texas Tribune

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content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content index"> <header class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/06/bill-limit-protest-could-prompt-epa-review/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/05/Coal-and-EPA-2_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/05/Coal-and-EPA-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/06/bill-limit-protest-could-prompt-epa-review/">EPA Closely Watching Bill to Speed State Permits</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 6 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-06 06:00"> May 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/06/bill-limit-protest-could-prompt-epa-review/comments/"><span class="value">15</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas appears poised to enact environmental legislation that could trigger an unintended consequence: more federal oversight. The Environmental Protection Agency, long the state’s political punching bag, says it has concerns with a fast-moving proposal to speed up environmental permitting by curbing public protests.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/06/bill-limit-protest-could-prompt-epa-review/"> <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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/">House Advances Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/02/02/anti-regulation-politics-may-have-hurt-energy-indu/">Anti-Regulation Politics May Have Hurt Energy Industry</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="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/08/Tribwater_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: Is California Texas' Future?</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 6 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-06 06:00"> May 6, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: California's drought response could foreshadow future action in Texas, a new study raises new concerns about fracking and drinking water </span><span>and an i</span><span>nterview with <span>Antonietta Quigg, an oceanography professor at Texas A&M University at Galveston.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8560_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8560_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/">Texas to Sue Feds Over "Clean Power Plan"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 5 May 2015 16:01:17 -0500" title="2015-05-05 16:01"> May 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/comments/"><span class="value">117</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> says he plans to sue the Obama administration over the proposed “Clean Power Plan,” its sweeping plan to combat climate change by slashing carbon emissions from power plants.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/">"Denton Fracking Bill" Headed to Abbott's Desk</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 4 May 2015 14:49:36 -0500" title="2015-05-04 14:49"> May 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/comments/"><span class="value">67</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>The so-called Denton fracking bill is headed to Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>’s desk. The Senate on Monday approved a bill to pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of oil and gas activities.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/"> <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="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: Is California Texas' Future?</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 6 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-06 06:00"> May 6, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/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/20150508022321/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: California's drought response could foreshadow future action in Texas, a new study raises new concerns about fracking and drinking water </span><span>and an i</span><span>nterview with <span>Antonietta Quigg, an oceanography professor at Texas A&M University at Galveston.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/">Texas to Sue Feds Over "Clean Power Plan"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 5 May 2015 16:01:17 -0500" title="2015-05-05 16:01"> May 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/comments/"><span class="value">117</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8560_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8560_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> says he plans to sue the Obama administration over the proposed “Clean Power Plan,” its sweeping plan to combat climate change by slashing carbon emissions from power plants.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/05/texas-sue-feds-over-clean-power-plan/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/">"Denton Fracking Bill" Headed to Abbott's Desk</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 4 May 2015 14:49:36 -0500" title="2015-05-04 14:49"> May 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/comments/"><span class="value">67</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The so-called Denton fracking bill is headed to Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>’s desk. The Senate on Monday approved a bill to pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of oil and gas activities.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/04/denton-fracking-bill-headed-abbotts-desk/"> <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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: Is California Texas' Future?</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 6 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-06 06:00"> May 6, 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/20150508022321im_/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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/supreme-court-punts-major-water-case/">State High Court Punts on Major Water Case</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 1 May 2015 18:33:18 -0500" title="2015-05-01 18:33"> May 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/supreme-court-punts-major-water-case/comments/"><span class="value">22</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/supreme-court-punts-major-water-case/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TXTRIB-WindMillers-028_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TXTRIB-WindMillers-028_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Axel Gerdau</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The murky rules for regulating groundwater pumping aren't going to get any clearer after the state Supreme Court declined to take a case that might have helped clarify when a property owner's right of capture can be restricted.