Past Contributions

• Ballot Initiative Would Improve Water, Lower Property Taxes

  By Ari Auber Oct. 25, 2011

  An amendment to the Texas Constitution on the ballot next month will lower property taxes for landowners who practice good water stewardship. It received unanimous backing in the Legislature. Full Story 

• Hearings Begin on Controversial Canada-Texas Oil Pipeline

  By Ari Auber Sept. 28, 2011

  As the U.S. State Department convenes hearings in Texas this week on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring tar sands crude from Canada to Texas, environmentalists are revving up their opposition. Full Story 

• A Dry Odessa Looks Longingly to El Paso for Help

  By Ari Auber Sept. 14, 2011

  Odessa, running seriously low on water, is looking to the example set in El Paso, a desert city that has poured money into a desalination plant and invested in conservation. Full Story 

• Controversial Pollution Rule On Track, Despite White House Shift

  By Kate Galbraith and Ari Auber Sept. 5, 2011

  Even as the Obama administration delighted conservatives last week by pulling back on a broad regulation to combat ozone pollution, the controversial "cross-state" rule that would also reduce smog-forming pollutants in Texas remains on track. Full Story 

• Drought Damages Texas Infrastructure

  By Ari Auber Aug. 5, 2011

  In West Texas, the main concern is water. In cities like Houston and Fort Worth, clay soil is drying up because of the blistering summer heat, bursting water pipelines and splitting asphalt roads. Across Texas, the cause of these spiraling problems is the same: a nine-month drought that shows no signs of relenting. Full Story 

• Texas Comes Close to Rolling Blackouts

  By Ari Auber Aug. 4, 2011

  After more unabating triple-digit temperatures and continued skyrocketing power demand, the Texas electric grid operator warned of a "high probability" of rolling blackouts, although as of 5 p.m. the danger appeared to have abated. Full Story 

• ERCOT Rolling Out First Step of Emergency Procedures

  By Ari Auber Aug. 2, 2011

  As scorching temperatures continued and Texas electricity use reached another all-time high, the state grid operator initiated the first step of emergency procedures today, seeking power from other grids, including Mexico. Full Story 

• High Temperatures Bring Call for Electricity Conservation

  By Ari Auber Aug. 1, 2011

  As the triple-digit temperatures stretch into August, Texas residents are blasting their air conditioners — and straining the electric grid with record demand. The grid operator is asking that residents and businesses cut down on their electricity use in the late afternoons all week. Full Story 

• Drought May Be Causing Spike in Rabies Cases

  By Ari Auber July 26, 2011

  The number of animal rabies cases — particularly among skunks — has more than doubled since this time in 2010 in the Central Texas region, and the increase may be due to the state's nine-month drought. Full Story 

• Anti-Abortion Measure Targets Travis County

  By Ari Auber July 20, 2011

  An amendment that conservative state lawmakers hoped would wipe out the only taxpayer-funded elective abortions in Texas ultimately might not do much at all. Full Story