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Gas flaring has persisted from the beginning of oil production more than 160 years ago. (supakitmod/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

TX faith, environmental groups hopeful about new EPA methane rule

Oil and gas companies have until 2025 to reduce the emissions they release into the air through the practices known as venting and flaring. You may …

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says

TX watchdog group targets pipeline leaks, Railroad Commission priorities

A Texas group is on a mission to reform how the state monitors and repairs oil and gas pipeline leaks. More than 480,000 miles of pipeline run …

The Empowering Rural America program represents the largest investment in rural electrification since implementation of the 1936 Rural Electrification Act. (Courtesy Rural Power Coalition)

'Power to People' film highlights 'New ERA' for rural electric co-ops

A film debuts in Texas today to help member-owned utility customers learn more about opportunities coming their way from the 2022 Inflation Reduction …

Vast tracts of Texas land can accommodate traditional agriculture, including grazing, and solar farms. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

Texas on track for rapid transition to solar-generated power

Texas is showing a flair for solar power generation, demonstrating renewable energy transitions are indeed possible. Dennis Wamsted, analyst at the …

$Oil and gas rigs that emit methane, volatile organic compounds and other pollutants can cause respiratory illness in children and adults. (fracktrack.org) <br />$

2024 will bring comprehensive methane monitoring at Texas well sites

Combating climate change is a major goal of the Biden administration, but new rules governing methane emissions also seek to improve health - …

More than 100,000 clean-energy job openings have sprung up across the U.S. since President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, according to Climate Power, a coalition of environmental groups. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Study: Demand for Green Jobs in TX Twice the National Rate

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

Han surgido m�s de 100.000 puestos vacantes en energ�as limpias en todo Estados Unidos desde que el presidente Joe Biden firm� la Ley de Reducci�n de la Inflaci�n, seg�n Climate Power, una coalici�n de grupos ambientalistas. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Estudio: Demanda de empleos verdes en Texas es el doble de la tasa nacional

En un estado del tamaño de Texas, las oportunidades de trabajo para empleos verdes podrían ser infinitas, y se está reclutando a jó…

A new poll by four environmental groups found a majority of Texas voters, 58% to 33%, want the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its proposal to eliminate emissions from routine flaring at oil wells. (Alexisaj/Adobestock)

Poll: Two-Thirds of Texas Voters Support Tougher EPA Methane Rules

As conservationists await finalization of revised rules governing methane on public lands, a new survey shows a majority of Texans support stronger …

The Castner Range contains cultural sites that document the history of Native tribes, while also providing habitat for wildlife such as the golden eagle, mountain lions and the western burrowing owl. (Dale/AdobeStock)

Texas' Poppy-Covered Castner Range Now State's Third National Monument

A celebration will be held in El Paso Friday after five decades of activism paid off, when President Joe Biden designated Texas' Castner Range a …

Texas, with about 367 miles of coastline, is expected to benefit from the output of offshore wind projects proposed by the Biden administration. (zentilia/Adobe Stock)

Texas Unions Want Offshore Wind to Provide Well-Paid, Safe Jobs

Offshore wind development is coming to Texas under the Biden administration's plan to grow America's clean-energy economy, and union members want the …

The Permian Basin, the most prolific oil-producing region of the United States, has an estimated<br />oil recoverable-resource potential of 20 billion to 75 billion barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Department. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates Urge Stronger Oil and Gas Methane Rules at Well Sites

Conservation groups in Texas want the Environmental Protection Agency to continue its push for tighter restrictions on methane emissions at oil and ga…

The 50-story Trammel Crow Center in the downtown Dallas Arts District has received multiple green building certifications since it was completed in the 1980s. (dallaswartsdistrict.org)

TX Among Top 10 States for Green Building in 2022

The 2022 ranking of "green" buildings shows Texas in 9th place, demonstrating a commitment to LEED certification, according to the U.S. Green …

The 2023 U.S. Congress will include lots of new faces, but many of the same old problems of divided government. (chaiyapruek/Adobe Stock)

Opinion: A Survivable Future through Contraction, Not Expansion

It's 2023, and with it lawmakers will focus on some new, and plenty of old, problems. A retired Texas journalism professor believes while short-term …

Texas has produced more oil and natural gas than any other state, and remains the largest daily producer. (RobertCoy/Adobe Stock)

Texas Could Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Wells in 2023

As part of the U.S. energy transition, the Biden administration has made slashing methane emissions a priority, and supplemental federal rules aim to …

Texas leads the nation in wind-powered electricity generation, producing nearly 26% of the U.S. wind energy, according to the Texas Comptroller's website. (nordroden/Adobe Stock)

How Texas Could Benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act

The U.S. is moving toward net-zero emissions energy goals under the Inflation Reduction Act, but an independent research group believes some regions …

Methane released into the atmosphere is responsible for at least 25% of current global warming, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. (permianmap.org)

Report: Oil-Field Flaring Emits More Methane than Previously Known

Ahead of revised methane regulations expected from the federal government, a new study shows that gas flaring in oil-producing states such as Texas …

The Inflation Reduction Act contains $369 billion in new spending to fight global warming from the oil and gas industry and boost clean energy. (Mike/Pixabay)

New Climate Bill to Tackle Texas Methane Emissions

Included in the Inflation Reduction Act is a provision aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, but it remains to be seen …

Black communities bear disproportionate hardships of the environmental crisis, but have historically been left out of the environmental movement. (upstreamsolutions.org)

Environmentalists: Education, Empowerment Needed Post-Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrations this month commemorated freedom, but Black and Brown people are still disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices …

Some oil and gas lobbyists want low-producing wells to be excluded from coming regulation. (Adobe Stock) Some oil and gas lobbyists want low-producing wells to be excluded from coming regulation. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers Question Cost-benefit of Methane Emissions from Low-Producing Oil and Gas Wells

The country's 565,000 low-producing oil and gas wells - thousands of them in Texas - are responsible for approximately half of the methane discharged …

If Texas were its own country, it would be the third-largest natural gas producer in the world, behind only the United States and Russia. (Adobe Stock)

TX Energy Sector "Vulnerable" in Ukraine Conflict

The U.S. Energy Secretary has called on oil and gas producers to increase their output to help "stabilize the market and minimize harm to American …

Cover cropping offers many benefits in dryland farming in eastern and central Texas. (agrilife.org)

Sustainable Agriculture Gets Boost from New USDA Program

The federal government is adding financial support for farmers in Texas and across the U.S. to adopt climate-friendly practices. This month, the U.S…

Nearly 50% of Texas is powered by natural gas, 20% by coal, 20% by wind and solar, and 10% by nuclear energy, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.(LauraUpshaw/Pixabay)

TX Groups to Politicians: "Break Up with Fossil Fuels"

A campaign to pressure political candidates to forgo contributions from fossil-fuel interests is gaining steam in Texas. Environmental advocates want …

Winter Storm Uri in Texas, on this date last year, caused the largest energy infrastructure failure in the state's history. (NickyPe/Pixabay)

2021 Winter Storm Uri Repercussions Still Felt – in Minnesota

CORRECTION: Brian Edstorm did not directly mention the Build Back Better Act, re-characterized as proponents of the legislation (11:20AM. MST, Feb…

A pesar de las nuevas reglas que requieren que las compa��as el�ctricas de Texas climaticen mejor sus instalaciones despu�s de la tormenta de invierno Uri de 2021, 13 plantas el�ctricas no presentaron informes de preparaci�n para el invierno ante la Comisi�n de Servicios P�blicos del estado. (M. Maggs/Pixabay)

TX Reforma energética provocada por tormenta Uri requiere de opinión pública

No se ha hecho lo suficiente para prevenir otra falla catastrófica en la red eléctrica como la ocurrida en Texas en febrero pasado…

Drivers can save fuel by avoiding quick accelerations, and improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. (SplitShire/PIxabay)

Report: Rising Gas Prices Don't Dampen Big Oil Profits

AUSTIN, Texas -- As Texans continue to endure high gas prices, 24 of the top oil and gas corporations made nearly $174 billion in profits this year…

