TELECOM AND BROADBAND NEWS
MyParisTexas.com: Why lawmakers are concerned about where billions in broadband funding is going
July 28 —When Texas was awarded more than $3 billion to expand broadband services to every corner of the Lone Star state, broadband advocates celebrated.
https://myparistexas.com/why-lawmakers-are-concerned-about-where-billions-in-broadband-funding-is-going/
Fierce Network: Congress suddenly cares about broadband maps
July 30 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its contract partner CostQuest have been agonizing over the U.S. broadband map for more than five years. They really doubled-down on the effort to create an accurate nationwide map when the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program started.
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/congress-suddenly-cares-about-broadband-maps
National Conference of State Legislatures: BEAD Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet to All Americans by 2030
July 29 — The federal broadband program is providing grants to states and territories to build the infrastructure needed to reach that goal.
https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/bead-aims-to-bring-high-speed-internet-to-all-americans-by-2030
Texas Tribune: Why lawmakers are concerned about where billions in broadband funding is going
July 28 — Texas lawmakers accuse the state broadband office of favoritism and sweetheart deals after satellite internet providers received most of the funding.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/28/texas-broadband-funding-favoritism/
Benton Institute: (Commentary) SpaceX Wants to Handle the World’s Broadban
July 27 — In a recent request filed with the FCC, Starlink asked to increase the size of its broadband satellite fleet to 100,000. This coincided with the FCC’s announcement that it wants to ease the process for approving new satellites, so I have to think the idea will sail through.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/spacex-wants-handle-world%E2%80%99s-broadband
Benton Institute: GAO Gives NTIA Good Marks on BEAD Fraud Controls Without Testing Them
July 27 — On July 23, 2026, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)—the legislative branch’s audit and investigative agency—released Combating Fraud: Managing Risks in Federally Funded, State-Administered Programs (GAO-26-109100). The report examines 20 of the largest federal programs funded by the federal government but run by the states.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/gao-gives-ntia-good-marks-bead-fraud-controls-without-testing-them
ARS Technica: Trump admin exempts SpaceX’s Starlink from FCC ban on foreign-made routers
July 27 — SpaceX has a factory in Texas, and some of its routers have the words “Made in the USA” printed on them, leading some to believe that it might be the only major router maker to escape the FCC’s wide-ranging ban. But other Starlink routers are made in Vietnam, as PCMag reported in April.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/starlink-gets-exemption-from-fcc-ban-on-routers-made-outside-the-us/
News4SA: SpaceX launches Starship V3, deploys most advanced Starlink satellites
July 25 — SpaceX launched its massive Starship mega-rocket on a crucial test flight Friday night, successfully deploying a batch of advanced satellites before completing a controlled ocean splashdown halfway across the globe.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/spacex-launches-starship-v3-deploys-most-advanced-starlink-satellites-texas-rocket-space-splashdown-mexico-bertha-nasa-artemis-booster
Reuters: SpaceX launches 13th Starship test, briefly deploys first upgraded Starlinks
July 24 — The roughly 400-foot-tall (122-metre-tall) Starship rocket system blasted off around 6:50 p.m. ET from SpaceX’s Starbase company town in Texas.
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/spacexs-starship-rocket-lifts-off-texas-13th-test-flight-2026-07-24/
Broadband Breakfast: Texas Broadband Office Pushes Back Against SpaceX Favoritism Accusations
July 23 — As the Texas Broadband Office faces accusations of SpaceX favoritism, the office is pushing back against these claims, saying it has been hit by misinformation.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/texas-broadband-office-pushes-back-against-spacex-favoritism-accusations/
KVUE: State leaders call for audit of Texas Broadband Development Office program
July 23 — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows are calling for an audit of a grant program.
