Energy
December 3, 2019
Boomtown
A 10-part podcast series from Texas Monthly and Imperative Entertainment.
Energy
Reporting and commentary on the Texas energy industry and innovations shaping its future
Latest
101-150 of 429 Articles
Energy
December 3, 2019
Announcing ‘Boomtown,’ a New Podcast on the Greatest Oil Boom in History
Our new 11-part series takes you inside the rugged Permian Basin of West Texas, where roughnecks and billionaire wildcatters are fueling a boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics.
Energy
October 16, 2019
How One Desperate Energy Executive Launched the Fracking Revolution
When his Houston-based company was on the ropes, George Mitchell pushed his engineers to resuscitate a declining North Texas gas field. The solution they came up with transformed the world.
The National Podcast of Texas
July 29, 2019
Russell Gold: “Texas Has Become an Incredible Leader in Renewable Energy”
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the author of ’Superpower’ outlines the state’s pioneering role in America’s transition toward fossil fuels alternatives.
Books
June 26, 2019
What Happens When a Houston Energy Guru Messes With the Power Grid?
‘Wall Street Journal’ reporter Russell Gold’s new book, ‘Superpower,’ crafts an engaging narrative of one man’s quest to modernize the American energy business.
Energy
May 29, 2019
The Permian Basin Is Booming With Oil. But at What Cost to West Texans?
Though some will reap serious profits, the region’s dealing with skyrocketing rents, overcrowded schools, and potholes as big as VW Beetles.
Energy
May 6, 2019
A New Pipeline Through the Hill Country Is Pitting the Oil Industry Against Landowners
The state’s biggest industry finds itself in an unusual position: facing landowner-friendly reforms at the Texas Legislature.
Energy
January 3, 2019
How West Texas Became Woodstock for Frackers
Welcome to the Permian Basin, home of the hottest oil play in the world.
Energy
September 15, 2018
Tackling the Financial Reality of ‘Saudi America’
In her new book, Bethany McLean explores the unstable financial future of fracking.
Energy
August 6, 2018
Electric Deregulation Is Working in Texas, Says Lawmaker Who Led the Effort
During a summer with record heat and record power usage, supply is keeping up with demand.
Energy
June 8, 2018
Rick Perry Hands Texas A&M Lucrative Los Alamos Contract
The current head of the Department of Energy gave his alma mater a $2.5 billion gig, and they beat out rival UT’s bid.
Energy
May 9, 2018
Katie Mehnert: Foster Industry Communities to Promote Women
"We need more women to tackle the energy transition and tackle the biggest challenges we face: climate change, energy poverty, and good infrastructure."
Energy
May 9, 2018
Nicki Turnbow: Be Tough and Do Your Job Well
"As a woman, you can’t put yourself in a bad position. One day, a foreman asked me to ride down with him to where they were drilling a deep gas well, about 45 miles away. I didn’t any more want to go than a man in the moon, and I
Energy
March 7, 2018
Rick Perry Delivers the Gospel of ‘Energy Realism’
The energy secretary outlined the Trump administration’s new direction at an oil and gas conference in Houston.
Energy
January 26, 2018
What Trump’s Solar Tariffs Mean For Texas
Some observers fear the tariffs could slow the industry's rapid growth.
Energy
December 30, 2017
The New Yorker’s Lawrence Wright on Texas Oil
We recommend this gripping piece on the boom-and-bust cycle for your weekend longread.
Energy
December 23, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Exxon to Disclose Risks from Climate Change
Plus: power reserves dip from coal plants shuttering and Austin commands the cheapest solar.
Energy
December 22, 2017
Failure to Prep for Climate Change Could Hurt Texas’s Credit Rating
States and cities that do not create adequate "adaptation and mitigation strategies" may face tarnished credit ratings, Moody's warns.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Odessa Stinks! (Literally.)
In recent months the West Texas oil town has smelled, in one resident’s words, like ”a dog’s anal gland.” And no one is 100 percent sure why.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Odessa Stinks! (Literally.)
In recent months the West Texas oil town has smelled, in one resident’s words, like “a dog’s anal gland.” And no one is 100 percent sure why.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Gas Prices Are at Their Lowest Since Harvey
Just in time for Christmas.
Energy
December 16, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Houston Pushes Aside Cushing in Oil Trading Ranking
Plus: Texas installs quite a few solar panels, CenterPoint Energy has a gas outage in Northeast Texas, and pipeline companies worry about their tax break.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Energy Transfer Partners Files Lawsuit Against Greenpeace
The Dallas-based company, which owns a major stake in the Dakota Access pipeline, is seeking $1 billion in damages.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Texas Mayors Pledge to Fight Climate Change
Part of the Climate Mayors organization, the leaders are striving to meet goals stated in the Paris Agreement.
