TEXAS TRIBUNE

Ramon Rodriguez, once ignored by Presidio, Texas, secured a $13 million federal grant under Biden's 2022 Infrastructure Reduction Act to fund environmental projects. Managed by the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, the grant will enhance greenery, tackle pollution, and support infrastructure improvements, propelling Presidio's sustainable future.

In Arlington, Texas, residents grapple with methane emissions from local oil and gas wells. A federal rule requires operators to reduce methane leaks, but as Texas gathers public input for its state plan, concerns about health impacts persist. The rule aims to reduce pollution, but enforcement challenges loom.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously voted to swap 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park for 477 acres near Laguna Atascosa with SpaceX despite public opposition. The vote allows for negotiation and environmental assessments. Concerns include restricted beach access and environmental impact.

Frigid weather in Texas caused industrial facilities to release over a million pounds of air pollution due to machinery failures and power outages. This highlights a regulatory loophole that allows companies to exceed emissions limits during weather-induced upsets, prompting calls for stricter enforcement.

Batteries supplied a record 2,172 megawatts of electricity to the Texas grid, meeting high demand amid emergency conditions. Battery storage is expanding rapidly, aided by decreasing costs and federal incentives, and is crucial as Texas transitions to renewable energy, despite legislative challenges and exclusion from certain tax benefits.

Texas starts imposing a $200 annual fee on electric vehicle (EV) drivers as of today, arguing they should contribute to road infrastructure. This decision, backed by Senate Bill 505, has sparked debate over its fairness and potential barriers to EV adoption, especially among low-income Texans.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to buy Fairfield Lake State Park from Todd Interests, a Dallas developer building a gated community there. Despite $125 million available for state park purchases, Todd refuses to sell, citing property rights concerns and environmental damage from ongoing development.

A one-acre garden at a former Texas coal mine has produced 10,000 pounds of produce for six food pantries, supporting 2,000 people monthly. Managed by Texan by Nature, the garden exemplifies land restoration efforts on the 35,000-acre Jewett mine, emphasizing community collaboration and environmental reclamation.

Communities across Texas have urged the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to tighten regulations on concrete batch plants due to pollution concerns. Proposed permit changes aim to reduce emissions, but critics argue they don't fully address health impacts or cumulative pollution. If approved, new rules take effect next January.

In 2023, Texas legislators ignored proposals to enhance energy efficiency and curb greenhouse gas emissions while promoting laws that hinder local climate actions and favor fossil fuels. Despite some successes in water management and penalties for pollution, significant environmental justice proposals failed to advance.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is determined to buy Fairfield Lake State Park’s 5,000-acre property, previously leased for decades, from its current owner, Todd Interests, who plans private development. Despite previous missed opportunities, the state remains committed to preserving and expanding the park for future generations.