Energy

Democratic Railroad Commission candidate Jon Rosenthal says Texas needs stronger oversight of natural gas facilities to prevent power disruptions during extreme winter weather. High diesel prices are affecting hay farmers – and the beef producers who buy from them. Harvest Public Media’s Michael Marks reports some of the usual customers are forgoing hay at the moment because they can’t afford to have it transported.

Last month, Lubbock City Council began the procedure to adopt a pause on large-scale data center development. If the moratorium passes, it will be two years until another one can be put in place. With more information and potential changes likely to come out of the state’s legislative session, one councilman has argued that the city should hold off on playing its moratorium card. All the while, the clock may be ticking on the statewide pause on data centers.

Lawmakers recently learned of the slow progress made by the companies, which have four months to come under compliance with the law prompted by the 2024 Panhandle wildfires.

On the campaign trail, the governor said dismantling city-owned utilities will save customers money by introducing competition.

Data center development has picked up in the Austin area, and residents have voiced concerns about water and energy resources related to the construction. But experts say they can use those concerns to get the companies to build more sustainably.

Texas laws taking effect Sept. 1 will change how consumers repair electronic devices, strengthen oversight of residential solar sales and allow certain forms of gold and silver to be used as legal tender.

As more and more data center developers submit proposals to build in Texas, questions about how they will impact Texas' grid and contribute to drought conditions across the state are widespread.

New data centers won't be able to join the Texas power grid until state regulators complete a review of their energy and water usage, under a new directive from the governor.

A plan to build a network of 765 kV transmission lines to bolster the state's power grid has come under intense opposition from landowners in its path and others.

Despite efforts to boost domestic energy production, Mexico will continue to depend on Texas for natural gas, experts said, undermining its stated goals of energy independence.