https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-foxhall/The latest news by Emily Foxhall.enTue, 20 Jun 2023 11:35:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ercot-texas-grid-heat/Texans were asked to conserve energy from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday as temperatures climb over 100 degrees for much of the state.Emily FoxhallTue, 20 Jun 2023 11:35:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ercot-texas-grid-heat/People cool off at Barton Springs as temperatures rose to 105 degrees on July 13, 2022.People cool off at Barton Springs as temperatures rose to 105° on July 13, 2022.Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/13/texas-trap-neuter-release-bill-cats/Animal advocates are deeply divided over whether so-called TNR policies are a good idea. A bill signed by the governor last weekend gives them legal protection statewide.Emily Foxhall and Noah Alcala BachTue, 13 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/13/texas-trap-neuter-release-bill-cats/Volunteers in Tomball, north of Houston, feed an estimated 75 to 100 stray cats each day. A bill passed by lawmakers last month aims to protect trap-neuter-release programs in Texas.There are an estimated 75-100 stray cats fed daily by volunteers at various locations in Tomball, on June 11, 2023.Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/07/texas-houston-illegal-dumping-settlement/Houston agreed to tackle illegal dumping to settle a federal civil rights case. Neighbors alleged the city failed to respond quickly enough to dumping complaints in primarily Black and Latino areas.Alejandra Martinez and Emily FoxhallWed, 07 Jun 2023 21:43:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/07/texas-houston-illegal-dumping-settlement/Trash piles up south of Houston Gardens Park in Northeast Houston. Trash regularly appears on the road right next to a “No Dumping Allowed” sign.Trash piles up at a spot south of the Houston Gardens Park where it is regularly dumped on the road right next to a “No Dumping Allowed” sign, on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Houston.Courtesy of The Houston Chronicle/Michael Wykehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/05/texas-bills-energy-natural-gas-fossil-fuel-renewables/The bills will give owners of natural gas power plants incentives to build more capacity, but they don’t go as far as originally proposed to change how electricity is created and sold in the Texas market.Emily FoxhallMon, 05 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/05/texas-bills-energy-natural-gas-fossil-fuel-renewables/House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state representatives on the House floor May 29 during sine die, the last day of the regular legislative session.House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state Representatives on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/texas-environment-climate-energy-bills-legislature/Proposals to improve energy efficiency failed. Bills that sought to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Texas were ignored, and legislation to block cities from taking action on climate change passed.Erin Douglas, Emily Foxhall and Alejandra MartinezFri, 02 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/texas-environment-climate-energy-bills-legislature/Wind turbines in Lyford near the Texas-Mexico border.Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford on May 17, 2023.Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-gulf-hurricanes-2023/One to four of those storms could be Category 3 or higher, meaning they will have wind speeds of at least 111 miles per hour.Emily FoxhallThu, 25 May 2023 14:51:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-gulf-hurricanes-2023/After Hurricane Harvey, Houston residents survey their flooded neighborhood near Buffalo Bayou and the Barker Reservoir dam on Aug. 29, 2017.Residents survey their flooded neighborhood near Buffalo Bayou and the Barker Reservoir dam Tuesday Aug, 29, 2017 in Houston, after Hurricane Harvey.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-energy-renewables-natural-gas-grid-politics/State lawmakers have pushed bills to support fossil fuel-burning power plants and restrict renewable energy development this legislative session.Emily Foxhall, Kai Elwood-Dieu and Zach DespartThu, 25 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-energy-renewables-natural-gas-grid-politics/Wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Willacy County in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.Lyford, TX - May 17, 2023: Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford, TX. (Photo by Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune)Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/22/texas-electricity-power-plants-performance-credits-bill/Senate Bill 7 would limit how much electricity customers could end up paying if the state opts to use performance credits, which would give the money to power generators in hopes they’ll add more power to the state grid.Emily FoxhallMon, 22 May 2023 18:33:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/22/texas-electricity-power-plants-performance-credits-bill/The Texas House voted Monday to approve Senate Bill 7, which would put caps on a new financial mechanism known as performance credits, which Texas would use to encourage more power generation in the state.A power plant in San Antonio on Aug. 4, 2021.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/17/texas-electricity-market-bill-natural-gas-renewables/The bill marks the Legislature’s turn toward supporting natural gas-fueled electricity after the deadly winter storm in 2021.Emily Foxhall and Erin DouglasWed, 17 May 2023 13:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/17/texas-electricity-market-bill-natural-gas-renewables/A power substation in East Austin during an ice storm in February 2022. Texas lawmakers are weighing bills to boost natural gas-fired power generation in the state.A power substation in East Austin during an ice storm on Feb. 3, 2022.John Jordan/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-puc-power-grid-renewables-performance-credits/Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake said renewable energy could be critical to preventing power outages this summer. Renewable energy supporters said the grid’s reliability doesn’t hinge on wind and solar.Emily FoxhallWed, 03 May 2023 19:03:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-puc-power-grid-renewables-performance-credits/Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant. The head of the state Public Utility Commission said Wednesday that Texas needs more on-demand power sources such as gas-fired power plants to make the state’s main grid more reliable during peak demand.Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/texas-renewable-energy-solar-wind-local-opposition/In Franklin County, a group of locals are concerned about potential environmental harm from renewable energy facilities and support a bill that would impose more regulations on solar and wind. The industry says it’s being unfairly singled out.Emily FoxhallWed, 19 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/texas-renewable-energy-solar-wind-local-opposition/Solar panels in Cunningham. In nearby Franklin County, locals are concerned about potential environmental harm from renewable energy facilities.Solar panels near Cunningham on April 10, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/texas-power-natural-gas-cost-senate-bill-6/The plants would be activated during emergencies. Lawmakers haven’t decided whether to pay for them through state funds or higher charges to electricity customers.Emily FoxhallThu, 13 Apr 2023 13:22:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/texas-power-natural-gas-cost-senate-bill-6/A natural gas power plant next to the Guadalupe River in Victoria. The Texas Senate's plan to spur construction of more gas-fired power plants across the state for emergencies will cost about $7 billion more than initial estimates, according to a presentation by the Lower Colorado River Authority.A natural gas powered electricity generating station next to the Guadalupe River in Victoria, TX on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/05/texas-senate-grid-natural-gas-energy-legislature/Critics say the bills could lead to untold billions in added costs to customers and minimal benefits while ignoring needed efforts to reduce electricity demand.Emily FoxhallWed, 05 Apr 2023 17:21:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/05/texas-senate-grid-natural-gas-energy-legislature/Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-electric-vehicle-charging-bills/Two bills would form the foundation for companies to build more electric vehicle charging stations across the state, supporters say.Emily FoxhallMon, 03 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-electric-vehicle-charging-bills/A Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck charges at a Phillips 66 electric fueling station in Houston on Friday.Phillips 66 Electric Fueling Station charges a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck in Houston, on Friday, March 31, 2023.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/17/puc-appeals-court-uri-prices/The actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found. It’s not yet clear if the ruling will affect consumers.Erin Douglas and Emily FoxhallFri, 17 Mar 2023 13:24:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/17/puc-appeals-court-uri-prices/Congress Avenue in Austin during Winter Storm Uri on Feb. 16, 2021.Looking south on a snow-covered Congress Ave. in Austin on Feb. 16, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/15/texas-supplemental-budget-2021-storm/The allocation is part of a plan to add $12 billion to the current budget. It hasn’t been approved yet by the House.Emily FoxhallWed, 15 Mar 2023 13:32:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/15/texas-supplemental-budget-2021-storm/Marfa is covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.Marfa is covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. The temperature dropped to 7 degrees on Friday morning.Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/13/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park/State officials plan to offer free day access to the property as they consider how to acquire the land before its sale.Emily FoxhallMon, 13 Mar 2023 11:37:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/13/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park/State park police officer Kyle Ware points at a map of Fairfield Lake State Park on Feb. 27.State Park Police Officer Kyle Ware points at a map of Fairfield Lake State Park in Fairfield on Feb. 27, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/09/texas-power-grid-senate-bills/The bills would allow the state to hire companies to build emergency gas-fueled power plants, among other ideas for swinging the state’s power balance away from wind and solar.Emily FoxhallThu, 09 Mar 2023 17:05:42 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/09/texas-power-grid-senate-bills/A Texas State University student walks down the stairs to his dorm room on campus during the February 2021 winter storm that left millions of Texans without power or heat for days.Nicholas Ware, a freshman computer science major at Texas State University, walks down the stairs to his dorm room on campus, which has been without consistent power for days. Feb. 17, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/01/texas-power-market-public-utility-commission-electricity-credits/The idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans.Emily Foxhall and Alex FordWed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/01/texas-power-market-public-utility-commission-electricity-credits/El Paso Electric's natural gas-powered Newman Generating Station in El Paso. The state's Public Utility Commission is proposing changes to the state's electricity market that aim to give companies a financial incentive to build more gas-fired plants or extend the lives of current plants.El Paso Electric's natural gas-powered Newman Generating Station in El Paso on Feb. 17, 2021.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/28/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park-closed/For decades the park has sat on leased land that the owner recently decided to sell. As the staff closed the gates Monday night for the last time, visitors and staff held out hope that the state could find a way to save the park.Emily FoxhallTue, 28 Feb 2023 15:45:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/28/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park-closed/Gavin Navarro, 7, pushes his brother Jonah, 8, on swings at Fairfield Lake State Park on Monday, the last day the park was open to the public.Gavin Navarro, 7, pushes his brother Jonah, 8, on swings at Fairfield Lake State Park on Feb. 27, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune