https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/carlos-nogueras-ramos/The latest news by Carlos Nogueras Ramos.enTue, 27 May 2025 18:19:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/texas-oil-gas-abadoned-wells-regulations/Senate Bill 1150, which is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott, is a rare example of the Texas Legislature regulating the state’s oil and gas industry.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 27 May 2025 18:19:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/texas-oil-gas-abadoned-wells-regulations/A plugged well on the Scouras’ property in Lee County in 2021. Oil and gas companies will face new rules on plugging wells that are no longer operable.A plugged well on the Scouras’ property in Lee County on July 12, 2021. The Scourases are two of many Lee County residents whose water sources have dried up as a result of Vista Ridge Pipeline Project.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-electric-grid-energy-oversight/The proposal is meant to help the state better manage its electric supply during times of high demand. Critics say the oversight would discourage some companies from doing business in Texas.By Carlos Nogueras RamosMon, 26 May 2025 14:56:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-electric-grid-energy-oversight/Flint Hills Resources, a manufacturer of fuels and chemicals, site in Corpus Christi on Nov. 11, 2021.Flint Hills Resources, a manufacturer of fuels and chemicals, site in Corpus on Nov. 11, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-energy-consumers-legislature/The legislation would give ERCOT the ability to turn off power to major consumers in an emergency.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 21 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-energy-consumers-legislature/Texas' largest energy consumers, like data centers, could face more regulation if the legislature approves a bill making its way through the Capitol.Construction workers build a portable building that will be used to house computers cooled by immersion technology on Oct. 22, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-farmer-renewable-energy-debate/The Texas Legislature is considering a proposal that would add restrictions on renewable energy expansion.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 20 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-farmer-renewable-energy-debate/Robert Fleming watches over his cattle as they feed in a pasture that borders a neighboring solar project on May 13, in Blevins. