News
April 15, 2020
Texas Officials Were Warned Six Years Ago to Prepare for a Pandemic. They Didn’t.
And they've been dangerously slow to respond to the coronavirus.
Energy
Reporting and commentary on the Texas energy industry and innovations shaping its future
Energy
March 18, 2020
The Most Unexpected Revelation From RuPaul’s Recent NPR Interview? He Might Be Fracking
One energy company allegedly working with the drag star is based in Texas.
Politics & Policy
March 18, 2020
Is Climate Change Denial Thawing in Texas?
Surprising statements by oil industry leaders have grabbed headlines. But the bigger change is underway more quietly, among young Republicans.
Politics & Policy
March 17, 2020
How Will the Oil Bust and the Coronavirus Affect the Texas Budget?
Historically, the Lege has met shortfalls with tax increases or spending cuts. Whether Dems or the GOP are in power makes all the difference.
Energy
March 10, 2020
Houston Is Not Prepared for the Oil Bust
Get those $400 fajitas while you can, because Houston's boom is over.
Boomtown
February 18, 2020
Boomtown, Episode 11: The Last Frontier
Record-breaking oil production in the Permian Basin has brought the boom to the Big Bend’s doorstep for the first time. Is it too late to save this pristine landscape?
Boomtown
February 11, 2020
Boomtown, Episode 10: The Mitchell Paradox
No oil and gas baron since John D. Rockefeller has made more of an impact on society than George P. Mitchell. But this son of poor Greek immigrants who died a billionaire wanted to leave a legacy beyond oil and gas.
Boomtown
February 4, 2020
Boomtown, Episode 9: A Dark Horizon
Christian talks with renowned business writer Bethany McLean about how the finances of fracking aren't what they're cracked up to be.
Boomtown
January 28, 2020
Boomtown, Episode 8: Wild West Texas
The uneasy alliance between ranchers and the oil industry goes all the way back to the early wildcatting days in West Texas. But today, that relationship is more fraught than ever.
Boomtown
January 14, 2020
Boomtown, Episode 6: A Thin Line
During booms, the Permian Basin sees a rise in prostitution charges. But misperceptions and stereotypes about sex work have led to policies that may actually harm the women involved.
Boomtown
January 7, 2020
Boomtown, Episode 5: Boobtown
We explore a different kind of boom in the Permian Basin. Meet the women working at a lingerie coffee shop, a “breastaurant,” and two area strip clubs.
Boomtown
December 31, 2019
Boomtown, Episode 4: Life and Death on the Rig
Working in the oil patch is incredibly dangerous. But March 10, 2015, brought unimaginable tragedy for one Andrews family.
Boomtown
December 24, 2019
Boomtown, Episode 3: Dust to Dust
A devastating bust transforms the Permian from the promised land into a wasteland.
Boomtown
December 17, 2019
Boomtown, Episode 2: The Rise of the Permian
The Santa Rita oil well, named after the patron saint of impossible dreams, launched the first Permian Basin boom and has been fueling the dreams of West Texas wildcatters ever since.
Boomtown
December 10, 2019
Listen to the First Episode of Boomtown: “Highway to Hell”
In the first episode of our new podcast series, host Christian Wallace takes us back to his hometown in the Permian Basin, which is nearly unrecognizable to him today. We meet a few of the people whose lives have been upended by the biggest oil boom in U.S. history.
Energy
December 3, 2019
Boomtown
A 10-part podcast series from Texas Monthly and Imperative Entertainment.
Energy
December 3, 2019
Announcing ‘Boomtown,’ a New Podcast on the Greatest Oil Boom in History
Our new 11-part series takes you inside the rugged Permian Basin of West Texas, where roughnecks and billionaire wildcatters are fueling a boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics.
Energy
October 16, 2019
How One Desperate Energy Executive Launched the Fracking Revolution
When his Houston-based company was on the ropes, George Mitchell pushed his engineers to resuscitate a declining North Texas gas field. The solution they came up with transformed the world.
The National Podcast of Texas
July 29, 2019
Russell Gold: “Texas Has Become an Incredible Leader in Renewable Energy”
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the author of ’Superpower’ outlines the state’s pioneering role in America’s transition toward fossil fuels alternatives.
Books
June 26, 2019
What Happens When a Houston Energy Guru Messes With the Power Grid?
‘Wall Street Journal’ reporter Russell Gold’s new book, ‘Superpower,’ crafts an engaging narrative of one man’s quest to modernize the American energy business.
Energy
May 29, 2019
The Permian Basin Is Booming With Oil. But at What Cost to West Texans?
Though some will reap serious profits, the region’s dealing with skyrocketing rents, overcrowded schools, and potholes as big as VW Beetles.
Energy
May 6, 2019
A New Pipeline Through the Hill Country Is Pitting the Oil Industry Against Landowners
The state’s biggest industry finds itself in an unusual position: facing landowner-friendly reforms at the Texas Legislature.
