The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
Activists who work with unhoused people noted improvements in the city’s planning and coordination, but said shelters were difficult to reach for some and couldn’t accommodate families with children. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/126c80826d9a2d541ad8429548ae89e5/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2016%20MM%20TT%2009.jpg)
As newly elected Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and a City Council with an array of fresh faces review their first major crisis, the city’s top officials once again find themselves trying to figure out why the city botched its response to a significant weather event. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/777f440437ec6e588571c20fde325d7b/0203%20Kirk%20Watson%20AE%20File%20EL%2002.JPG)
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas was following a new state law targeting investment firms that seek to invest in companies that don’t worsen climate change. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e0fedd918ce6606a92d9611a04f1bd2/Teacher_Retirement_System_3_TT_JJ)
Austin City Council members will evaluate Spencer Cronk’s employment during their Thursday meeting. Cronk was hired in 2017. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83a8e3bf551fdc7ed779deba9d28f186/APD%20Joseph%20Chacon%20Swearing%20EL%20TT%2004.jpg)
A company planning to build a massive liquefied natural gas export facility near Brownsville says carbon capture technology will reduce its pollution, but some locals say it’s a “Band-Aid on a bullet hole.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ef914cf015dcae8a0fb47ab6fd40f43e/Floodlight%20LNG%20TT%2004.jpg)
The city originally said it would restore all power by 6 p.m. Friday. But more than 57,000 customers are still without electricity Saturday night. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9043223d5e43d20a9b9858a2970f7023/0201%20Ice%20storm%20EL%2001%20TT.jpg)
Experts say local governments should prioritize extreme weather preparedness. Cost can be a deterring factor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/738a96c56c12318474ad922487eb81a3/0202%20Ice%20Storm%20DTX%20ST%20TT%2007.jpg)
Friends in North Austin removed downed trees from neighbors’ roofs, while closer to the city core, volunteers rushed to meet the immediate needs of people without homes — those most severely impacted by the freezing temperatures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4485783462a8f0166f3bb12d5acb122f/0202%20Chainsaw%20Clearing%20EL%20TT%2005.jpg)
Severe weather this week is confronting Texans with old problems and stirring up memories of previous crises. Experts say this can be a detriment to mental health. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ecc3ff9807420ae6cb56af172d5d08e/0201%20Ice%20storm%20EL%2003%20TT.jpg)
The Hill Country loves its trees. But improper pruning and a drought earlier in the year may have contributed to the huge number of downed branches this week that frequently took power lines with them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9a518cd77969491240de08aae827cfc1/0202%20Ice%20Storm%20ATX%20Day%202%20EL%20TT%2015.jpg)
As tens of thousands of households and businesses face a third day in the dark, Austin leaders say they will improve emergency communications. But residents and critics have little patience for bungled warnings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d356f84d30d858fbb6b4b775a4c4bf47/Winter%20Storm%20ATX%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
In December, legislators killed a controversial tax abatement program known as Chapter 313, but its effects will last decades. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ce2265e7ebfb0d3f21e63680b9a268f/2022-04-17_Corpus_Christi_Port_Bay_Pu.Ying.Huang0085.jpg)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to investigate allegations that the state is failing to enforce the Clean Water Act. Environmentalists say the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s system of issuing permits has made it too easy for industries to contaminate rivers, lakes and estuaries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9b9c95074c9eb21d3b34fc9def225ce3/06_Skull_Creek_Pollution_MS_TT.jpg)
McBride Operating LLC and its owner, Joseph McBride, contributed to the political campaigns of the three commissioners on the Texas Railroad Commission now considering his request. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e4591ef99756d27730c32e9ee695061/0118%20Paxton%20Oilfield%20Dump%20DB%20TT%2001.JPG)
Close to 325,000 electricity customers statewide lacked power Thursday evening. Austin’s main power provider said it can no longer promise full restoration by 6 p.m. Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f4d7f40b1f9a640c52cb4aaadaaa0656/0201%20Ice%20Storm%202023%20SanMco%20JV%20TT%2008.jpg)
School closures and hazardous road conditions are expected throughout a large portion of Texas, according to forecasts. State officials caution Texans about local power outages but expect the grid to stay up. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/21522f00eb9b6b62727aeadf490d5adf/ATX%20Ice%20Storm%202022%20LW%20TT%2010.jpg)
The Texas Railroad Commission has rejected the proposal twice over water contamination concerns, but locals are dismayed that the commissioners keep giving the developer more chances to alter its application. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d77517885b0c6a62447e0cd130c92fb9/0118%20Paxton%20Oilfield%20Dump%20DB%20TT%2005.JPG)
A Texas Tribune analysis of state data found that at least 279 people in Texas were killed by heat last year, and a large portion of those deaths were likely migrants who died after crossing the border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a95a2dbb1aaa26df6fe3eaf50f06c53b/1214%20Border%20Helicopter%20JH%2007%20TT.jpg)
Commenting on the EPA’s proposed new rule to reduce methane leaks nationally, environmentalists said Texas regulators are hesitant to address emissions of the climate super-pollutant. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/82416fb337cf448e23544ae9afd82a7b/7C2A8893.jpg)
Millie Thompson Williams was elected the tribe’s first female second chief, a lifetime appointment, last year. For the first time, her accession comes as women make up the majority of the tribe’s council. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4231de8b3f1b15da9d78ebd6d75e804f/0103%20Millie%20Presser%20AM%2002.jpg)