"Texas Officials Target Climate Science In Textbooks"
"The Texas State Board of Education altered its internal guidance to schools last month to emphasize the “positive” aspects of fossil fuels in science textbooks."
Source: E&E News, 03/16/2023
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX)
Many Worry Companies Are Flouting New Mexico’s Landmark Gas Flaring Rules
"Last year, New Mexico adopted regulations that were viewed as a model for reducing methane emissions from the flaring and venting of natural gas. But on the ground, watchdogs say they don’t see much of a change in oil and gas companies’ practices."
Source: Inside Climate News, 03/13/2023
What Will It Take for Geothermal To Heat Up the Renewable Energy Sector?
Geothermal has long been hyped as the next big thing in renewable energy, but its breakthrough moment hasn’t happened yet. Barriers to expansion include the elusiveness of sites offering the magic trio of heat, water and permeability and concern for unique ecosystems. Contributor Jessica McKenzie on geothermal energy’s possibilities and challenges and the government funding that may finally fire it up.
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Will Thousands of Orphan Wells Be Safely Plugged?
Abandoned oil and gas wells are found in significant numbers in some 27 states. Reporters who want to track their status can dig into several databases, but will need to support their data crunching with lots of shoe-leather and ground-truth reporting. Reporter’s Toolbox has insights into what the databases offer. Plus, a primer on API numbers.
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Tijuana River Sewage May Be Contaminating Air Along S. Calif. Coast: Study
"Chronic coastal contamination from the Tijuana River can end up in the atmosphere as “sea spray aerosol” — spreading far beyond the San Diego County beaches where it has long polluted the water, a new study has found."
Source: The Hill, 03/03/2023
"Here's Why Arizona Says It Can Keep Growing Despite Historic Megadrought"
"Drive traffic-clogged Interstate 10 through Phoenix's West Valley suburbs and you'd hardly know the Southwest is as dry as it's been in 1,200 years. Water gulping data centers, large warehouses and distribution centers have sprouted in the barren desert. Housing development after housing development is slated for construction."
Source: NPR, 03/01/2023
"Border Plant Joins ESA List Despite Texas AG’s Objections"
"The Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday dismissed border-control concerns raised by the Texas attorney general and announced federal protections for the prostrate milkweed, along with a designated critical habitat of 661 acres for the plant."
Source: E&E News, 02/28/2023
"Here Comes The Haboob: Texas High Plains Getting Walloped By Dust Storms"
"High Plains residents are used to wind and dust, but an ongoing drought and recent tropical-storm-level winds have brought some epic dust storms."
Source: Texas Tribune, 02/27/2023
Covering Indigenous Communities — Tips for Non-Native Journalists
Non-Indigenous journalists may think they’re doing “marginalized” Indigenous communities a favor by covering them, but their coverage is too often extractive and riddled with racist tropes. Contributor Valerie Vande Panne offers insights and advice for avoiding these pitfalls. Seeking permission, listening, sharing and respecting are all critical tools for the job.
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"Deadly Arizona Crash, Leak Leaves Highway Stretch Blocked"
"There is no timetable for reopening part of the main southern Arizona highway southeast of downtown Tucson, officials said Wednesday afternoon, a day after a deadly desert crash caused a hazardous material leak and forced evacuations nearby."
Source: AP, 02/16/2023
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