Energy
December 14, 2017
West Texas Property Sales Don’t Always Include the Wind Rights
As wind energy takes a central role in the Texas grid, ”wind rights” are the new mineral rights.
Energy
December 9, 2017
How the Tax Bills Could Affect Energy Companies
Oil and gas companies get a pass-through provision from Cornyn; wind energy companies may have a harder road ahead.
Energy
December 8, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Politicians Push Trump to Reduce Ethanol Mandate
Rick Perry returns from Saudi Arabia, Sen. Cornyn slips a little something nice for big oil into the tax bill, and Exxon opens its first gas stations in Mexico.
Energy
December 8, 2017
Transportation Overtakes Electricity As Top Polluting Sector
Transportation edged out electricity as the biggest source of carbon emissions last year in the United States.
Energy
December 8, 2017
Why Offshore Oil Workers Should Reflect on December 10
The date is the anniversary of an important court ruling for oil industry employees.
Energy
December 2, 2017
Wind Power Capacity Has Surpassed Coal in Texas
Scientists at UT predict that by 2019, the state will get more energy from wind than coal.
Energy
December 1, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Strongest Evidence Yet Links Wastewater Injection to Texas Quakes
Plus: Wind power soars past coal in Texas, T. Boone Pickens puts his giant ranch up for sale, and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson is on his last legs as Secretary of State.
Energy
November 30, 2017
A New Study Offers Further Proof That North Texas Earthquakes Are Drilling- and Fracking-Related
The fault lines had been inactive for 300 million years before fracking started.
Energy
November 28, 2017
Coal Belt to Sun Belt?
Texas has a golden opportunity for clean energy: reusing coal-mining land for utility-scale solar.
Energy
November 22, 2017
So Much Natural Gas—But Where to Put It?
There are not enough pipelines to take away the natural gas being produced in the Permian Basin.
Energy
November 22, 2017
Debating the Permian Basin
Experts discuss Permania and the oil field’s future at the University of Houston.
Energy
November 21, 2017
West Texas: The Future of Texas Energy Resilience
Investments in transmission lines from wind-producing regions bring options, savings, and reliability to consumers.
Energy
November 20, 2017
Houston Museum of Natural Science Opens High-Tech New Energy Hall
One of the museum’s most popular attractions is back and bigger than ever.
Energy
November 17, 2017
U.S. House Tax Bill Bad for Wind Energy
Renewable projects fare better under the Senate’s tax reform measure.
Energy
November 17, 2017
Texas a Testbed for Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technology
CCS has the potential to play an important role in reducing the carbon emissions from power generation.
Energy
November 17, 2017
Fracking Disproportionately Affects Communities of Color in Texas, Study Shows
The authors call for increased mandatory distance between disposal wells and water sources and for local community members to be more vocal in decisions regarding wastewater.
Energy
November 15, 2017
Important Offshore Safety Measure May Be Lost in Zeal to Repeal Regulations
Operators need to monitor data from their wells in real time in order to prevent the next Deepwater Horizon, experts say.
Energy
November 11, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Oil Companies Hire 30,000 Workers Over Past Year
Plus: Rick Perry makes a fossil fuel gaffe, a $100 million West Texas solar project goes on hold, and Exxon starts looking into green energy.
Energy
November 10, 2017
Lackluster Confirmation Hearing for Climate-Change Skeptic
The former head of the TCEQ did not impress senators in Washington on Wednesday with her grasp of science.
Energy
November 9, 2017
Can Engineers Convert Heat from Pavements into Clean Energy?
A recent grant can help the UTSA team improve their thermal energy-harvesting system.
Energy
November 4, 2017
This Week In Texas Energy: Two Coal Plants to Shutter
Also: A lawmaker celebrates a proposal to end subsidies for electric cars, batteries in West Texas, and fracking’s impact on air quality.
Energy
November 2, 2017
Energy Secretary Rick Perry Says Fossil Fuels Could Reduce Sexual Assault in Africa
His comments come after a recent visit to South Africa.
Energy
November 2, 2017
A California Experiment Could Shape Texas Electricity Rates
Making TOU rates a reality for residential customers in Texas could help solve challenges facing the electric grid.
Energy
November 1, 2017
Gasoline Price Gouging Was Rampant During Harvey
More than one hundred gas stations in Texas face fines.
Energy
November 1, 2017
The Oil Boom’s Roots in East Texas Cotton Farming
Oil’s rise was as dependent on the old as much as the new. The industry also benefited from changes in agriculture.
Energy
October 25, 2017
Texas Has a New Way to Measure Seismic Activity Amid an Epidemic of Oil Field–Linked Quakes
The University of Texas-Austin claims the most advanced state-run earthquake monitoring system in the nation.