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/politics/texas-legislature/audit-texas-broadband-development-office-program/269-1f564808-99fc-4188-b1bb-2b6db8e23e9e
ELECTRIC UTILITY AND ERCOT NEWS
Spectrum News: Meta opens AI-optimized data center in Temple
July 30 — Hundreds of data centers are already operating in Texas with hundreds more proposed projects on the way. Meta has three data centers across the state: one in Fort Worth that broke ground more than 10 years ago, one in El Paso that broke ground last fall and is still under construction and one in Temple that is now operational.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/07/30/temple-data-center
Holland & Knight: Texas Data Center Tax Exemption Faces Serious Legislative Risk Ahead of 2027 Session
July 30 —The Texas Senate Finance Committee on July 27, 2026, held a hearing on the fiscal impact of the state’s data center sales and use tax exemption. The hearing made clear that the exemption, including its application to existing projects, will be a major target in the 2027 legislative session.
https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2026/07/texas-data-center-tax-exemption-faces-serious-legislative-risk
Utility Dive: Texas approves AI data center co-location next to wind farm, with curtailment caveats
July 30 — A final order in the case could offer a template for other large behind-the-meter loads, requiring rapid curtailment during grid emergencies while limiting participation in demand response programs.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-approves-ai-data-center-co-location-next-to-wind-farm-with-curtailme/826617/
Utility Dive: Under pressure, Entergy looks to mitigate cost of $1.8B Texas gas plant purchas
July 30 — Under pressure, Entergy looks to mitigate cost of $1.8B Texas gas plant purchase
“We know that Cottonwood isn’t the shiniest new plant out there,” Entergy CEO Drew Marsh told analysts. The deal is “increasingly in doubt,” one says.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/entergy-cottonwood-texas-gas-plant-meta/826565/
My High Plains: Texas lawmakers debate whether grid needs more gas generation as demand surges
July 29 — Last week was a test for Texas energy and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. It passed with flying colors.
https://www.myhighplains.com/news/texas-lawmakers-debate-whether-grid-needs-more-gas-generation-as-demand-surges/
Texas Tribune: ERCOT: Texas’ power grid meeting record demand now, but could falter when it doubles by 2032
July 29 — Solar and battery power generations have helped bolster ERCOT’s grid, but data center, population and economic growth is slated to surge demand.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/29/texas-ercot-power-grid-record-data-center/
Fox 7: Willie Nelson slams ‘water thieving’ data centers in Texas
July 29 — Texas country music legend Willie Nelson has taken to social media to voice his distaste for an AI data center being built near his hometown.
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/willie-nelson-slams-water-thieving-data-centers-texas
Texas Tribune: “A deal with the devil”: Religion motivates data center opponents in Texas
July 29 — Some see the AI facilities as a sign of the apocalypse, others see an opportunity to advocate for environmental stewardship.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/29/texas-data-centers-religion-opposition/
Texas Standard: Data centers are being built across Texas every day. Here’s what goes on inside one in Austin
July 29 — KUT News requested tours of several data centers in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Most companies either declined or did not respond. But the Texas Advanced Computing Center let us peek behind the curtain.
https://texasstandard.org/stories/austin-tx-data-centers-texas/
KTSM: City requests statewide data center ratepayer protections
July 29 — The City of El Paso has submitted formal comments to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requesting that ratepayer protections be applied statewide, including to communities served by utilities outside the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) electrical grid.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/city-requests-statewide-data-center-ratepayer-protections/amp/
CBS Austin: TX Senate committee holds hearing to discuss data center demand on ERCOT grid, actions
July 29 — Texas lawmakers are again weighing how to manage the growing power demand from data centers and other large electricity users as questions mount about the long-term reliability and cost to the ERCOT grid.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/tx-senate-committee-holds-hearing-to-discuss-data-center-demand-on-ercot-grid-actions
Texas Tribune: Energy agencies want more authority over Texas data centers
July 29 — The request comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Electric Reliability Council of Texas to further regulate data centers’ use of the power grid.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/29/texas-ercot-puct-power-grid-data-centers/
Texas Scorecard: Pro-Transmission Coalition Allies With Left-Wing Association To Push Controversial 765-kV Lines
July 29 — On Tuesday, TRII announced the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) had joined them in promoting the lines. TAMACC has a history of opposing efforts to stem illegal border crossings.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/pro-transmission-coalition-allies-with-left-wing-association-to-push-controversial-765-kv-lines/
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Ten gigawatts are parked in American driveways
July 29 — Joseph Vellone talks about the barrier to using parked EVs as grid capacity as a flaw in incentives, rather than hardware, and why the barrier is tougher in Texas.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/ten-gigawatts-are-parked-in-american
Natural Gas Intelligence: Wind Gaining Upper Hand in ERCOT Amid Near-Record Load
July 28 — Power demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region is approaching record levels again this week amid scorching heat, though rising wind generation is displacing natural gas so far.