Energy
January 3, 2019
How West Texas Became Woodstock for Frackers
Welcome to the Permian Basin, home of the hottest oil play in the world.
Energy
September 15, 2018
Tackling the Financial Reality of ‘Saudi America’
In her new book, Bethany McLean explores the unstable financial future of fracking.
Energy
August 6, 2018
Electric Deregulation Is Working in Texas, Says Lawmaker Who Led the Effort
During a summer with record heat and record power usage, supply is keeping up with demand.
Energy
June 8, 2018
Rick Perry Hands Texas A&M Lucrative Los Alamos Contract
The current head of the Department of Energy gave his alma mater a $2.5 billion gig, and they beat out rival UT’s bid.
Energy
May 9, 2018
Katie Mehnert: Foster Industry Communities to Promote Women
"We need more women to tackle the energy transition and tackle the biggest challenges we face: climate change, energy poverty, and good infrastructure."
Energy
May 9, 2018
Nicki Turnbow: Be Tough and Do Your Job Well
"As a woman, you can’t put yourself in a bad position. One day, a foreman asked me to ride down with him to where they were drilling a deep gas well, about 45 miles away. I didn’t any more want to go than a man in the moon, and I
Energy
March 7, 2018
Rick Perry Delivers the Gospel of ‘Energy Realism’
The energy secretary outlined the Trump administration’s new direction at an oil and gas conference in Houston.
Energy
January 26, 2018
What Trump’s Solar Tariffs Mean For Texas
Some observers fear the tariffs could slow the industry's rapid growth.
Energy
December 30, 2017
The New Yorker’s Lawrence Wright on Texas Oil
We recommend this gripping piece on the boom-and-bust cycle for your weekend longread.
Energy
December 23, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Exxon to Disclose Risks from Climate Change
Plus: power reserves dip from coal plants shuttering and Austin commands the cheapest solar.
Energy
December 22, 2017
Failure to Prep for Climate Change Could Hurt Texas’s Credit Rating
States and cities that do not create adequate "adaptation and mitigation strategies" may face tarnished credit ratings, Moody's warns.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Odessa Stinks! (Literally.)
In recent months the West Texas oil town has smelled, in one resident’s words, like ”a dog’s anal gland.” And no one is 100 percent sure why.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Odessa Stinks! (Literally.)
In recent months the West Texas oil town has smelled, in one resident’s words, like “a dog’s anal gland.” And no one is 100 percent sure why.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Gas Prices Are at Their Lowest Since Harvey
Just in time for Christmas.
Energy
December 16, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Houston Pushes Aside Cushing in Oil Trading Ranking
Plus: Texas installs quite a few solar panels, CenterPoint Energy has a gas outage in Northeast Texas, and pipeline companies worry about their tax break.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Energy Transfer Partners Files Lawsuit Against Greenpeace
The Dallas-based company, which owns a major stake in the Dakota Access pipeline, is seeking $1 billion in damages.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Texas Mayors Pledge to Fight Climate Change
Part of the Climate Mayors organization, the leaders are striving to meet goals stated in the Paris Agreement.
Energy
December 14, 2017
West Texas Property Sales Don’t Always Include the Wind Rights
As wind energy takes a central role in the Texas grid, ”wind rights” are the new mineral rights.
Energy
December 9, 2017
How the Tax Bills Could Affect Energy Companies
Oil and gas companies get a pass-through provision from Cornyn; wind energy companies may have a harder road ahead.
Energy
December 8, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Politicians Push Trump to Reduce Ethanol Mandate
Rick Perry returns from Saudi Arabia, Sen. Cornyn slips a little something nice for big oil into the tax bill, and Exxon opens its first gas stations in Mexico.
Energy
December 8, 2017
Transportation Overtakes Electricity As Top Polluting Sector
Transportation edged out electricity as the biggest source of carbon emissions last year in the United States.
Energy
December 8, 2017
Why Offshore Oil Workers Should Reflect on December 10
The date is the anniversary of an important court ruling for oil industry employees.
Energy
December 2, 2017
Wind Power Capacity Has Surpassed Coal in Texas
Scientists at UT predict that by 2019, the state will get more energy from wind than coal.
Energy
December 1, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Strongest Evidence Yet Links Wastewater Injection to Texas Quakes
Plus: Wind power soars past coal in Texas, T. Boone Pickens puts his giant ranch up for sale, and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson is on his last legs as Secretary of State.
Energy
November 30, 2017
A New Study Offers Further Proof That North Texas Earthquakes Are Drilling- and Fracking-Related
The fault lines had been inactive for 300 million years before fracking started.
Energy
November 28, 2017
Coal Belt to Sun Belt?
Texas has a golden opportunity for clean energy: reusing coal-mining land for utility-scale solar.
Energy
November 22, 2017
So Much Natural Gas—But Where to Put It?
There are not enough pipelines to take away the natural gas being produced in the Permian Basin.
Energy
November 22, 2017
Debating the Permian Basin
Experts discuss Permania and the oil field’s future at the University of Houston.