Energy & Environment

Posted on September 13, 2012 · Early yesterday morning, something went wrong at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, east of Houston.

Posted on September 13, 2012 · After a hearing yesterday, a judge in Beaumont is now considering how he will weigh-in on the controversial keystone pipeline project. Construction has already begun in Texas but there's a hold-up.

Posted on September 11, 2012 · Texas has been a stand-out recovering from the recession, creating more jobs than many other states. But it's not all good. StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling found a place where jobs are few. And that's why people who live there are very concerned when they hear about stricter government regulations that could have an effect on employment.

Posted on September 5, 2012 · Starting last year, federal regulators began urging pipeline operators to replace aging systems. Nowhere may that be more critical than in Texas where old pipelines are being used in new ways.

Posted on August 28, 2012 · Big companies in Texas are saving millions of dollars by not having to pay a fee that millions of smaller companies and residential customers do pay. The fee helps fund programs aimed at making houses and commercial buildings more efficient. StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling tracked down the story behind why some pay the fee ... and some don't.

Posted on August 23, 2012 · One of the last private land owners fighting the Keystone XL pipeline suffered a major setback last night. StateImpact Texas reporter Terrence Henry has more.

Posted on August 20, 2012 · Dramatic increases in the amount of oil and gas being produced in Texas has brought with it an increase in air pollution. That could be a threat to people living near well sites. But there's conflicting information about the threat — and whether it's already meant higher cancer rates in some places. StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling begins our story in North Texas.

Posted on August 14, 2012 · Texas is waging a legal battle against the federal government's efforts to toughen regulations on industries that pollute. But who's winning and at what cost?

Posted on August 7, 2012 · If you live in the drilling area around Dallas-Fort Worth known as the Barnett Shale, you may have noticed that recently the ground has been a bit shakier than usual. A new study out this week from UT says the culprit is the oil and gas industry.

Posted on August 7, 2012 · Texas is a big state where perceptions can vary greatly depending on where you live. For example, air pollution and whether drilling oil and gas wells may be making it worse.

Posted on July 31, 2012 · Starting tomorrow, the state-regulated maximum price for wholesale electricity takes a big jump. The "peak price" as it's called can be hit on very hot days when demand for power surges. But as StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling found, there's controversy over whether those higher costs can be passed on to consumers.

Posted on July 24, 2012 · Thousands of oil-field workers in Texas may be at risk from what they're breathing at drilling sites. Here's what StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling found in south Texas, one of the busiest places in the nation for oil and gas production.

Posted on July 17, 2012 · To hear some tell it, Texas is in a bad way when it comes to having enough electricity. The Texas Public Utility Commission is trying to encourage construction of new power plants by raising prices. Next month, those new, higher prices for wholesale electricity take effect. But now, as StateImpact reporter Dave Fehling found, some utility companies say the higher price may not be nearly high enough.

Posted on July 2, 2012 · One executive says it's nothing short of a "rebirth" of the petrochemical industry. It's happening along the Texas Gulf Coast as big companies are sinking billions of dollars into new plants. StateImpact Texas reporter Dave Fehling headed to one city near the coast to find out why, and what it's doing to create jobs.

Posted on June 27, 2012 · With this week's 100 degree weather, there's been concern over rolling blackouts to reduce demand for electricity. But insuring they never — or almost never happen — could cost you hundreds of dollars a year. StateImpact Texas reporter Dave Fehling has been investigating what state regulators want you to pay for. And he starts by looking back at a time last year when Texas was hit with abnormal temperatures — abnormally cold temperatures.