The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
Will the lights stay on in 2012? Even Texas grid operators, who are coming off a tumultuous year, cannot say for certain. A lot will depend on the weather — namely, whether the state suffers through another piping-hot summer. Full Story
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In this episode of Weekend Insider, reporter Kate Galbraith talks about whether Texas will have enough electricity to make it through another hot summer. And reporter Jay Root tries to track down just how much Gov. Rick Perry's run for the White House is costing Texas taxpayers. Full Story
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In a curious development amid the year's record-setting drought, the Trinity River — which runs south from Dallas and empties into the Gulf just east of Houston — has kept on flowing. Dave Fehling of KUHF News reports on where all the water is coming from. Full Story
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The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new rule on Wednesday aimed at reducing the amount of mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants. It is unlikely to improve Texas officials' low opinion of the federal agency. Full Story
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A new study of tree rings indicates droughts are typically a once-a-decade phenomon in Texas and that the state has had several "mega-droughts" lasting 15 to 30 years over the centuries. Full Story
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In January, Texas will adopt a statewide building code that should cut the energy consumption of new single-family homes by more than 15 percent — and big cities like Houston are jumping even further ahead. Full Story
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A report from the Environmental Protection Agency showing that gas drilling led to water contamination in a Wyoming town sent shockwaves through the energy industry this week. Mose Buchele of KUT News reports on what the findings could mean for drilling in Texas. Full Story
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Though a state commission is considering raising the cap on energy prices, Dave Fehling of KUHF News and StateImpact Texas reports that some think allowing rates to rise won't be enough to ensure that companies can keep building plants in a state that keeps on growing. Full Story
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Rules requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in the controversial hydraulic fracturing process will take effect in Texas in February, the Texas Railroad Commission decided on Tuesday. Full Story
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Levels of lung-damaging ozone spiked this year across Texas, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Scientists are still trying to understand why, though the hot weather is likely part of the cause. Questions are also rising about the ozone impacts of oil and gas drilling. Full Story
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Root on Rick Perry's controversial new ad, Tan on the fallout, Aaronson's map of where the food stamps go, my interview with Stephen Colbert's campaign finance lawyer, Aguilar on the drop in the number of illegal immigrants crossing into Texas, Hamilton on the growth of unregulated colleges, Galbraith's interview with S. David Freeman on the environmental failures of public power, Grissom on the newest state agency and and Hamilton and M. Smith on a sudden change at the top of UT's law school: The best of our best content from December 5 to 9, 2011. Full Story
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State officials launched a campaign this week soliciting donations to help fund Texas parks, which saw a drop-off in visitors this year because of record heat and wildfires. Matt Largey of KUT News reports. Full Story
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The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on managing wind energy, how electric cars could change the grid and what he's learned by monitoring his electricity consumption at home . Full Story
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Only you can help Texas parks recover from devastating wildfires and a dropoff in visitor-generated revenue, the state parks department says. The agency launched a campaign today asking for donations to help fill a $4.6 million budget hole. Full Story
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The former general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority talks about rebuilding the organization after the "Trailergate" sex scandal, the environmental failures of public power and why electricity deregulation is a "huge mistake." Full Story
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According to scientists, much of what is now Galveston Island could someday be under water. As Dave Fehling of KUHF News and NPR's StateImpact Texas reports, the potential crisis has some worrying that the city and state have ignored the threat. Full Story
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put off a decision on whether to declare the dunes sagebrush lizard, which lives in West Texas, an endangered species. The delay has pleased Texas business groups but alarmed environmentalists. Full Story
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In a report released Thursday, the state's electric grid operator indicated that next summer could see a repeat of the rolling blackout threats that plagued Texas past summer. The reason: rising demand for electricity and some power plants going offline. Full Story
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In his newest campaign ad — airing today in Iowa — Rick Perry name-checks Jimmy Carter in accusing Barack Obama of "all talk, no action" on ending America's dependence on foreign oil. Full Story
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A wild flock of whooping cranes flies each year from Canada to the Aransas marshes of the Texas Gulf Coast. As Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, the fate of the endangered birds has spurred a federal court case in Corpus Christi set to begin next week. Full Story
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