The city’s water supply has been nearly depleted by a prolonged drought and a recent boom of oil refineries in the area. Locals have been limiting outdoor watering, shower time and car washes.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Immigration
Feds plan to install 536 miles of floating barriers on Rio Grande to deter migrants
The government is installing the first 17 miles of industrial-grade buoys in Brownsville. Experts warn the buoys could intensify flooding and change the river’s course.
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Environment
Corpus Christi says two new developments will buy it more time before reaching water crisis
The city manager said the city received permits to pump more groundwater and will avoid water reductions from a shrinking reservoir for now, pushing a potential water crisis to July.
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State Government
Texas has taken over issuing permits to store carbon underground. Here’s what to know.
The move of authority to the Texas Railroad Commission from the federal government now makes it easier for energy companies to apply for permits to store carbon underground.
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Environment
Corpus Christi water emergency may be just two months away, city leaders say
Two out of the five projections city leaders presented Tuesday showed water shortages beginning in May. The city has yet to detail plans for how to reduce water use for residents and businesses.
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TribCast
TribCast: Corpus Christi’s water woes
What does Corpus’ looming water crisis mean for the rest of the state?
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Environment
As Corpus Christi water shortage worsens, residents and businesses may soon have to cut their usage 25%
The City Council will discuss the looming crisis Tuesday. One model predicted a water emergency in November. Other scenarios show that happening in May.
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Environment
Why an East Texas rancher donated part of his water rights to the state
As Texas faces growing water challenges, the donation to the Texas Water Trust — a little-known conservation tool created nearly 30 years ago — was the first in two decades.
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Energy
A plan to get more electricity to West Texas may come undone
Oil and gas companies have said the region needs more power. Environmentalists and a conservative think tank worry the state is moving too fast — and ratepayers will see the costs in their bills.
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Economy
After a decade of missteps, Corpus Christi careens toward water catastrophe
City officials expect to reach a “water emergency” within months and run out of water next year. That would halt jet fuel deliveries to Texas airports, hike gas prices and trigger a local economic disaster without precedent, former officials say.