The Texas counties of Pecos, Nacagdoches and Hutchinson have the highest numbers of

Conservatives Seek Reforms for "Orphan Wells" on Public Lands

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Build Back Better Act making its way through Congress includes reforms for oil and gas production on public lands first …

Collapse of the 90-year-old Lake Dunlap Dam spillway in 2019 because of aging structural steel highlighted infrastructure needs in Texas. (Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority)

U.S. Infrastructure Bill Signed, 'Build Back Better Act' on Deck

AUSTIN, Texas -- With the massive infrastructure bill now signed into law by President Joe Biden, environmental advocates are keeping the pressure on …

Galveston Bay will receive settlement funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to build oyster reefs made mostly from limestone, recycled oyster shells or concrete. (ancolek1998/Pixabay)

Deep Horizon Oil Spill Settlement Funds to Help Restore TX Oyster Reefs

HOUSTON -- Storm damage, pollution and other factors, some related to climate change, are reducing the oyster population, but settlement funds from …

In 2015, nearly 200 countries agreed to individual plans to fight global warming in the historic Paris climate agreement. (TheDigitalArtist/Pixabay)

COP26: Another Attempt to Avert Climate-Change Catastrophe

AUSTIN, Texas -- As climate scientists warn time is running out to reverse the worst effects of climate change, some Texans will be among those …

Four years ago last month, Hurricane Irma slammed into Texas with 100 mph winds and torrential rainfall. (harriscountysheriff)

How Texas Could Benefit from "Build Back Better"

HOUSTON -- How much would the Lone Star State benefit from the Biden administration proposals for clean energy and infrastructure? More than most…

The 2017 4th National Climate Assessment project concluded that, for the 83% of Americans who live in cities, the experience of extreme heat can vary across neighborhoods by as much as 20 degrees. (avMachine713/Pixabay)

Houston Site of Study on Extreme Heat Risk in Coastal Communities

HOUSTON - Cities in the southern United States, especially large urban communities along the coasts, are facing extreme heat attributable to climate …

Amid a recent spike in temperature, Texas residents were asked to set their thermostats higher, turn off lights and avoid using larger appliances to protect the power grid. (926663/Pixabay)

Texans Face Hot Summer, Fragile Power Grid

AUSTIN, Texas - Some areas of Texas already have approached triple-digit temperatures this month, and there's concern older adults could face grave …

En medio de un reciente aumento de temperatura, se pidi� a los residentes de Texas que ajusten sus termostatos m�s alto, que apaguen las luces y eviten el uso de los electrodom�sticos m�s grandes para proteger la red el�ctrica. (926663 / Pixabay)<br />

Tejanos enfrentan un verano caluroso y una red eléctrica frágil

AUSTIN, Texas -- Algunas áreas de Texas ya se han acercado a temperaturas de tres dígitos este mes y existe la preocupación de que los …

Legislation to improve Texas' power grid and avoid blackouts, such as the one in February due to an unexpected winter storm, must reach Gov. Greg Abbott's desk by Sunday. (Mirko Delcaldo/FreeImages.com)

Texas Power-Grid Reform Takes Backseat to Other Priorities

AUSTIN, Texas - With days remaining for Texas lawmakers to pass legislation to avoid future statewide blackouts like the one that occurred in …

An estimated 8% of Texas children, or about 541,000, suffer from asthma, according to the Texas Department of Health Services. (vitalrecordtamhsc.edu)

Congress on Track to Revive Oil, Gas Methane Emission Limits

AUSTIN, Texas -- Regulating methane emissions is seen as an important part of President Joe Biden's ambitious plans to address climate change…

Thirty-three states have created climate action plans or are in the process of revising or developing one, but Texas is not one of them. (today.tamu.edu)

Texas Legislative Committees Meet Thursday On Power Crisis

AUSTIN, Texas - Committees in both the Texas House and Senate on Thursday will begin investigations into what caused millions of people to lose power …

