Facing multiple lawsuits, North America’s largest chemical manufacturer requests an “unprecedented” permit amendment to authorize its discharge of polyethylene pellets into coastal waters.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
Dan Patrick seeks to block Camp Mystic’s summer reopening pending inquiry into July 4 flood deaths
The lieutenant governor’s request to delay renewing the camp’s license came hours after parents who lost children in the July 4 flood sued the state for its alleged failure to enforce an evacuation plan requirement.
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Environment
The border wall is closing in on Big Bend, sparking opposition by locals
Residents and elected officials are speaking out against a proposed border barrier through Texas’ biggest state park and one of the jewels of the national park system.
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Environment
Texas sues Dow, claiming “habitual” pollution violations at Gulf Coast chemical plant
Local citizens who are preparing their own lawsuit against the chemical giant say Attorney General Ken Paxton’s suit could shield Dow from bigger penalties.
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State Government
Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom
The 3-2 vote from Hood County commissioners Tuesday came after they received a letter from a state senator saying they did not have the power to issue a moratorium.
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Environment
Attorney general sues Bastrop factory after residents complain about noxious odors
The state’s environmental regulator has issued multiple environmental violations and the lawsuit states the company has failed to fix the problems.
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Environment
“A disaster waiting to happen”: How the fracking boom put an oil field in the Guadalupe River floodplain
Lack of a state floodplain policy enabled oil companies to build in parts of Texas hit by an epic inundation less than 30 years ago.
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Hill Country floods
Family of still-missing camper sues to shut down Camp Mystic
The lawsuit by Catherine and Will Steward, parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward, argues the family who owns and operates the camp should “never be responsible for children again.”
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State Government
Texas law barring state investment in firms boycotting fossil fuels declared unconstitutional
A judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.
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Energy
In the West Texas oil patch, companies plan gas power plants to run new data centers
The developer of one project, in Pecos County, calls it the largest power project in the U.S. Data centers are sparking a surge of gas power plant construction in Texas.