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/supreme-court-punts-major-water-case/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/justices-avoid-underground-trespassing-question-ag/">Justices Again Avoid Underground Trespassing Question</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 1 May 2015 11:29:33 -0500" title="2015-05-01 11:29"> May 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/justices-avoid-underground-trespassing-question-ag/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/justices-avoid-underground-trespassing-question-ag/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/18/Foster_Jerod-0204_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Fracking water during different stages of a purification and recycling process."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/18/Foster_Jerod-0204_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Fracking water during different stages of a purification and recycling process." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Cooper Neill</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Fracking water during different stages of a purification and recycling process.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas Supreme Court won’t re-examine a high-profile case that asked a perplexing question: If industrial wastewater pollutes your groundwater, can you sue for trespassing?</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/justices-avoid-underground-trespassing-question-ag/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/">House Advances Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:28:14 -0500" title="2015-04-30 23:28"> April 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/comments/"><span class="value">21</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Refinery_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Refinery_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Christopher P. Bills</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Contending that Texas is struggling to lure businesses, House lawmakers on Thursday gave initial approval to bill to quicken the pace at which regulators crank out permits for major industrial projects – by limiting public scrutiny.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-republicans-push-energy-changes-congress/">Texas Republicans Push Energy Changes in Congress</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by Zachary Vasile, Medill News Service </li><li><time datetime="Thu, 30 Apr 2015 15:17:24 -0500" title="2015-04-30 15:17"> April 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-republicans-push-energy-changes-congress/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-republicans-push-energy-changes-congress/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/19/TX_Crude_Oil_Prodcution_png_150x1000_q100.png" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/19/TX_Crude_Oil_Prodcution_png_800x1000_q100.png" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: U.S. Energy Information Administration</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>At issue is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a stockpile of over 700 million barrels of crude oil stored in Texas and Louisiana. Congressional lawmakers are uncertain of the reserve's role in an age of abundance.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-republicans-push-energy-changes-congress/"> <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="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/study-gas-activities-most-likely-caused-azle-quake/">Study: Gas Activities "Most Likely" Caused Texas Quakes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:13:39 -0500" title="2015-04-21 15:13"> April 21, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/study-gas-activities-most-likely-caused-azle-quake/comments/"><span class="value">48</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/study-gas-activities-most-likely-caused-azle-quake/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/21/7C2A3668_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Kaylen Holmesly, a 7th grade resident of Azle, Texas, testifies before the Texas Railroad Commission and voiced her concern about an increased number of earthquakes around Eagle Mountain Lake on January 21st, 2014."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/21/7C2A3668_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Kaylen Holmesly, a 7th grade resident of Azle, Texas, testifies before the Texas Railroad Commission and voiced her concern about an increased number of earthquakes around Eagle Mountain Lake on January 21st, 2014." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Kaylen Holmesly, a 7th grade resident of Azle, Texas, testifies before the Texas Railroad Commission and voiced her concern about an increased number of earthquakes around Eagle Mountain Lake on January 21st, 2014.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Gas industry activity “most likely” triggered a series of earthquakes that shook two North Texas towns from late 2013 through early 2014, new peer-reviewed research shows.   </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/study-gas-activities-most-likely-caused-azle-quake/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/texas-mulls-railroad-commission-name-change-again/">Will Texas Ever Change Railroad Commission Name?</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:18:54 -0500" title="2015-04-20 21:18"> April 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/texas-mulls-railroad-commission-name-change-again/comments/"><span class="value">13</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/texas-mulls-railroad-commission-name-change-again/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/21/RRC-Seal_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/21/RRC-Seal_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A group of lawmakers is trying – again – to change the Railroad Commission's name to reflect what it does. This time, proponents want to call the agency the Texas Energy Commission. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/texas-mulls-railroad-commission-name-change-again/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/lawmakers-mull-climate-change-action-inaction/">Lawmaker Urges Colleagues to Act on Climate Change</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:11:30 -0500" title="2015-04-20 17:11"> April 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/lawmakers-mull-climate-change-action-inaction/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/lawmakers-mull-climate-change-action-inaction/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Anchia_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-103) speaks with reporter on House floor. February 8th,2011"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Anchia_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-103) speaks with reporter on House floor. February 8th,2011" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-103) speaks with reporter on House floor. February 8th,2011</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Pressing Texas leaders to act on climate change, a state lawmaker on Monday appealed to his colleagues' long-held disdain for federal intervention.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/lawmakers-mull-climate-change-action-inaction/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/texas-house-drill-denton-fracking-bill/">Texas House Approves "Denton Fracking Bill"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 17 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-17 06:00"> April 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/texas-house-drill-denton-fracking-bill/comments/"><span class="value">76</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/texas-house-drill-denton-fracking-bill/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/_DSC8883Darbylayout_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, lays out HB 40 that would curb local control over oil and gas activities on April 17, 2015. With a 122-18 vote, the House sent the bill to the Senate."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/_DSC8883Darbylayout_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, lays out HB 40 that would curb local control over oil and gas activities on April 17, 2015. With a 122-18 vote, the House sent the bill to the Senate." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, lays out HB 40 that would curb local control over oil and gas activities on April 17, 2015. With a 122-18 vote, the House sent the bill to the Senate.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"><span><strong>UPDATED:</strong> The Texas House on Friday approved House Bill 40, which would pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of oil and gas activities.</span> </span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/texas-house-drill-denton-fracking-bill/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/shark-fin-ban-back-house-menu/">Shark Fin Ban Back on the House Menu</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:10:20 -0500" title="2015-04-15 12:10"> April 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/shark-fin-ban-back-house-menu/comments/"><span class="value">11</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/shark-fin-ban-back-house-menu/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/Shark_Fin_SoupTT_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/Shark_Fin_SoupTT_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Ryan McCrimmon</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A proposal to ban the trade of shark fins in Texas sailed through the Texas House on Wednesday, but it faces choppier waters ahead: the Texas Senate, where similar legislation foundered in 2013. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/shark-fin-ban-back-house-menu/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/tesla-makes-sales-pitch-house-panel/">Tesla Makes Sales Pitch to House Panel</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 13 Apr 2015 20:20:57 -0500" title="2015-04-13 20:20"> April 13, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/tesla-makes-sales-pitch-house-panel/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/tesla-makes-sales-pitch-house-panel/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0772_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Tesla vehicle on display outside the Texas Capitol on January 15th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0772_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Tesla vehicle on display outside the Texas Capitol on January 15th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Tesla vehicle on display outside the Texas Capitol on January 15th, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>At a packed committee hearing Monday evening, advocates for Tesla Motors told a panel of Texas House members that it was time to bring state laws into the 21</span><span>st</span><span> century and let the company sell its luxury electric cars in Texas.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/tesla-makes-sales-pitch-house-panel/"> <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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/supreme-court-punts-major-water-case/">State High Court Punts on Major Water Case</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/01/justices-avoid-underground-trespassing-question-ag/">Justices Again Avoid Underground Trespassing Question</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/house-advances-bill-speed-permits-limit-protests/">House Advances Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-republicans-push-energy-changes-congress/">Texas Republicans Push Energy Changes in Congress</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-lawmakers-move-limit-environmental-protests/">Bills Aim to Speed Up Permits, Limit Protests</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/29/ut-survey-finds-support-city-fracking-decisions/">UT Survey Finds Support for City Fracking Decisions</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/27/ethics-watchdogs-question-frasers-energy-holdings/">Watchdogs Question Fraser's Energy Holdings</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/justices-prolong-high-profile-fracking-battle/">Justices Prolong North Texas Fracking Battle</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/23/village-homeless-powered-crowdfunding/">Nonprofits Crowdfunding Power to the People</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: Problematic Fracking Data</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/study-gas-activities-most-likely-caused-azle-quake/">Study: Gas Activities "Most Likely" Caused Texas Quakes</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/texas-mulls-railroad-commission-name-change-again/">Will Texas Ever Change Railroad Commission Name?</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/lawmakers-mull-climate-change-action-inaction/">Lawmaker Urges Colleagues to Act on Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/texas-house-drill-denton-fracking-bill/">Texas House Approves "Denton Fracking Bill"</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/shark-fin-ban-back-house-menu/">Shark Fin Ban Back on the House Menu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/tesla-makes-sales-pitch-house-panel/">Tesla Makes Sales Pitch to House Panel</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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/barnett-shale/">Barnett Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/crez-transmission-lines/">Crez Transmission Lines</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/eagle-ford-shale/">The Eagle Ford Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321im_/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/20150508022321/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/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-lawmakers-move-limit-environmental-protests/">Bills Aim to Speed Up Permits, Limit Protests</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 30 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-30 06:00"> April 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-lawmakers-move-limit-environmental-protests/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-lawmakers-move-limit-environmental-protests/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/29/TXT-CoalPlant-CCR012_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/29/TXT-CoalPlant-CCR012_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Callie Richmond</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Business-friendly Texas still isn't quite friendly enough, Republican lawmakers say, and they're pushing legislation to curtail public input and speed up permits issued by state environmental regulators.