Following hours of testimony on Friday, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved two transmission lines to ship electricity to the oil-and gas-producing west.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Environment
FEMA still hasn’t approved most disaster aid for Texans hit by this year’s July floods
The six-week wait for approval fits a pattern: On average, the Trump White House is taking longer than previous administrations to approve major disaster assistance, research shows.
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Environment
Ross Fire grows to one of the largest wildfires on record in North Texas
Over three days the fire has grown to more than 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties and is 26% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. No injuries have been reported.
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Data Centers in Texas
After years of hardship, Texas agriculture faces a new threat: data centers
Data centers and agriculture depend on many of the same resources, such as water, land and electricity, which has some in the industry worried about the future.
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Environment
How Corpus Christi’s water emergency exposed flaws in Texas’ water planning
State water planners don’t use climate projections when they plan for future water supply. Experts say they should model for more extreme droughts rather than relying on historical data.
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Screwworm in Texas
Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.
The New World screwworm poses a multibillion-dollar threat to the state’s cattle industry. We’re keeping track of where these cases are reported.
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T-Squared
We investigated development rules after the deadly 2025 Hill Country flood. Then it flooded again.
A Tribune-ProPublica investigation found Texas lawmakers repeatedly failed to take action that could have protected residents in flood-prone areas.
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Environment
Pressure mounts to allow treated oilfield waste in Texas rivers and on rangeland
As oil and gas companies run out of places to dispose of their wastewater, Texas regulators are drafting permits to treat and reuse it outside the oilfields.
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Immigration
Federal judge extends pause on border wall construction at South Texas wildlife refuge
An irrigation district claims border wall construction is damaging its property and canal.
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TribCast
TribCast: Could rural rage really swing a statewide election?
In this week’s episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and economy reporter Paul Cobler. They discuss the anger in rural Texas over data centers and power lines, and ask Miller why he thinks it means Democrats could win a statewide race in November.