State Climatologist Has Eye on the Sky for Texas
John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas' state climatologist since 2000, has seen his duties explode in the last 18 months amid public clamor for information on the drought. Full Story
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Kate Galbraith
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Kate Galbraith covered energy and environment for the Tribune from 2010 to 2013. Previously she reported on clean energy for The New York Times from 2008 to 2009, serving as the lead writer for the Times' Green blog. She began her career at The Economist in 2000 and spent 2005 to 2007 in Austin as the magazine's Southwest correspondent. A Nieman fellow in journalism at Harvard University from 2007 to 2008, she has an undergraduate degree in English from Harvard and a master's degree from the London School of Economics. She is co-author of “The Great Texas Wind Rush,” a book about how the oil and gas state won the race to wind power.
Past Contributions
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Bad News Expected Today for Texas Rice Farmers
Texas rice farmers near the Gulf Coast are anxiously awaiting word on whether they'll get water from the Lower Colorado River Authority for a rice crop this spring. The LCRA says the farmers' prospects are not good — which will relieve other Texans who also have a stake in the water. Full Story
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![Residents of Lake Travis have extended staircases and moved docks further out to accommodate lower lake levels. Some say the declining levels are bringing down property values.]()
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Conservation a Growing Focus for Industrial Plants as Drought Stirs Fears
For Texas industry, the drought has brought a conservation focus at many plants, which may have to pay more for future supplies. Full Story
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![The Conoco Phillips Sweeny refinery in Old Ocean on February 21, 2012 along Texas 35.]()
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Texas' Coal-Fired Power Fell Sharply in January
The amount of Texas electrical power produced by coal plunged in January compared with a year earlier, and cheap natural gas appears to be the cause. Wind power production, meanwhile, has soared. Full Story
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Texas Supreme Court Hands Victory to Landowners in Landmark Water Case
In a case with potentially vast implications for groundwater rules, the court has unanimously ruled in favor of two farmers in the San Antonio area who challenged a local aquifer authority's restrictions on their well use. Full Story
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Updated: LCRA Passes Water Plan for Lakes
The Lower Colorado River Authority will soon decide whether rice farmers near the Gulf Coast will get water this year when the lakes near Austin are low because of the drought. Full Story
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![Low water levels at Lake Travis because of drought; photo taken May 16, 2011.]()
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A Rush for Water Wells as Texas Drought Drags On
As the drought drags on, many Texans are getting their own water wells drilled. But the growing demand has some worried that the groundwater could start drying up, too. Full Story
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![Workers with Bee Cave Drilling install a jackhammer bit on the drilling rig while putting in a water well on a private lot in Spicewood, Texas on February 6, 2012.]()
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Lawmakers Holding Their Breath on Wind Credit
Texas has a commanding lead over other states in wind-power production. But the looming expiration of a federal tax credit jeopardizes the boom — and Texas' congressional delegation does not appear to be clamoring loudly to save it. Full Story
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What if There's a Mega-Drought? Comptroller Considers Impact
A report released Wednesday by the Texas comptroller's office looks at the impact of the current drought and other scenarios. Full Story
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TPPF Criticizes Upcoming "Avalanche" of EPA Rules
A report released Monday by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation renewed its criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmentalists say the group's concerns are misplaced. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman