Energy & Environment

Leaders promised a lot of change after floodwaters tore through Kerr County in 2025, killing more than 100 people. A year later, where do things stand?

Texas has 32 proposed natural gas power plants tied to Al data centers, the report found — raising concerns about air pollution, water use and public health as the industry expands.

Over the last month, Governor Greg Abbott has announced more than $400 million in grants to energy providers outside the state’s ERCOT system as part of a new funding program to upgrade electrical infrastructure across the state. Our Brad Burt reports this includes $113 million for Xcel customers in the South Plains and Panhandle, where downed power lines have been linked to devastating wildfires. Meanwhile, Abbott's opposition to data centers continues to grow, a reversal of his invitation to data centers moving to Texas last year.

Repairs to vital infrastructure were abruptly put on hold with little explanation, impacting the park's most popular area.

Development of large-scale data centers is booming across the Midwest and South. As some communities push back, local and state governments are trying to catch up on how to regulate the new development.

Ag Commissioner Sid Miller has proposed a temporary moratorium on data center development.

The state has faced a backlog of large energy consumers who want to connect to the Texas power grid.

Facing limited options, oil industry turns to AI to handle wastewater from oil production. Producers discovered other uses to streamline the process.

Authorities in Sinton won't confirm or deny Corpus Christi's suggestion that the small town is hoarding its precious groundwater for data centers. Across Texas, a booming buildout of server farms is adding strain to water resources that are already stretched to their limit.

The cost of doing business in agriculture was already high before the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which spiked fertilizer and fuel prices. Now, making any money this season may require farmers to cut back on certain resources.