Water & Oceans

Teaming Up To Tap Into Texas Regulatory Capture

When reporters from Inside Climate News and The Texas Tribune teamed up on a multipart series about Texas environmental regulators, they found state agencies sidestepping science, the law and accountability. The beneficiaries? The oil and gas industry. Their prizewinning reporting was praised for its data analysis, and public records and field reporting. Read an Inside Story Q&A with Martha Pskowski of Inside Climate News.

SEJ Publication Types: 
Topics on the Beat: 
Visibility: 

Dwindling Colorado River Can’t Wait For States To Cut Water Use, Experts Say

"A group of experts says Western states urgently need to cut water use to avert a deepening crisis on the Colorado River. The river’s major reservoirs are less than one-third full, and another dry winter would push reservoirs toward critically low levels."

Source: LA Times, 09/15/2025

"Can Bipartisan Support in Congress Save NOAA From White House Cuts?"

"Both House and Senate lawmakers have advanced bills rejecting the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate climate research at the weather agency."

Source: Inside Climate News, 09/15/2025

"Wright ‘Admitted’ Stalling $30B Hanford Plant, Senator Says"

"Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Democratic Sen. Patty Murray that he’s looking to delay operations at a multibillion-dollar vitrification plant at the Hanford nuclear cleanup site in Washington state, despite public statements signaling otherwise, the senator said."

Source: E&E News, 09/12/2025

"Building Toward Disaster: Growth Collides With Rising Seas In Charleston"

"A billion-dollar seawall may shield the city’s wealthy core — but not the vulnerable communities beyond it. Who will be forced to move?"

Source: Floodlight, 09/12/2025

"Johnson Backs Virginia Wind Project In Break With Trump"

"House Speaker Mike Johnson is going to bat for an offshore wind project located off Virginia Beach at a time when the Trump administration has halted the construction of similar projects and the president himself has warned that support for the industry could cost politicians their careers."

Source: E&E News, 09/12/2025

"California’s First Solar-Covered Canal Is Now Fully Online"

"A novel solar power project just went online in California’s Central Valley, with panels that span across canals in the vast agricultural region." "The 1.6-MW pilot system is among a growing number of initiatives to put solar over waterways. The approach could generate gigawatts of power nationwide."

Source: Canary Media, 09/11/2025

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Water & Oceans