Environment

No state agency is taking responsibility for making sure the privately built lines that power many oil and gas sites are safe. Such lines have been blamed for sparking two recent Panhandle fires.

After a person was seriously injured in a shooting at a Lubbock game room Wednesday morning, a call for tighter regulations on the venues has resurfaced. And Congressman Jodey Arrington introduced an amendment that would defund plans to expand conservation efforts in the United States, including protections for up to 700,000 acres at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.

The number of outages due to Beryl is more than double the 900,000-plus who lost power in May when a derecho unexpectedly hit the area. The company said it would first need to complete a damage assessment before it could publicly release a timeline for restoring power.

The lost water costs the cities millions and heightens the state’s water supply challenges.

Two wildfires near the village of Ruidoso in the Lincoln National Forest are growing. The entire Village of Ruidoso and multiple surrounding communities are under evacuation orders.

Texas Public Radio’s Pablo De La Rosa has more on a letter from U.S. legislators last week urging funds to Mexico be withheld until the country releases the water it owes to the Rio Grande Watershed as part of a treaty. Also last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the dunes sagebrush lizard will be designated as an endangered species, with the oil and gas industry being one of the main threats to its survival.

According to the committee's summary report, submitted Wednesday, the largest and most destructive fires were caused by power lines and other electrical equipment in disrepair because “irresponsible” oil and gas operators and utility providers were not held accountable.

For the most part, trees are not native to the High Plains, but Lubbock Memorial Arboretum aims to give West Texans a way to enjoy nature and teach them about growing in a place that presents such unique challenges.

Light pollution reduces the visibility of stars creating navigation issues for birds passing through. But it's not only a navigation issue.

Last Monday’s eclipse marked the end of International Dark Sky Week. Our reporter Olivia O’Rand reports how its bringing awareness to the impact of light pollution in West Texas.