Agriculture Stakes Its Claim as Water Debate Heats Up
As Texas lawmakers mull a plan to safeguard the state against future water shortages, agriculture groups are already worried they might be left high and dry. Full Story
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Bill Could Bring Dairy Farming Back to El Paso
State Rep. Mary González, D-Clint, wants to bring dairy farming back to her district by repealing a decade-old ban on the practice, the result of longstanding concerns over bovine tuberculosis. Full Story
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![Livestock from Licon Dairy, on Feb. 19, 2013, outside of Fort Hancock, Texas, in Hudspeth County. The dairy farm had 42 acres and approximately 40 heifers.]()
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A&M Wants More Funding for State Climatologist
Texas A&M University has requested $284,000 from the Legislature to expand the operations of the state climatologist, John Nielsen-Gammon, who says more money would help support research and relieve some of his ever-growing workload. Full Story
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At House Hearing, Mayors Stress Water Conservation
A who's who of mayors, lawmakers and agency officials testified at the Capitol on Tuesday in support of using $2 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund for water projects. But before that, they said, the state must focus on conservation. Full Story
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After Plant is Canceled, Coal Faces Bleak Future in Texas
Plans to build a new Gulf Coast power plant called White Stallion have fizzled, marking a victory for environmental advocates and — for now, at least — the demise of new coal plant projects in Texas. Full Story
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![Rikki Stanley, director of local development for the White Stallion Energy Center, shows a chunk of the type of coal that the coal plant plans to burn.]()
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Renewable Energy Faces Hurdles in Legislature
This session, renewable energy advocates are bracing to defend critical policies that have helped Texas become the leading wind-power state. The discussions include a renewable energy mandate and a key tax incentive. Full Story
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![CPS Energy's Blue Wing Solar Farm in San Antonio is the largest solar array in Texas and is capable of producing enough electricity to power 1,800 households.]()
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The Wind Blows, the Sun Shines: The Tax Breaks
Ten years ago, the renewable energy industry basked in political popularity. With the rise of the Tea Party, it is now under fire. Clean energy advocates will spend part of the legislative session fending off attacks. But they also have some big dreams. Full Story
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Fraser Seeks Overhaul of Water Development Board
In addition to the discussions of water infrastructure funding at the Capitol, an even more basic issue is also on the table: whether to restructure the Texas Water Development Board. Full Story
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Water Use in Fracking Draws Lawmakers' Attention
At a joint meeting of the House Natural Resources and Energy committees Wednesday, legislators said that even if fracking accounts for only a small portion of the state's water use, every drop counts. Full Story
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Bill Aims to Calm Interstate Tension Over Water Rights
State Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, filed legislation this week that would create a commission to work with neighboring states like Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma on securing water for Texas. Full Story
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Obama's Emphasis on Natural Gas Puts Texas in Spotlight
President Obama on Tuesday night peppered his State of the Union address with proposals for America's energy future, including natural gas development. But what do those proposals mean for Texas? Full Story
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Sierra Club Takes Aim at Coal Plants in East Texas
A battle over Texas coal is heating up, as the Sierra Club is launching a targeted effort to close down 1970s-era coal plants owned by power-generation giant Luminant. It will be one of the club's biggest anti-coal campaigns in the nation. Full Story
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Water-Reuse Projects Move Forward, Despite "Toilet-to-Tap" Concerns
Several Texas cities have plans to implement potable reuse projects, which put treated wastewater through extra chemical and biological processes before it eventually becomes part of the drinking supply. Full Story
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![Odor Control tanks stand outside the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wichita Falls, on Friday, January 25, 2013.]()
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Hearing Targets Water Conservation, Cleanup
At a joint House and Senate Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, officials found common ground over the need for conservation and the development of new technologies that could be used to increase the state’s water reserves. Full Story
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Border Coal Mine Plan Advances; Opponents Consider Their Options
A decision by the Texas Railroad Commission has paved the way for an open-pit coal mine to begin operating on the Texas-Mexico border. Opponents of the plan are weighing their options, which include making a request for another hearing. Full Story
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Bills Aim to Stop Diverting Funds Meant for State Parks
Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story
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Lawmakers Seek Cash to Fix Roads Hit by Drilling
As lawmakers look for a way to fix infrastructure crumbling under the weight of a drilling boom, talk of reducing the tax money that feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund is drawing attention. Full Story
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Bills Aim to Douse HOAs' Xeriscaping Restrictions
Texas homeowners associations often require members to keep plush lawns. But some are easing their rules as the drought continues, and two Texas lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent the groups from restricting xeriscaping. Full Story
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Perry Talks Water, Tax Relief in State of the State
In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education. Full Story
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At Railroad Commission, a Push to Modernize
The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming. Full Story
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![Local pumper Bobby Thomason works on cleaning up an old well that was recently worked over to start producing again on a lease in Caldwell County near Luling, January 22, 2012.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney
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