The latest energy news from The Texas Tribune.
The Texas coast is a hot spot for “nurdle” pollution, tiny plastic pellets created in the process of producing everyday products. But a plan to require proactive prevention of their release has been scrapped. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d078f62cc3a2ba6a52466eb56122d04/20_Formosa_Plastic_Pollution_EW.jpg)
The governor shared the favorable forecast — which is normal for the fall months — ahead of a competitive race in which the grid’s performance during last year’s fatal winter storm may factor into Texans’ decisions at the polls. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9de846ec645e6899577a9c61edb027d1/Abbott%20ERCOT%20Presser%20LW%20TT%2001.jpg)
During the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency exempted a proposed oil export terminal off the Texas coast from air pollution requirements. This week it rejected the permit because of pollution concerns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/77cd72964a220fcc31fb194e8ccc50eb/2022-04-17_Corpus_Christi_Port_Bay_Pu.Ying.Huang0096.jpg)
Oil and gas companies produce 3.8 billion barrels of wastewater per year in the arid Permian Basin. A state consortium is trying to figure out whether it can be reused. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2200ea94504c73980d23c8e9553e772/Foster_Jerod%20TT%201292.jpg)
Critics are skeptical about whether the new rules by the Railroad Commission will prevent another catastrophe like the power grid disaster in February 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/766cda5c75341fc440dd9118bab4fdd4/TXOGA%20Midland%20Wells%20Tour%20MGO%20TT%2001)
The initial grant will allow Texas to plug a fraction of the state’s approximately 7,400 documented abandoned oil and gas wells. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d19f8ec102ab6a1eba61db2ddf775907/Brackish%20Water%20Imperial%20%20RA%20TT%209889.jpg)
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar singled out financial firms under a 2021 state law that prohibits most state entities from contracting with companies that have reduced or cut investments in the oil and gas industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ba922d5c4978ef696fba811568fdd65/Glenn%20Hegar%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
The state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5edfeda87d3417c1c01f0007e532603d/Pablo%20Vegas%20TT.jpg)
The bill would invest billions into issues acutely impacting Texas, including climate change and health care, and is the result of months of intraparty fighting between moderates and progressives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e57aa2b3bc80921c4e36bb2167894222/Doggett-Fletcher-Cuellar%20Split%20TT.jpg)
Locked in a potentially tight reelection race and facing criticism over the grid’s 2021 collapse, the governor is exerting unprecedented influence over what the state grid operator shares with the public — and who will be its next CEO. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b2dc9d0632fd97844c3f4b9b1b0cb0e6/Abbott%20ERCOT%20Presser%20LW%20TT%2004.jpg)
Alejandro will serve as education and urban affairs editor, and Brandon as news editor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c193bb56091ac8000d9957cad374dc40/alejandro-brandon.jpg)
Occidental’s tax break applications include new details about its carbon removal plans, which some experts see as important to countering climate change. Some environmentalists say the technology is unproven, expensive and only marginally useful at best. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ec306919293b6d1ceaef912e1aa973c1/Occidental%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The handful of Texas Democrats who have a penchant for defending the state’s oil and gas industry includes members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and representatives from some of the top oil producing, refining and transporting regions of the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4b9fdf941c80bf0c07be9b4b6750651/QUAD-Dems-IRA%20TT)
The federal environment agency says it will continue flyovers of the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico until Aug. 15 using infrared cameras to survey oil and gas operations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/20/Foster_Jerod-9856.jpg)
While wind farms in the region could help power and lower energy costs for at least 9 million homes, significant infrastructure upgrades would be needed to supply electricity from the region to other parts of the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67e0ee35b8524946a02ceea87242f859/Hale%20Wind%20Farm%20TrT%20TT%2007.jpg)
In spite of strong support among Texas GOP leaders, nearly all Texas House Republicans voted against the bill intended to boost the state’s semiconductor industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7594c11111bf83423d37698f350399ef/Computer%20chips%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Two proposed wind farms off the Texas and Louisiana coasts would join offshore oil drilling rigs in the gulf as the Biden administration tries to boost the country’s clean energy supply. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d2fdfd3509c319b80d334e1c5c260783/Offshore%20Wind%20Biden%20-%20REUTERS.jpg)
Power outages are a possibility during any severe weather event. But a local power outage is different from a larger power grid problem. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b86acb8280306e60bf1cf49e89580cd1/Austin%20Power%20Plant%20EG%20TT%2024.jpg)
Cryptocurrency mining requires huge amounts of electricity, prompting concerns over the industry’s environmental impact — and whether the state’s grid can keep up. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dbe958495ccf2cad44fe029109c737b6/Whinstone%20Bitcoin%20Mine%20MGO%20TT%2016.jpg)
Until last year, Lubbock residents didn’t get electricity from the main power grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Now, many residents are getting used to requests to limit electricity consumption. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44230b5d73b92c4453874afa400743d3/Downtown%20Lubbock%20TT%2002.jpg)