Energy & Environment
Weeks After Declaring Mission Accomplished, Abbott Orders Further Changes To Texas Grid
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas to overhaul the state’s electric grid via a letter sent Tuesday.
Energy & Environment
ERCOT Calls On Texans To Conserve Power Amid High Summer Demand, Forced Outages
Posted on · It is the second time the state’s grid operator has made such a request since devastating blackouts gripped Texas in February.
Winter Storm Aftermath
It’s Becoming Clearer Who Profited From The Blackouts, And That’s Raising Questions Of Price Gouging
Posted on · Natural gas was in short supply during the blackouts and could be sold at a premium. With no market controls, gas increased hundreds of times its normal value.
Energy & Environment
Bill To Prevent Texas Cities From Banning Natural Gas Heads To Governor’s Desk
Posted on · With the support of the natural gas industry, Oklahoma and Louisiana have already preemptively passed laws to ban local natural gas bans.
Energy & Environment
While Texas Lawmakers Target Renewables, The State’s ‘Thermal Fleet’ Threatens Grid Stability Yet Again
Posted on · The state’s grid operator warned of a possible energy emergency on the grid Tuesday. It said slightly warmer-than-expected weather was part of the problem, but it was really the fact that coal, gas and nuclear power were offline all at once.
Energy & Environment
ERCOT Ends Energy Conservation Alert After Warning Of Emergency Grid Conditions
Posted on · The grid operator issued an alert Tuesday, warning that electricity demand on the grid was close to surpassing supply.
Energy & Environment
ERCOT CEO Defends Power Outages As Texas Lawmakers Probe Winter Storm Response
Posted on · Bill Magness, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said widespread blackouts during last week’s winter storm were necessary to prevent grid failure.
Energy & Environment
Grid Managers Say Texans May Get ‘Rotating’ Blackouts Once Their Power Returns
Posted on · Some power plants and infrastructure that were knocked offline due to the freezing weather are up and running again, but the grid's condition remains critical.
Energy & Environment
One In 10 Permian Basin Flares Are Spewing Methane Into The Air, Environmental Defense Fund Says
Posted on · The industry practice known as “flaring” has been decried as wasteful and polluting by public health groups, environmentalists and even some in the industry.
Election 2020
Houston-Area And Statewide Primary Election Runoff Report
Posted on · Winners from Tuesday's runoff will go on to the November general election.
Texas
In Texas Cities, Protests Over Police Violence Lead To Clashes
Posted on · Despite some violent encounters between police and protesters Friday night, Houston's weekend of protests was largely peaceful compared to other cities.
Energy & Environment
‘It’s A Joke’: Flaring Expert Finds Big Problems In Report From Texas Oil And Gas Regulator
Posted on · Industry groups applauded a report on the practice of "flaring," but a leading researcher has found plenty to criticize.
Energy & Environment
Kinder Morgan Says It Has Reached A Milestone In Central Texas Pipeline Project
Posted on · The company says it has secured the legal right-of-way necessary to build out the project on private land across the state.
Energy & Environment
Texas’ Biggest Oil And Gas Industry Group Accepts Role In Climate Change
Posted on · Scientists have said for more than a century that emitting carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels heats up Earth’s atmosphere. But, until recently, industry representatives and their political allies have avoided acknowledging the link publically.
Energy & Environment
Got An Idea To Save Bats From White-Nose Syndrome? The Government Wants To Hear It!
Posted on · If your idea to combat the fungal disease is picked as one of the most promising, you could win up to $20,000 and work with scientists to test out your idea.