The Latest Breaking News from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Study finds toxic benzene emissions along the Texas Gulf Coast are among the highest in the nation

Researchers found that state policy and oil refineries’ failure to fix leaks contributed more to high benzene emissions than the size or capacity of the refineries.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 23

Texas’ Gulf Coast Has a Health Problem: Benzene Emissions Are Among the Highest in the Nation

At the worst-performing refineries, report finds operators are not tackling recurring and harmful leaks, leading to public health risk.

Capital & Main · Apr 22

Corpus Christi Cuts Timeline to Disaster as Abbott Issues Emergency Orders

The governor’s office said the city’s two main reservoirs could dry up by May, much sooner than previous timelines. But authorities still offer no plan for curtailment of water use.

Texas Observer · Mar 18

Oil companies want protection as Texas considers allowing treated fracking water released into rivers

As the state grapples with a threatened water supply, industry and lawmakers have invested millions in research to clean the toxic backwash for use in for agriculture.

The Texas Tribune · May 19, 2025

These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.

Most lawmakers — as well as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — want to invest big in water. Here are the proposals that would do it.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 17, 2025

Texas regulators grapple with a growing problem: old oil wells leaking polluted water

Two years after lawmakers created a $10 million program to address leaking wells in rural counties, none of the money has been distributed.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 4, 2025

Texas Uranium Mining Portends Nuclear Revival

State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide power to large industrial facilities. But South Texas locals worry that a uranium boom could affect their groundwater.

Texas Observer · Dec 5, 2024

Texas’ push to meet soaring power demand with nuclear energy could spark uranium mining revival

State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide consistent, low-carbon power to large industrial facilities. But in South Texas, locals worry what a uranium mining boom could mean for their groundwater.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 4, 2024

How Texas Diminished a Once-Rigorous Air Pollution Monitoring Team

Former employees say the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality weakened the unit in the years following the onset of the fracking boom. The operation never returned to what it was before.

Texas Observer · Oct 8, 2024

How Texas’ environmental agency weakened a once-rigorous air pollution monitoring team

Former employees say the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality gutted the unit soon after the fracking boom swept the state oil industry. The operation never returned to what it was before.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 7, 2024