Nearly 3 million Texas households were without heat or electricity this week due to a massive winter storm. (weather.gov)

Fluke or Future? Texas Digs Out from Extreme Weather Event

AUSTIN, Texas - Most extreme weather events in the U.S. have been on the hotter and wetter side in recent years, including fires and floods. But …

Texas has the highest number of billion-dollar weather disasters and leads the United States in total cumulative costs from billion-dollar disasters since 1980, according to NOAA. (andrewtheshrew/Pixabay)

Climate Change Expected to Increase Displacement, Migration in Texas

HOUSTON -- The Biden administration has said it wants to prevent worst-case scenarios due to climate change, and Texas has several risks that need to …

Mortality rates are down, but cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in U.S. children ages 1-19. (unitypoint.org)

Kids' Advocates: It's Time to Prevent Childhood Cancer

AUSTIN, Texas -- Cancer is the leading cause of death among children, despite advances in treatment. David Levine, cofounder and president of the …

Texas currently averages more than 60 dangerous heat days a year with 115 such days predicted by 2050. (NOAA)

Texas Heat-Mapping Project is Largest Ever

HOUSTON - As climate change relentlessly drives up summer temperatures, the city of Houston and Harris County will learn their hottest spots next …

Among those who own General Motors vehicles, a new poll says 87% believe the company should support stronger pollution standards to protect the environment and improve gas mileage. (jirkaF/Pixabay)

Poll: GM Customers Oppose Clean-Car Standards Rollback

AUSTIN, Texas -- A new poll suggests that automakers would be wise to accelerate investments in clean-car technology if they value their customers -- …

Exposure to benzene, a carcinogen released at oil and gas refineries, can cause vomiting, headaches, anemia, increased risk of cancer and death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Patrick Hendry/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: TX Has More Than Half of U.S.' Worst Benzene Polluting Refineries

HOUSTON, Texas -- Ten U.S. oil refineries, including six in Texas, have released levels of cancer-causing benzene into nearby communities above …

Seventy-five percent of Republicans and 90% of Democrats who own Toyota vehicles think the company should support stronger emissions standards designed to help the environment and improve gas mileage. (Hoang Le/Pexels)

Carmakers Could Lose Buyers for Backing New Emissions Rule

AUSTIN, Texas -- A new survey commissioned by the Union of Concerned Scientists suggests that automakers' support for the Trump administration's …

Physical symptoms of stress due to long commutes range from headaches and backaches to digestive problems and high blood pressure. Mental ills include sleep disturbances, fatigue and concentration problems. (Pixabay)

Driving Commutes Increase Stress, Risks to Worker Health

AUSTIN, Texas — More workers are stressed out before they even get to the office, according to a new survey of 2,800 workers conducted by the …

There are 755,000 acres in Texas' Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston national forests, including 4,000 acres protected under the roadless policy. (USFS)

Critics Worry AK Roadless Rule Exemption Could Affect TX Trees

AUSTIN, Texas – The Trump administration is moving to reverse protections for the country's largest national forest, and opponents fear …

Texas has received more than $580 million in LWCF funding over the past five decades, protecting such places as Balcones Canyonlands, Big Thicket National Preserve, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, and Padre Islands National Seashore. (USFWS)

U.S. Senate Considers Permanent Funding for Parks and Recreation Program

AUSTIN, Texas – After winning permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, public lands advocates are pressing leaders …

Rooftop solar reduces the need to tap expensive power plants during spikes in demand, keeping prices down for all electricity customers and strengthening grid viability. (USAF)

Free Tours of Texas Solar Homes This Weekend

AUSTIN, Texas – This weekend, homeowners in Texas and all 50 states are opening their homes to friends, neighbors or anyone curious about …

Mercury pollution in the United States has declined by 80 percent since 2012. The neurotoxic heavy metal has been shown to disrupt fetal brain development. (PDTillman/Wikimedia Commons)

Texas Moms Testify to Keep Mercury Protections

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Mothers from 15 states including Texas traveled to the nation's capital this week to testify against moves by the …

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TX: Energy Policy