energy

Dropping Lake Levels Mean Rising Water Quality Issues

By Lara Lapin Nov. 1, 2011

As lake and river levels continue to drop due to the intense 13-month drought, concerns about water quality are growing across Texas. It's an issue that affects fish — and humans. Full Story

Credit: Earl Nottingham/Texas Parks & Wildlife
Video: Home Weatherization Assistance Program

By Justin Dehn Oct. 29, 2011

Austin Energy received $8 million in federal stimulus funds to weatherize the homes of low income Texans. In this video, Rusty Smith, a home inspector with the utility, explains the benefits of making these energy efficient upgrades. Full Story
Drought Eases, but Schools Still Trying to Keep the Grass Green

By Nathan Bernier, KUT News Oct. 28, 2011

Fall weather conditions may bring a small amount of relief to the drought-stricken state, but as Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports, Texas' worst single-year dry spell still has school districts wondering what to do with their football fields. Full Story

Credit: Jussi Mononen
SLIDESHOW: Texas Windmills — and Windmillers

By Axel Gerdau, KUT News Oct. 28, 2011

Windmilling — the art of fixing old water windmills — is difficult and dangerous work, and now it faces competition from solar pumps. But long-time windmillers in the Panhandle wouldn't trade their job for any other. Full Story

Credit: Axel Gerdau
In the Panhandle, the Dying Art of Windmilling Hangs On — For Now

By Kate Galbraith Oct. 28, 2011

Thousands of windmills still exist in remote Texas pastures, pumping water from aquifers for cattle to drink. But the dwinding group of men who sell and fix windmills face hard times due to the drought and competition from solar pumps. Full Story

Credit: Axel Gerdau
Video: Windmillers at Work

By Kate Galbraith, The Texas Tribune, and Axel Gerdau, KUT News Oct. 28, 2011

A windmill company based in San Angelo has been making windmills since 1888 — and the family of Panhandle windmiller Mike Crowell has been in the business of fixing the machines nearly as long. Full Story
Weekend Insider: Texas Weatherization Program, Windmilling

By Justin Dehn Oct. 27, 2011

In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, reporter Becca Aaronson talks about the embattled Texas weatherization program getting back on track. Reporter Kate Galbraith introduces us to a family that's been "windmilling" for more than 100 years. Full Story
Drought's Economic Impact Spreading From Rural to Urban Areas

By Kate Galbraith and Kiah Collier Oct. 27, 2011

Despite the record dry stretch, most Texans are still far from running out of water. But the drought's economic impact is beginning to extend beyond agriculture and into tourism, real estate and other staples of urban economies. Full Story

Credit: Molly Jade
Prop 2 Would Help Fund Water-Supply Projects

By Erika Aguilar, KUT News Oct. 26, 2011

On Nov. 8, Texans will vote on 10 constitutional amendments. Erika Aguilar of KUT News has a look at Proposition 2, which would allow the state to issue up to $6 billion in bonds for water infrastructure projects across Texas. Full Story

Credit: JD Hancock
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

Credit: Gary Nored / Texas Parks and Wildlife
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Oct. 22, 2011

Hamilton on efforts to boost faculty productivity, Grissom on newly uncovered evidence in an old murder case, Galbraith on a wind-powered construction boom, Dehn unfurls the new Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, Aguilar on this year's record number of deportations, Ramshaw and Tan on budget cuts and cervical cancer screenings, M. Smith on local control over student grades, Root and Ramshaw on Rick Perry's latest debate performance, Philpott on an issue that didn't get its due in that debate and Titus and Murphy on fundraising and spending in congressional races: The best of our best content from October 17 to 21, 2011. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Despite Lingering Concerns, Wind Power Transmission Lines Go Up

By Kate Galbraith Oct. 21, 2011

Workers are stringing thousands of miles of wires across Texas to aid the wind-power boom, despite lingering controversy — and an estimated cost of $6.8 billion. West Texas businesses have found a niche providing for workers. Full Story

Credit: Axel Gerdau
Weekend Insider: Super PAC Influence, Wind Power Challenges

By Justin Dehn Oct. 20, 2011

In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, executive editor Ross Ramsey talks about the influence super PACs have on political campaigns, and reporter Kate Galbraith explains the challenges Texas faces with its wind power boom. Full Story
New Federal Forecast Says Drought Likely to Worsen Over Winter

By Kate Galbraith Oct. 20, 2011

While already-sodden northern regions of the United States can prepare for above-average rains this winter, the worst one-year drought in Texas history looks set to persist, according to a federal winter forecast released today. Full Story

Credit: AgriLife Today / Kay Ledbetter
Parched Western States Looking to Perry's Water Record

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Oct. 20, 2011

You won't hear about the water problems out West during the GOP presidential debate, but as Ben Philpott reports for KUT News and the Texas Tribune, the problems are there — and the next President could play a role in the solutions. Full Story

Credit: Ben Philpott
Dewhurst Tells Senate Committees to Study Drought, Wildfires

By Kate Galbraith Oct. 18, 2011

State Senate committees will soon begin studying the impact of drought on power generation, agriculture and the economy, along with how to improve Texas' response to wildfires, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced today. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
More Bad Drought News: End Not in Sight

By Claire Cardona Oct. 18, 2011

The town of Junction recently endured a six-week ban on outdoor watering, during which residents sometimes used bathwater to water lawns. With the prospect of drought becoming a way of life, Junction is searching for solutions. Full Story

Credit: Kurt Kemp, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Peanut Farmers Feeling Strain of Record Drought

By Terrence Henry, KUT News/StateImpact Texas Oct. 14, 2011

Little-known fact: Texas is second only to Georgia in peanut farming. But as Terrence Henry of KUT News reports, while Texas' peanut farmers have dealt with droughts before, they've never seen anything like this year's crippling dry spell. Full Story

Credit: AgriLife Today
Looking Back on Perry's Energy Record

By Mose Buchele, KUT News Oct. 14, 2011

With Rick Perry set to unveil an energy-centric jobs plan today, Mose Buchele of KUT News looks back at the governor's handling of energy policy here in Texas. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich
With the Drought, More Dust Storms

By Lara Lapin Oct. 13, 2011

Despite last weekend's rains, the Texas drought lingers — and experts say the number of irritating and dangerous dust storms could increase across the state, especially in West Texas and the Panhandle. Full Story

Credit: USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service