https://www.naturalgasintel.com/news/wind-gaining-upper-hand-in-ercot-amid-near-record-load/
Texas Cool Down: Texas grid sets new all-time demand record in triple-digit heat, as data center needs loom
July 28— Texas reached a new electricity-use milestone during a stretch of triple-digit heat, with widespread air-conditioning demand driving consumption sharply upward.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-news/articles/texas-grid-sets-time-demand-125700529.html
The Texan: Gov. Abbott, Challenger Hinojosa Spotlight Data Centers in Gubernatorial Campaigns
July 28 – The bipartisan issue has come forward as a point of contention in the governor’s race.
https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/gov-abbott-challenger-hinojosa-spotlight-data-centers-in-gubernatorial-campaigns/article_64c51f5d-db12-41e9-92ff-29643cbd3e93.html
CenterPoint: CenterPoint says 14 GW likely eligible for Texas’ ‘Batch Zero’ large-load interconnection
July 28 — The utility expects 50% load growth by the end of 2029, largely driven by data centers navigating Texas’ new large-load interconnection process, company officials said Tuesday.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/centerpoint-energy-14-gw-texas-batch-zero-large-load-earnings/826329/
Utility Dive: CenterPoint says 14 GW likely eligible for Texas’ ‘Batch Zero’ large-load interconnection
July 28 — The utility expects 50% load growth by the end of 2029, largely driven by data centers navigating Texas’ new large-load interconnection process, company officials said Tuesday.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/centerpoint-energy-14-gw-texas-batch-zero-large-load-earnings/826329/
The Texan: Texas Senate Mulls End to 13-Year-Old Tax Break for Data Centers
July 28 — The data center development industry found aggressive critics in both Republicans and Democrats at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee.
https://thetexan.news/issues/texas-taxes-spending/texas-senate-mulls-end-to-13-year-old-tax-break-for-data-centers/article_aace41a9-0f3d-4975-a3c7-ec1fcbad0287.html
Texas Scorecard: Local Officials Question Oncor on Controversial 765-kV Line’s Impacts on Water
July 28 — As Texas struggles to increase water supply, questions arise about Oncor’s due diligence on the intersection of proposed transmission lines and water.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/local-officials-question-oncor-on-controversial-765-kv-lines-impacts-on-water/
Houston Public Media; Texas energy agencies respond to governor’s data center directive by requesting more authority from lawmakers
July 28 — ERCOT and the PUCT said they’ve already taken steps to regulate large energy consumers and called for the state legislature to expand their authority.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/07/28/558124/data-centers-texas-ercot-puc-authority-governor-abbott/
My San Antonio: Can a Texas HOA ban a nearby data center? What the law says
July 27 — Data centers are popping up everywhere in Texas — so many that one report claims the Lone Star State is on track to become the global industry leader by 2030.
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/can-hoas-ban-data-centers-in-texas-22355480.php
Fort Worth Report: Data centers require substantial water, energy. Sustainable practices, technology can lessen impact
July 27 — As interest in data centers continues to crop up in North Texas, so does concern among residents who are trying to understand just how much water and energy the data processing facilities use.
https://fortworthreport.org/2026/07/27/data-centers-require-substantial-water-energy-sustainable-practices-technology-can-lessen-impact/
Public Citizen: Public Citizen Comments to the Texas Senate Committee on Finance Opposing Tax Breaks for Data Centers
July 27 — Texas is already home to at least 334 data centers, with at least another 248 planned.4 More than 160 data centers take advantage of the state sales and use tax exemption.5 The exemption is applied to certain equipment purchased to build and operate a data center, as well as the energy used in the data center. Long term, for an individual facility, the energy tax break may prove to cost more, as data centers have a continuous demand for lots of energy.
https://www.citizen.org/article/public-citizen-comments-to-the-texas-senate-committee-on-finance-opposing-tax-breaks-for-data-centers/
NBC DFW: Groups against data centers ramp up pushback measures in Texas
July 27 — A coalition of more than a dozen groups will take steps to get Governor Greg Abbott, lawmakers’ attention for the next five days.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/week-of-action-groups-against-data-centers-pushback-texas/4054349/
Sierra Club: Texas Governor demands action on data centers – but what does that really mean?
July 27 — Texans from El Paso to San Marcos, Amarillo to the Dallas-Fort Worth area – and really, all across the state – have been flooding local meetings, social media, Capitol hearings, and every other available forum, demanding stronger restrictions and safeguards on the hundreds of proposed data centers coming to Texas. Many are even calling for moratoriums.
https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/blog/2026/07/texas-governor-demands-action-data-centers-what-does-really-mean
Data Center Knowledge: Texas Pushes AI Data Centers to Pay Their Own Grid Costs
July 27 — PUCT outlines new interconnection rules, cost reforms and planning changes following Gov. Abbott’s order to protect ratepayers and the ERCOT grid.
https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/regulations/texas-pushes-ai-data-centers-to-pay-their-own-grid-costs
KHOU: Can ERCOT handle this Texas heat? Why Houston isn’t affected by the federal order
July 27 — A federal emergency order is raising questions about power reliability during the heat wave—but it doesn’t apply to Houston.
https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/ercot-texas-heat-power-grid-federal-emergency-order/285-f9dd121a-caac-4fbb-bf68-3b40e3f9fbf1
Texas Tribune: Texas’ multibillion-dollar sales tax exemption for data centers is growing, while audits lag
July 27 — Out of 138 data centers that qualified for the tax break, only 20 have been audited so far. Six facilities were found to be out of compliance.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/27/texas-data-centers-sales-tax-break-audits/
NBC DFW: Texas data center tax breaks balloon to $3.3 billion
July 27 — Senators questioned whether the state is adequately monitoring 138 facilities receiving sales tax exemptions.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/texas-data-center-tax-breaks-balloon-to-3-3-billion/4054751/
KXAN: Texas lawmakers scrutinize $3.3 billion cost of data center tax incentives
July 27 — Texas lawmakers are taking a closer look at a pair of tax incentives for data centers that lawmakers say could cost the state $3.3 billion in forgone taxes during the 2028-29 budget cycle, raising questions about whether taxpayers are getting enough in return as artificial intelligence fuels explosive industry growth.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/texas-lawmakers-scrutinize-3-3-billion-cost-of-data-center-tax-incentives/
Texas Scorecard: Next Controversial Transmission Line Segment up for Public Utility Commissioners’ Decision
July 27 — Will governor-appointed commissioners heed outcries from landowners and lawmakers to slow down an extra-high-voltage transmission line project?
https://texasscorecard.com/state/next-controversial-transmission-line-segment-up-for-public-utility-commissioners-decision/
KXAN: How Texas protects you from data center costs
July 26 — he Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently provided details on the steps being taken to protect residential ratepayers from the costs of data center expansion.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/texas-protects-data-center-costs-163643127.html
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: New Demand Record
July 26 — How the grid survived record breaking demand; Three great podcasts; and what Dinosaur Valley State Park has to do with transmission lines.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/new-demand-record-reading-and-podcast?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share
Inside Climate News: Environmental Groups contest San Antonio data centers’ air pollution
July 26 — Three environmental groups sent two San Antonio data centers a notice of intent to sue for failing to secure permits as major air polluters.
https://www.sacurrent.com/author/ajani-stella/
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: (Commentary) Why are Texas leaders waiting until 2027 to act on data centers?
