The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
Lawmakers grilled public regulators and energy grid officials about how power outages happened and why Texans weren't given more warnings about the danger. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/120f80cda439cd42c625fb6ed66de545/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2020.jpg)
On this week's TribCast, Matthew talks with Ross, Alana and Erin about the political fallout from the winter storm and what the state might do to prevent future widespread power outages. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23ed652b76bfea8b383737cd7e4b47b9/Snow%20Storm%20TribCast-Template.jpg)
Oil refineries, chemical plants and other industrial operators emitted 3.5 million pounds of excess pollution during the winter storm and power crisis in Texas, according to an analysis of company notices provided to state regulators. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b68eb18184a5bb49def30d842d3e8b2a/Houston%20Ship%20Channel%20MS%20TT.jpg)
"Tragic does not even begin to describe" the suffering Texans endured, Abbott said Wednesday evening. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8ab52d74197a198d8913a831fb267b6e/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2021.jpeg)
For lack of heat and water, people died last week — in the great state of Texas and in their own homes — who would be alive right now, had the state taken heed of recommendations made after past winter storms and blackouts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/01b0fc3e41d64225375a5c86437a6e88/Seton%20Hospital%20EL%20TT%2010.jpg)
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Biden would “meet with local leaders to discuss the winter storm, relief efforts, progress toward recovery and the incredible resilience shown by the people of Houston and Texas.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/20ddd1716338a3c77a767d8833a40208/Joe%20Biden%20MS%20TT.jpg)
Advocates for people experiencing homelessness drove through Texas' largest cities trying to bring them to the available warming centers and emergency shelters. The official number of casualties is still unknown. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/38baf0dd9aa89056da772f8bb96adaaa/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2016%20MM%20TT%2018.jpg)
Texas sustained between $45 and $50 billion in damage and economic loss from the storm, according to AccuWeather. So far, people in more than 100 counties can begin applying for federal assistance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ae511190e46b8691b7d9962e1e770742/HTX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2019%20MYL%2010.jpeg)
Electric bills are likely to rise for everyone, experts and consumer advocates say, but some Texans on variable rate contracts have been hit with immediate, massive price spikes. Lawmakers and the governor have promised to help, but haven't said how. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e8cf6f0de4f70260b84688f81d5a0443/Karen%20Knox%20-%20High%20Bills%20ST%20TT%2002.jpg)
State leaders will start an investigation this week to figure out why utilities in Texas were outmatched by a weeklong winter storm. They did the same thing 10 years ago, and we still weren't ready. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/db1034dcae1998f4bd0604f5997ac93f/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%2008.jpg)
Last week's winter storm was brutal for the whole state, but rural Texans faced particular hardships, like distance from helpful neighbors. And newborn calves. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8a64ae5a00a181055a17b7e4d88b0e17/Rural%20TX%20Winter%20Storm%20SV%20TT%2006.jpg)
We’re tracking the fallout from the massive winter storm in Texas, which has brought widespread power outages and transportation problems. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1c0bed9a44451865bde5e9da6b0343c7/ATX%20Millennium%20Food%20Dr%20EL%20TT%2015.jpg)
Retroactively equipping power plants to withstand cold temperatures is likely to be very difficult and costly, energy experts say. Building energy infrastructure to perform in winter conditions is easier — and cheaper. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1f506d8fa291741393a7f43e543bc6d7/Dallas%20Winter%20Storm%20BT%20TT%2004.jpg)
When the lights went out this week and Texans lost access to power and clean drinking water, the Texas Division of Emergency Management failed to provide accessible and life-saving updates on outages and inclement weather. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64a79345e18d8c1338af7a0e25d61f5d/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
Dozens of deaths have been tied to this week's storm, but experts say the death toll is likely far larger. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/584ae4697ae29e0a395a6bc9ceb3b4cc/San%20Marcos%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20TT%2006.jpg)
Biden also said he has directed multiple federal agencies to assist people in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bf57bced83cd9680e14528d7822670b3/Biden%20Oval%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
As power returns, half the state has issues with its water supply, and thawing pipes are at risk of bursting and flooding homes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05b10ddef6de76cafa4d91065748b05e/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2012.JPG)
Texans face a cascade of frustrations and expenses as the state tries to recover from the storm. Insurance companies are bracing for claims rivaling those after major hurricanes, and homeowners are trying to find plumbers and electricians. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c83570801c5479c65ff17fdc2eacddbc/Brodie%20Apartment%20Fire%20MG%20TT%2007.jpg)
We’re tracking the fallout from the massive winter storm in Texas, which has brought widespread power outages and transportation problems. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f80380bb7480859c40ef44db063a4fc/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2018%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
The Texas government's failures in the face of a winter storm have been very hard on Texans, and could do lasting damage to the state's reputation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/25dbe56c871458c411fb1770564538ba/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Feb%2017%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)