Oil and gas cleanups are on Biden’s agenda. Will Texas embrace it?
Some areas of Texas could benefit from Biden’s federal directive to accelerate cleanups of legacy oil and gas, mining and hazardous waste contamination. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d19f8ec102ab6a1eba61db2ddf775907/Brackish%20Water%20Imperial%20%20RA%20TT%209889.jpg)
-
![Brackish water flows from an unplugged abandoned well outside Imperial in Pecos County — one of several in the area likely drilled for oil but later tapped for water.]()
Credit: Rafael Aguilera for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey and Michael McCaul talk snowstorm, leadership
U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey and Michael McCaul sat down virtually with The Texas Tribune to discuss last week’s destructive snowstorm and how Texas can move forward — plus, what leadership in Washington should look like. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e3e698837107260560f0e6decd448a1/TTE_BidenAdmin-leadart-v2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Toxic substance or water supply? Lawmakers to weigh whether wastewater from oil fields could replenish the state's aquifers
A recent EPA decision will allow Texas to regulate water discharges from oil drilling operations. Some lawmakers see a future water supply for the state in the decision, while environmental groups — and some scientists — warn it could be risky. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/56f4f09ed5ba4d37ab5af0f2b2d2c44a/frac_water_pond_w_chainlink_fence_MKC_TT.jpg)
![Fracking water retention pond near Big Spring, Texas.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas legislators eye tougher rules on chemical tanks to prevent explosions, spills during storms
A string of explosions involving little-regulated petroleum and chemical storage tanks have lawmakers and regulators talking about new rules as the Legislature prepares to convene this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4767d57deaacd93b1b4d6307b512bf9/Oil%20Houston%20Facility%20PP%20TT.jpg)
![An aerial photograph of the Stolthaven Oil Tanking facility along the Houston Ship Channel on Nov. 10, 2015. Shell's Deer Park facility can be seen in the upper right.]()
Credit: Edmund D. Fountain/ProPublica/Texas Tribune -
Environmental groups allege Texas rubber-stamped industrial plants' pollution — and that the EPA looked the other way
The groups are suing the EPA, saying it failed to address concerns that air permits issued to big industrial facilities didn’t meet federal standards. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08953f02df030add823ccd5ee5e25131/Houston%20Refinery%20Pollution%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![A house stands in the Manchester neighborhood while refineries are visible in the background in Houston on Sept. 8, 2018.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Loren Elliott -
Texas' move to control coal ash pollution could shield industry from tougher rules under Biden-led EPA
Texas is close to finalizing a years-long effort to wrangle control of coal ash pollution from the EPA, a move that could, for a time, keep coal companies insulated from tougher rules expected from the next administration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36e38e10a3980911ec665dcc293f3053/02_Fayette_Power_Project_MG.jpg)
![The Fayette Power Project plant is a coal-fired power plant located near La Grange, in Fayette County. Jan. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Oil companies snag Gulf of Mexico waters for offshore drilling in last bid before Biden transition
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to ban new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters. The Trump administration held its last Gulf of Mexico auction Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b1542ba2f5b568ca94cd8759abe3c704/Oil%20Drilling%20Gulf%20of%20Mexico%20IS%20TT%2003.jpg)
![An Offshore oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
Texas Republicans highlight energy issues as a closing argument of campaign
Texas' oil and gas industry has had a horrible year. As the recession persists and Election Day nears, Republicans have latched on to Donald Trump and Joe Biden's debate exchange about the energy sector and the environment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0a9ccc8511b81ce7524abc1c338b6139/Oil%20Gas%20Pump%20Jacks%20JF%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Oil pumpjacks in Andrews County, northeast of Kermit.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster for The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump and Joe Biden sparred over Texas’ energy industry and global warming during final presidential debate
In debating a major Texas industry, Trump emphasized economic priorities while Biden advocated for alternate means of energy besides oil and gas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/123bceaf7c94b25106c5ad811cf6fd5f/Trump%20Biden%20Final%20Debate%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participated in their second 2020 presidential campaign debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee on Oct. 22, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar -
As energy secretary, Rick Perry mixed money and politics in Ukraine. The deals could be worth billions.
