texas
Newsletter
Credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel/Unsplash
Texas sees growing interest in rooftop solar after Hurricane Beryl
A recent surge in rooftop solar adoption in Texas is likely to continue following Hurricane Beryl, as grid instability drives more residents to seek energy independence.
In short:
- Texas ranks third in small-scale solar generation but 20th on a per-capita basis, indicating significant growth potential.
- The Biden administration's Solar for All program is funding rooftop solar projects for low- and moderate-income households in Houston.
- Rising utility costs and grid reliability concerns are key drivers of increased interest in solar energy.
Key quote:
"I think the public is ready to embrace a paradigm shift in how we manage power distribution in Houston."
— Rafael Lemaitre, spokesman for Power Up Harris County
Why this matters:
Adopting rooftop solar can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve grid resilience. It offers a sustainable solution to rising utility costs and power outages.
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Credit: Yuri2011/Big Stock Photo
Texans endure power outages and extreme heat after Hurricane Beryl
More than a million Texans remain without power days after Hurricane Beryl, grappling with debris, heat, and inadequate resources.
Jaden Edison, Jess Huff, Pooja Salhotra, and Kayla Guo report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage, leaving 1.3 million Texans without power, with full restoration expected to take days or weeks.
- Cooling centers and supply stations have been set up to assist residents coping with the extreme heat and lack of electricity.
- Officials face scrutiny over preparedness and response, as residents demand accountability from utility companies.
Key quote:
"It looks like Vietnam after a bomb raid."
— Rod “Doc” Pierce, Sargent resident
Why this matters:
Hurricane Beryl's aftermath highlights the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, stressing the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
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Hurricane Beryl leaves millions of Texans without power amid soaring heat
Millions of Texans face a third day without power as Hurricane Beryl's aftermath coincides with dangerously high temperatures.
Pooja Salhotra, Emily Foxhall, and Alejandra Martinez report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Nearly 3 million Texans lost power due to Hurricane Beryl, with restoration efforts expected to take several days.
- The heat index is projected to exceed 100 degrees in some areas, exacerbating health risks for those without air conditioning.
- Officials emphasize the urgency of restoring power but face criticism over preparedness and response efforts.
Key quote:
“The power system is a life-saving critical infrastructure — it’s the difference between life and death. The era of nobody could have foreseen these conditions is over.”
— Costa Samaras, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University
Why this matters:
The combination of extreme heat and prolonged power outages poses severe health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. During these intense heatwaves, air conditioning becomes not just a comfort but a necessity for survival. Yet, power outages strip away this vital lifeline, leaving people to endure sweltering conditions with little relief. Without cooling centers or sufficient emergency measures in place, the risks of heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses skyrocket.
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Rising sea levels make Texas Gulf Coast prone to frequent flooding
The Texas Gulf Coast faces increasing flooding due to rising sea levels and land subsidence, averaging 10.7 flood days a year compared to the national average of 6.8.
In short:
- The Texas Gulf Coast experiences more frequent flooding than other U.S. coastal regions, with an average of 10.7 flood days per year.
- Land subsidence and global sea level rise are primary contributors, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions and natural resource extraction.
- Projections indicate significant future impacts, with up to six feet of sea level rise by 2100 potentially submerging many coastal areas.
Key quote:
“Over the last 30 years the rates of sea level rise along the Gulf Coast have been the highest in the nation, and it’s only going to accelerate. Beyond 2050 we’re talking beyond the goal posts, with the potential for some really big numbers if emissions don’t abate.”
— William Sweet, oceanographer at NOAA
Why this matters:
Increased flooding threatens infrastructure, including sewage systems and roads, and could render many communities uninhabitable. Increased storm severity and frequency mean that evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and disaster response plans are under constant pressure. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and low-income families, face heightened risks, often lacking the resources to recover quickly from such events.
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Texas to boost energy fund to $10 billion to expand power grid
In response to rising electricity demands, Texas will double its state fund for power grid expansion from $5 billion to $10 billion.
In short:
- Texas plans to expand the Texas Energy Fund to $10 billion, offering low-interest loans to build new gas-fueled power plants.
- The state’s grid operator predicts electricity demand will nearly double by 2030, prompting an immediate policy review.
- The fund will also provide bonuses and grants for plant connection, modernization and weatherization.
Key quote:
"[The numbers in the new forecast] call for an immediate review of all policies concerning the grid."
— Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a press release.
Why this matters:
The state's commitment to bolstering its power grid is a critical step towards ensuring reliable electricity for millions of residents. Recent years have highlighted the vulnerabilities in Texas's energy infrastructure, most notably during the devastating winter storm in 2021 that left millions without power in freezing temperatures. The expanded funding aims to prevent such crises by enhancing grid resilience and capacity.
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Credit: Pixabay
Texas offers more coastal waters for carbon dioxide storage
Texas is opening over a million acres of offshore waters for companies to inject greenhouse gases underground to mitigate climate change.
In short:
- Texas issued its largest request for proposals to inject greenhouse gases underground to mitigate climate change yet, targeting Lavaca Bay, Matagorda Bay and other coastal areas.
- ,Backed by federal funding and with support from the oil and gas sector, carbon sequestration is expanding, despite concerns over long-term feasibility and cost.
- The Texas Railroad Commission seeks authority to regulate these wells, but environmental groups and lawmakers urge caution.
Key quote:
“We are really now on the cusp of moving away from institutional research and more towards broad commercial deployment.”
— Charles McConnell, director of the Center for Carbon Management in Energy at the University of Houston.
Why this matters:
Reducing atmospheric CO2 through sequestration could have immediate benefits. Lower CO2 levels can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, heatwaves and poor air quality, all of which have direct impacts on human health. However, a continued dependence on fossil fuels, facilitated by carbon sequestration, could maintain high levels of other pollutants that pose serious health risks, including particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
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Supreme Court blocks Rio Grande water deal between Texas and New Mexico
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government must be involved in any water agreements between Texas and New Mexico concerning the Rio Grande.
Alejandra Martinez and Berenice Garcia report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision mandates federal involvement in water management agreements between states.
- Texas and New Mexico's recent agreement excluded federal input, leading to the ruling.
- The decision affects water distribution from the Rio Grande, impacting international treaties and regional drought management.
Key quote:
"We cannot now allow Texas and New Mexico to leave the United States up the river without a paddle."
— Majority opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court
Why this matters:
The ruling underscores the complexity of water management in drought-prone regions and highlights the federal government's role in resolving interstate water disputes. The decision could influence future negotiations and water policies amid increasing water scarcity.
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