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/texas-lawmakers-move-limit-environmental-protests/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/29/ut-survey-finds-support-city-fracking-decisions/">UT Survey Finds Support for City Fracking Decisions</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-29 10:00"> April 29, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/29/ut-survey-finds-support-city-fracking-decisions/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/29/ut-survey-finds-support-city-fracking-decisions/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A hefty slice of Americans support local control over hydraulic fracturing, according to new University of Texas at Austin survey.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/29/ut-survey-finds-support-city-fracking-decisions/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/27/ethics-watchdogs-question-frasers-energy-holdings/">Watchdogs Question Fraser's Energy Holdings</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> and <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 27 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-27 06:00"> April 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/27/ethics-watchdogs-question-frasers-energy-holdings/comments/"><span class="value">18</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/27/ethics-watchdogs-question-frasers-energy-holdings/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/23/7C2A8734_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, on the Senate floor on April 23, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/23/7C2A8734_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, on the Senate floor on April 23, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, on the Senate floor on April 23, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>As the Texas Legislature ponders ethics reforms to increase transparency and reduce conflicts of interests among its members, a key state lawmaker is facing new questions about whether his private business affairs are impacting his public duties.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/27/ethics-watchdogs-question-frasers-energy-holdings/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/justices-prolong-high-profile-fracking-battle/">Justices Prolong North Texas Fracking Battle</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:19:04 -0500" title="2015-04-24 15:19"> April 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/justices-prolong-high-profile-fracking-battle/comments/"><span class="value">89</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/justices-prolong-high-profile-fracking-battle/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/19/MethaneWell_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Steve Lipsky shows the methane contamination of his well by igniting the gas with a lighter outside his family's home in Parker County near Weatherford, Texas on June 17, 2014."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/19/MethaneWell_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Steve Lipsky shows the methane contamination of his well by igniting the gas with a lighter outside his family's home in Parker County near Weatherford, Texas on June 17, 2014." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Cooper Neill</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Steve Lipsky shows the methane contamination of his well by igniting the gas with a lighter outside his family's home in Parker County near Weatherford, Texas on June 17, 2014.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In the latest chapter of a long-running legal fight, a Fort Worth oil and gas company has received permission from the Texas Supreme Court to pursue defamation damages from a Parker County man.</span></p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/justices-prolong-high-profile-fracking-battle/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/23/village-homeless-powered-crowdfunding/">Nonprofits Crowdfunding Power to the People</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 23 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-23 06:00"> April 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/23/village-homeless-powered-crowdfunding/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/23/village-homeless-powered-crowdfunding/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/22/Gridmate_2TT_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A micro-home at Community First Village, a 27-acre community that will house some 250 chronically homeless Austinites. Gridmates, a nonprofit, is using crowdfunding to foot electricity bills at the village."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/22/Gridmate_2TT_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A micro-home at Community First Village, a 27-acre community that will house some 250 chronically homeless Austinites. Gridmates, a nonprofit, is using crowdfunding to foot electricity bills at the village." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Justin Dehn</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A micro-home at Community First Village, a 27-acre community that will house some 250 chronically homeless Austinites. Gridmates, a nonprofit, is using crowdfunding to foot electricity bills at the village.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Trying to create a "new direction in the energy sector," a computer scientist in Austin is using crowdfunding to help low-income Texans pay their electricity bills. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/23/village-homeless-powered-crowdfunding/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">New in Trib+Water: Problematic Fracking Data</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 22 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-22 06:00"> April 22, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150508022321im_/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/20150508022321/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: One study finds inconsistent policies on fracking, another finds industry-supplied fracking data is incomplete </span><span>and an i</span><span>nterview with <span>Yongli Gao of the Center for Water Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022321/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/"> <i 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