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Tracking the players in the ever-growing energy and environmental world.

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December 8, 2011

Fracking Contaminated Water Supply, EPA Says

A hydraulic fracturing rig in the Barnett Shale.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft findings of its investigation of contaminated water in Pavillion, Wyoming today. The agency investigated allegations against a drilling company, Encana, which uses a process called hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” (where a mixture of water, chemicals and sand is pressure-blasted deep underground to create fissures that release oil and […]

December 1, 2011

Update on the San Antonio Refinery Fire

A fire yesterday at a refinery in San Antonio was a result of vaporizing kerosene, according to owners of the plant. The company says that a contractor was installing drain tubing and dislodged a valve, “which allowed a small quantity of kerosene to spray.” That kerosene vaporized and caught fire. “The fire was completely contained […]

Enron, Ten Years Later

This week marks the tenth anniversary of Enron’s collapse. The Houston energy company took down thousands of jobs, billions of dollars, and a good chunk of the stock market with it. But as Andrew Schneider reports for StateImpact Texas radio partner KUHF this week, Enron did a lot of good before things went bad. “It […]

Will the Lights Stay On in Texas?

Two new reports were released today by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the state’s power grid. The reports look at both the upcoming winter in Texas as well as a ten-year outlook and what sort of risks are in store for the energy grid. In both cases, the outlook is not good. This […]

November 30, 2011

Explosion and Fire Reported at San Antonio Refinery

View Larger Map An explosion occurred at a refinery in San Antonio earlier today, according to the city’s fire department and news reports. Firefighters battled a fire that began after an explosion this afternoon at the AGE Refinery. Local news station WOAI reports that “the San Antonio Fire Department has confirmed a type of diesel jet fuel […]

Are We One Step Closer to Energy Independence?

A milestone has been crossed in the production of energy in the country, according to a report today in the Wall Street Journal. Because of increased oil and gas drilling and production, the U.S. could end up exporting more fuels this year than it imported.

November 29, 2011

By the Numbers: Drilling in Texas

Are you curious how many new wells went into the ground over the last year in Texas? How much oil and gas was taken out of it? New numbers from the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees drilling in the state, were released today: More Permits, More Wells. The commission approved 1,771 drilling permits last […]

November 28, 2011

Cyber Monday Deals: Enron 10th Anniversary Edition

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the Enron collapse. StateImpact Texas’ local radio partner KUHF is reporting a four-part series on the aftermath, and the Houston Chronicle is taking a look back as well. But for your own little piece of Enron history, you can head to eBay. The Chronicle’s Dan McGraw found some […]

How Abundant Natural Gas Spells Trouble for Renewables

A few years ago, when US natural gas production was kicking into high gear, gas promoters like T. Boone Pickens sold it as something close to a panacea. It was a plentiful source of energy that could create jobs at home. It could wean the US off of foreign oil. Perhaps most importantly, it was […]

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