July 26 — New demand can deplete lakes and aquifers already strained by heat and drought. Counties should have the power to demand closed-loop cooling and to set noise setbacks.
https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/article316626883.html
Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/article316626883.html#storylink=cpyJ
KXAN: How Texas protects you from data center costs
July 26 — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently provided details on the steps being taken to protect residential ratepayers from the costs of data center expansion.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/how-texas-protects-you-from-data-center-costs/
The Cool Down: Texas regulators seek more authority over data centers, grid curtailments, and foreign threats
July 25 — As the state’s data center boom accelerates, the Public Utility Commission of Texas is seeking more authority to oversee how massive electricity users connect to the grid, respond during shortages, and avoid becoming a security risk.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/texas-regulators-seek-more-authority-140500061.html
USA Today: Sid Miller urges Greg Abbott to call special session on data centers
July 25 — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged Gov. Greg Abbott Friday, July 24, to convene a special legislative session to address Texans’ concerns about data centers, warning that continued inaction threatens Texas agriculture, rural communities and the state’s electric grid.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/texas/2026/07/25/sid-asks-abbott-for-special-session-as-data-centers-threaten-state-resources/91038511007/
Houston Business Journal: Texas takes new steps to keep data center costs off residents’ electric bills
July 25 — The Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT announced new steps to ensure data centers pay for the infrastructure they use.
https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2026/07/25/texas-new-steps-data-center-costs-residents-bills.html
KLTV: ERCOT sees record demand for electricity amid Texas heatwave
July 24 — That electricity is stepped up to high voltages to be moved across the state and delivered along a portion of more than 55,000 miles of transmission lines. Power is then routed to towers owned by local service providers, who physically deliver it to homes and businesses.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/07/24/ercot-sees-record-demand-electricity-amid-texas-heatwave/
KVUE: As bipartisan backlash grows, developer cancels planned data center project in East Texas
July 24 — On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the developer Diode withdrew its plan to build a facility near Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County because its plans didn’t meet community expectations or the governor’s directive.
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/bipartisan-backlash-grows-developer-cancels-planned-data-center-project-east-texas/269-bd09f112-de16-43bd-9415-6c30b3ad4db5
Texas Scorecard: Transmission Companies Push Forward Controversial 765-kV Lines
July 24 — The same week state senators have planned to hear testimony on the impact 765-kilovolt transmission lines will have on private landowners, a transmission company is moving forward with its proposed transmission line and is holding a public meeting in Wharton County.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/transmission-companies-push-forward-controversial-765-kv-lines/
NBC DFW: Texas rethinks data center boom as Senate weighs tax breaks
July 24 — he hearing comes as Texas regulators pursue new policies aimed at shifting more electric infrastructure costs from residential customers to large data centers.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/texas-data-center-tax-exemption-hearing/4053952/
Texas Scorecard: Regulators Begin Making Data Centers Pay Their Own Way After Abbott Directive
July 24 — In a new filing to Gov. Abbott, Texas regulators lay out rules to make massive data centers pay for their own grid upgrades and curb their impact on residential power bills.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/regulators-begin-making-data-centers-pay-their-own-way-after-abbott-directive/
Houston Public Media: Most Texans say they oppose local data centers as politicians shift their focus on regulating them
Jay 24 — Politicians on the ballot this November from both sides of the aisle have pressed for greater scrutiny on data centers in Texas. Recent polling shows most Texans oppose them in their communities.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/technology/2026/07/24/557888/data-center-poll-texas-politics/
KLTV: ERCOT sees record demand for electricity amid Texas heatwave
July 24 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known as ERCOT, reported demand peaked at approximately 91,308 megawatts Wednesday — the second consecutive record this week. The first came Tuesday, when demand reached about 87,000 megawatts, surpassing a record that had stood since August of 2023.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/07/24/ercot-sees-record-demand-electricity-amid-texas-heatwave/
Bloomberg Law: ERCOT Says Texas Grid Hit Power Demand Record of 91 GW Wednesday
July 23 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas set a new all-time power demand record of 91 gigawatts on Wednesday, according to emailed statement from the Texas grid operator.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/texas-brief/ercot-says-texas-grid-hit-power-demand-record-of-91-gw-wednesday
NRG: (Commentary) Key Texas Energy Trends to Watch in 2026
July 23 — Summer is here, and if your business is exposed to energy market risk, or your contract is coming up for renewal — you may be paying closer attention to energy prices than usual. But summer shouldn’t be the only time you think about your energy strategy.
https://www.nrg.com/insights/energy-education/key-texas-energy-trends-to-watch-in-2026.html
Broadband Breakfast: Democrats Seize on AI Data Center Backlash That’s Dividing Rural Republicans
July 23 — When Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, began her campaign last year, candidates weren’t talking about — or hearing about — data centers that power artificial intelligence.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/democrats-seize-on-ai-data-center-backlash-thats-dividing-rural-republicans/
GAS UTILITY and RAILROAD COMMISSION NEWS
KXAN: Gas leak led to some evacuations in Cedar Park
July 29 — Crews have completed the work to address a gas leak in Cedar Park that happened Wednesday morning.
