A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistance
The bill would have set deadlines for the oil and gas industry to plug inactive wells, which can pose a danger to the environment. Full Story
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Carlos Nogueras Ramos
Permian Basin Reporter
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Carlos Nogueras Ramos is a regional reporter based in Odessa. Carlos joined The Texas Tribune in 2023 as a corps member with Report for America. Carlos tells the stories of Texas from the vast energy-rich Permian Basin region. Before the Tribune, Carlos spent time in Philadelphia writing about local politics, including the city’s 100th mayoral election. A Spanish speaker, Carlos was one of the few Latino reporters on the campaign trail, covering the most expensive primary election to date in Philly. He is a proud Puerto Rico native, born and raised in Cayey. He studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Puerto Rico.
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![A pump jack and a gas flare in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
West Texans, Mennonites at center of measles outbreak choose medical freedom over vaccine mandates
In rural West Texas, measles has sickened nearly 150 people, most of them unvaccinated. A school-age child has died. The virus is spreading among Gaines County’s Mennonite community, where government mandates are not trusted. Full Story
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![A child holds a man’s finger during a service at Community Church of Seminole on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Seminole.]()
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In Odessa, multiple efforts are underway to help immigrants stay and work
A naturalized citizen, along with other business leaders, are working to create new resources for undocumented people living in the Permian Basin. Full Story
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![Miriam Guzmán, left, and Theresa Servin pose for a photo on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Odessa.]()
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Why oil and gas companies want state oversight for carbon dioxide injection
Environmentalists are worried the state — known for a lax approach to regulation — is not prepared for the added responsibility of regulating certain carbon capture projects. Full Story
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![Story caption:
Once the carbon dioxide is captured, the gas is compressed and transported, usually through pipelines, to a storage location, which is later injected into deep underground rock formations where it can be permanently stored.
Original alt-text:
Petra Nova CCS Facility at NRG Power Plant in Richmond on May 18, 2018.]()
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Oil companies leaked less methane in West Texas, a new report says. Environmentalists are skeptical.
Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and is 80 times the potency of carbon dioxide. Full Story
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![An array of pumpjacks operate outside of Tarzan on Sept. 15, 2023. Tarzan is an unincorporated town north of Midland, about halfway between Andrews and Big Spring. in Martin County.]()
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A Texas teenager helped his border community win a $13 million grant to improve the environment
Presidio, northwest of Big Bend National Park, will get dedicated green spaces along bike lanes and pedestrian streets, plant thousands of native trees and establish a high-school run air quality monitoring program. Full Story
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![Ramon Rodriguez, Project Homeleaf Founder and Elvira Hermosillo, Big Bend Conservation Alliance Programs Director]()
Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune -
Some Texas business leaders are apprehensive about Trump’s pledged deportations
“We wouldn’t survive” without undocumented workers, one South Texas produce business owner said. By one estimate, 8% of Texas’ workforce lacks legal status. Full Story
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![Construction workers building homes in far west San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.]()
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Seven Texans facing federal execution given clemency, four others given state pardons
On the same day that President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of seven Texans, Gov. Greg Abbott issued his own set of pardons. Full Story
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![President Joe Biden speaks as he visits the Department of Labor for an event honoring the nation's labor history and Frances Perkins, longest serving U.S Secretary of Labor, in Washington on Dec. 16, 2024.]()
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Odessa elected its first gay City Council member
Donald Trump won Ector County, which includes Odessa, with more than 70 percent of the vote. Full Story
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![At Large City Council member Craig Stoker poses for a photo at city hall on Dec. 3, 2024.]()
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Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.
Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been slow and faces new challenges. Full Story
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![A sign welcoming visitors to Big Lake. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Mitch Borden for The Texas Tribune