Drillers, but Not Fracking, Tied to Tainted Water
Oil and gas activities – but not hydraulic fracturing – tainted drinking water wells atop North Texas’ Barnett Shale and Pennsylvania’s Marcellus formation, according to a new study. Full Story
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Jim Malewitz
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Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.
Past Contributions
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![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 on June 17.]()
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Brown: Halt Fracking Waste Disposal Wells by 2020
Steve Brown, a Democratic candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, has called on regulators to completely halt the permitting of disposal wells for hydraulic fracturing water by 2020 — a bold proposal that one of his opponents dubbed “naïve.” Full Story
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![Steve Brown, a Democratic candidate for the Railroad Commission of Texas.]()
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Railroad Commissioner Raises Concerns About a Russian Threat
Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter on Monday became the second of the state's three oil and gas regulators to raise concerns that Russia is waging a misinformation campaign against hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Full Story
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![Railroad Commission Chairman David Porter.]()
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Natural Gas Fueling Stations Surge in Texas
Texas now has 104 natural gas fueling stations, according to a map released Monday by the Railroad Commission of Texas. That’s nearly 50 more than Texas had last year. Meanwhile, 67 more stations are set to open in 2015. Full Story
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Tainted Well Prompts Free Speech Dispute
A tainted water well in North Texas has already stirred national debate about the impacts of oil and gas production. Now it stars in a free speech dispute that has landed in the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
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![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.]()
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West Texas Solar Plant Comes Online
Less than eight months after breaking ground, the company constructing one of the state’s largest solar plants says it has begun harnessing West Texas’ intense rays. Full Story
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Report: Texas Loses Bid For Tesla "Gigafactory"
After a drawn-out competition, Texas has lost out on Tesla Motors' $5 billion lithium-ion battery plant, according to a news report. CNBC reports that the upscale electric carmaker had chosen the Silver State to be home to its “gigafactory.” Full Story
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![A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires.]()
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Electric Grid Expected to Meet Fall, Winter Demands
Texas should have more than enough electricity to keep its lights on this fall and winter, the operator of the grid covering most of the state says. Full Story
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![A look inside the ERCOT control center in 2013.]()
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DNC Web Ad Pokes Fun at Perry Indictment
In a sarcastic web ad released Thursday, the Democratic National Committee tried to push back against the positive spin Gov. Rick Perry has put on his indictment. Full Story
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In West Texas, Energy Bills Show Unexpected Costs of Drilling Boom
In West Texas, oil and gas development is surging, but it's also fueling a huge demand for electricity that the current infrastructure struggles to meet. The result? A congested grid and higher electricity bills for consumers. Full Story
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![Oil production in West Texas has grown faster than the infrastructure needed to meet the region's new electricity demands. As a result, congestion costs are being passed onto customers' electric bills.]()
Credit: Del Duncan