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/cedar-park/evacuations-underway-after-gas-leak-discovered-in-cedar-park/
CBS News: North Texas lawmaker presses state for action after Dallas apartment explosion that killed three
July 29 — In a letter sent Wednesday to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez said more can be done to save lives and reduce harm when gas lines leak or are struck near housing.
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/oak-cliff-lawmaker-urges-state-review-apartment-explosion-policy-response/
Texas Tech Now: Petroleum Engineering, Railroad Commission Team Up to Train Inspectors
July 28 — The collaboration between the Texas Tech Department of Petroleum Engineering and the Railroad Commission provides hands-on experience for state inspectors.
https://www.ttu.edu/now/posts/2026/07/petroleum-engineering-railroad-commission-team-up-to-train-inspectors.php
Odessa American: RRC, Texas Tech build partnership to strengthen oil and gas inspector training
July 28 — As part of its ongoing effort to further strengthen staff expertise, the RRC has partnered with Texas Tech University’s Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering to launch the RRC Field Inspector Training program, a new initiative designed to enhance the professional development of the commission’s oil and gas inspectors.
https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/rrc-texas-tech-build-partnership-to-strengthen-oil-and-gas-inspector-training/
KTAB: Can Democratic Representative Jon Rosenthal flip the Texas Railroad Commission?
July 26 — Democratic State Representative Jon Rosenthal (HD-135) is seeking to become Texas’ next Railroad Commissioner, saying it’s time for someone with firsthand oil and gas experience to lead the agency and bring meaningful change.
https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/big-country-politics/big-country-politics-can-democratic-representative-jon-rosenthal-flip-the-texas-railroad-commission/
NBC DFW: Oak Cliff apartment complex suing Atmos over deadly Dallas gas explosion
July 24 — The lawsuit alleges “the explosion was caused when Atmos failed to properly mark its gas pipeline, which Atmos has known since at least 2004 was susceptible to brittle cracking and catastrophic failure.”
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/oak-cliff-apartment-complex-suing-atmos-over-deadly-dallas-gas-explosion/4053773/
KVIA: Simple ways to save money, energy this summer: Texas Gas Service
July 24 — The Texas Gas Service offered tips for people to save money and energy this summer. It encouraged people to manage household energy costs and focus on simple steps to keep those numbers down.
https://kvia.com/money/2026/07/24/simple-ways-to-save-money-energy-this-summer-texas-gas-service/
KERA News: Oak Cliff apartment owners sue Atmos over deadly Dallas explosion
July 24 — The owners of an Oak Cliff apartment complex destroyed in a deadly natural gas explosion have filed a lawsuit against Atmos Energy, alleging the utility’s negligence led to the blast that killed three people and leveled the property.
https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-07-24/oak-cliff-apartment-owners-sue-atmos-over-deadly-dallas-explosion
El Paso Times: Hinojosa calls on Abbott to halt new data centers in Texas
July 24 — Democratic Texas governor candidate Gina Hinojosa took aim at data centers in the state by calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to sign a moratorium on any further development.
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/07/24/hinojosa-calls-for-data-center-moratorium-in-texas-gina-hinojosa-greg-abbott/91024223007/
KDFW: Gas leak in Arlington prompts police warning to avoid area
July 23 — “Motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to avoid the area,” Arlington police said in a post on X.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/gas-leak-arlington-texas
WFAA: Gas leak in Arlington prompts evacuation of nearby homes
July 23 — Arlington residents are asked to avoid West Park Row as crews work a gas leak in the area, according to the Arlington Police department. Atmos Energy told WFAA in a statement the natural gas leak prompted officials to evacuation nearby homes as a precaution.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-news/articles/public-advised-avoid-w-park-203418850.html