Travis Bubenik

Energy & Environment Reporter

Travis Bubenik reports on the tangled intersections of energy and the environment in Houston and across Texas. A Houston native and proud Longhorn, he returned to the Bayou City after serving as the Morning Edition Host & Reporter for Marfa Public Radio in Far West Texas. Bubenik was previously the News Director for NPR member station KVNF in rural Western Colorado, where he reported on local environmental and economic issues.

News

Report: Texas Natural Gas Flaring at Record Highs

Posted on August 13, 2018 · Too much gas + not enough pipelines = more and more flaring

News

Regulators Approve Changes to State’s Electricity Shopping Website

Posted on August 9, 2018 · The Public Utility Commission of Texas has criticized electric companies for offering confusing power plans on the website.

News

Efforts Underway to Better Arm Santa Fe Police Officers

Posted on July 31, 2018 · Donated rifles and a fundraising effort for tactical gear are the latest responses to a school shooting in May that left 10 people dead

Energy & Environment

As Waiver Requests Are Considered, Energy Sector Feels Impacts of Steel Tariffs

Posted on July 30, 2018 · The energy sector continues to push back against the Trump Administration's trade moves

News

Fracked Oil Wells Declining Faster than Drillers Might Realize, Report Says

Posted on July 30, 2018 · “The Permian is a tough basin," says an analyst behind the report

News

Settlement Reached in Air Pollution Lawsuit Against Pasadena Refinery

Posted on July 26, 2018 · Pasadena Refining System has agreed to new pollution controls, upgraded hurricane planning and fines to fund an electric vehicles program.

News

Researchers Find Signs of Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Harvey Flooding Samples

Posted on July 25, 2018 · A new study gives scientists a better understanding of how the storm contaminated homes and bayous

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Regional Flood Plan Seeks to Improve Warnings, Protections along San Jacinto River

Posted on July 24, 2018 · The plan calls for updating flood risk analyses for hundreds of miles of waterways in the area

News

Texas Grid’s Big ‘Test’ Could Last Beyond The Heat Wave

Posted on July 23, 2018 · The state is breaking records for electricity use at a time when power reserves have dropped.

News

Coastal Texas Towns Still Struggling From Harvey’s Economic Impact

Posted on July 18, 2018 · Restaurants and bars in the Port Aransas are back and "strong," but the area is still dealing with a loss of hotel rooms

In-Depth

As Post-Harvey Buyout Money Rolls In, Some Have Already Given Up On The Program

Posted on July 16, 2018 · Officials say about 20 percent of the people approved for home buyouts since Harvey have dropped out of the program.

News

Texas Releases Plan To Use BP Oil Spill Money For Harvey Recovery

Posted on July 12, 2018 · The state wants to spend more than $31 million on economic and ecological restoration efforts.

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Texas Poised For ‘Dramatic’ Uptick In Oil And Gas Deals

Posted on July 11, 2018 · An upcoming report says drillers plan to sell off "non-core" assets in search of stronger cash flow.

News

Months After Harvey Damage, High Levels Of Toxins Still Present At San Jacinto River Superfund Site

Posted on July 2, 2018 · The agency says toxins haven't spilled beyond the Superfund site, though they have been "exposed."

News

Abbott Asks Trump To ‘Reconsider’ Steel And Aluminum Tariffs

Posted on June 28, 2018 · Echoing comments from trade groups, the governor says the tariffs could hinder growth in the oil and gas industry.