When the then-energy secretary accidentally helped lead the president into impeachment, he was simultaneously trying to help his friends cash in on a big gas deal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8032a091295bebe539c007a605d46b73/01%20Rick%20Perry%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry at a news conference in Baghdad, Iraq on Dec. 11, 2018.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani -
Trump rallies oil and gas workers in the Permian Basin against Democrats ahead of the November election
President Donald Trump's comments doubled as part campaign speech, part policy announcement, as polls continue to show a close competition with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the once-solidly red state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbd4254e3a26d435e052eb99cb59f3ed/Trump%20in%20Midland%20July%2029%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. President Donald Trump signs presidential permits for energy development during a tour of the Double Eagle Energy Oil Rig in Midland on July 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Carlos Barria/REUTERS -
Long a GOP voice on health care, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess seeks a higher post
The North Texas representative is vying to be the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2fe54416fe6aa23741d878459fd3aabd/Michael%20Burgess%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, gives an opening statement during the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing at the U.S. Capitol in response to COVID-19 outbreak. May 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Greg Nash/Pool via REUTERS -
Coronavirus in Texas: Texas A&M System approves a plan for in-person classes during pandemic
Live updates: Texas reported 1,230 new coronavirus cases Friday. At least 61,006 Texans have tested positive for the virus, and 1,626 have died. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46577d4d189e92b1584ee85aa543b0d6/Bars%20and%20Bowling%20Alleys%20reopen%20JV%20TT%2019.jpg)
![Customers wait in line to enter Chupacabra Cantina in downtown Austin as Texas bars reopened on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas businesses returning during coronavirus are unlikely to spur fast economic recovery
As workers and customers reemerge into a society still grappling with a spreading coronavirus, the power Gov. Greg Abbott and officials across the globe used to close businesses in the first place does not extend to reviving the economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/267332b28738baf27cd7c4b21607d34f/The%20Barn%20Door%20SATX%20CL%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Donna Heath, floor manager of The Barn Door Restaurant, poses for a portrait during her shift in front of the restaurant in San Antonio on May 18, 2020.]()
Credit: Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribune -
"All of the party was over": How the last oil bust changed Texas
A plunge in oil prices in the 1980s had ramifications across the state — even without landing at the same time as a pandemic and economic crisis. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36d5c0c04a582732d724d32cade3812d/1980%20Oil%20Bust%20BD%20INC%2001.jpg)
![Downtown Midland, Texas office buildings lacking for tenants during the oil bust, October, 1987. Photos by Bob Daemmrich for one-time use on the Texas Tribune site with story.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/BDP, Inc. -
How Lina Hidalgo is navigating coronavirus and conservative backlash in Texas’ biggest county
Harris County has seen new cases plateau under the county judge. But her orders designed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus have generated outrage among some conservatives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c131c1d0caf1505711df3e65d77ac9f/Judge%20Lina%20Hidalgo%20MF%20TT%20017.jpg)
![Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo poses for a portrait outside of her office on May 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Business has reopened in Texas, but the economy won’t be back anytime soon, experts say
The Texas energy sector has helped insulate the state's economy during national downturns. This time, experts say the industry could hold the economy back. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/615b6d1d10199ae0585409089e71eb92/Eagle%20Ford%20Oil%20Patch%20JV%20TT%2032.jpg)
![A gas flare in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio, TX.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
Watch: Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick discusses the effects of the coronavirus on the oil and gas industry
We sat down for a live virtual event with Craddick to discuss her take on oil prices, Texas’ energy industry and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eb795cc36bfa139f4362dae8f994ba27/TTE-vCCraddick_leadart.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Analysis: You didn’t think a pandemic could stop highway planning in Texas, did you?
All eyes in Texas are on the coronavirus and the state government's response to it. But some of the biggest state agencies are still doing what they always do, like building highways and debating oil and gas regulations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/92b5499f0c53b8915de88cf0d38ccf97/Austin%20COVID%20File%20EG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Light traffic on I-35 during the coronavirus pandemic on April 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: Texas reports 22,806 cases and 593 deaths, releases online map of testing locations
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8b9ad0cbe02fda7a6928a1f9aef72f3e/San%20Marcos%20COVID%20File%20EG%20TT%2031.jpg)
![Downtown San Marcos during the coronavirus pandemic on April 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune