energy

The Brief: Feb. 6, 2015

By John Reynolds Feb. 6, 2015

Rick Perry had some choice words in an interview Thursday with the Tribune and the Washington Post on what separates him from Ted Cruz. Full Story

Credit: Cooper Neill
Price Plunge Adds New Wrinkle to Mexican Energy Reform

By Jim Malewitz and Julián Aguilar Feb. 5, 2015

After years of political wrangling, Mexico is poised to open up its state-run energy monopoly to private investment, pumping excitement into Texas. But as crude oil prices fall, will investors walk through that door? Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
The Brief: Feb. 5, 2015

By John Reynolds Feb. 5, 2015

House Speaker Joe Straus leaned toward the familiar in filling open spots at the top of the chamber's top-tier committees. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
The Brief: Feb. 4, 2015

By John Reynolds Feb. 4, 2015

The ability of Austin tech firm 21CT to secure a $20 million Medicaid fraud software contract through a no-bid program run by the state's Department of Information Resources drew intense scrutiny from Senate budget writers on Tuesday. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
Texas Justices Renew Royalty Owner's Fraud Case

By Jim Malewitz Feb. 3, 2015

In a case that highlights the challenges Texas mineral owners face in ensuring oil and gas operators pay what they promise, the Texas Supreme Court has revived the claim of a man who alleges he was shortchanged on royalties. Full Story
Texas Bearing Brunt of Drop in Oil Drilling

By Becca Aaronson and Jim Malewitz Feb. 3, 2015

After months of plummeting oil prices, nightmares about idled drilling rigs have become reality, hitting Texas the hardest. See how many rigs the state has lost in recent months. Full Story

$Pipes used for fracking are shown in front of a Fasken OIl and Ranch drilling rig outside of Midland on Oct. 8, 2013.$

Credit: Jerod Foster
The Brief: Feb. 3, 2015

By John Reynolds Feb. 3, 2015

The state representative at the center of a controversy over treatment of visitors to the Capitol for Texas Muslim Capitol Day last week told the Tribune on Monday that she didn't expect her Facebook post to raise such a ruckus. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Legislation Would Let Electric Generators Get Bigger

By Jim Malewitz Jan. 31, 2015

Texas bars companies from owning or controlling more than 20 percent of the electric generation capacity in the state. A lawmaker wants to eliminate that cap. Full Story
Friday Night Football Returns to Water Politics

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Jan. 30, 2015

Two years ago, the drought prompted a rare outbreak of teamwork as lawmakers from both parties and most corners of Texas together crafted a $2 billion fund to provide more water. This session, though, it looks like we're going back to good old-fashioned water rivalries. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
The Brief: Jan. 30, 2015

By John Reynolds Jan. 30, 2015

In a week where the news was driven to a large degree by rallies on the Capitol grounds — from open carry activists to anti-Muslim protesters — it's perhaps fitting that the week closes with another one. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Drought Summit Offers Help to Organic Farmers

By Eva Hershaw Jan. 29, 2015

Small and organic farmers being sapped by the drought often don't qualify for, or know about, government programs that might help them out. A gathering Thursday aimed to help them get over those stumbling blocks. Full Story
New in Trib+Water: Water Wars in Central Texas

By John Reynolds Jan. 28, 2015

In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: Water wars in Hays County and on the Edwards Aquifer, the new ag commissioner says water is a top issue and an interview with Anthony Tarquin of the University of Texas at El Paso Full Story
In Revising Media Policy, Railroad Commission Stresses Transparency

By Jim Malewitz Jan. 27, 2015

The Texas Railroad Commission is overhauling its media policy, striking language that mentions punishment for agency employees who relay incorrect information to news outlets. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Lawmakers Consider Boosting Earthquake Research

By Jim Malewitz Jan. 23, 2015

State lawmakers are considering a nearly $2.5 million plan to help answer a pressing question in some Texas communities: Why does the ground keep shaking? Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Groundwater Wars Brewing in Austin's Hill Country Suburbs

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Jan. 23, 2015

A crack in Texas' mishmash groundwater regulatory framework is allowing a water company to pump a huge amount of water from underneath Hays County with virtually no oversight. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
A Debate Over Fracking and Local Control

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn Jan. 23, 2015

After Denton voters decided to ban fracking, other Texas cities could weigh similar moves. Legislators are expected to look at ways to avoid a city-by-city fight over drilling regulations. This is the fourth video in our eight-part State of Mind series. Full Story
The Brief: Jan. 23, 2015

By John Reynolds Jan. 23, 2015

More news reports are highlighting growing questions about 21CT's activity at various state agencies. Full Story
Fired TCEQ Investigator: Law Firm Triggered Dismissal

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal, and Jim Malewitz, The Texas Tribune Jan. 22, 2015

A former Texas environmental investigator says he tried to blow the whistle on his employer. But instead of helping him, he said, a high-profile Texas law firm tattled on him, leading to his dismissal. Full Story
The Brief: Jan. 20, 2015

By John Reynolds Jan. 20, 2015

Festivities are the order of the day as the state's newest governor and lieutenant governor are sworn in. Full Story

Credit: John Jordan
The Brief: Jan. 19, 2015

By John Reynolds Jan. 19, 2015

With Rick Perry and David Dewhurst leaving town, the spotlight shines fully this week on incoming Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich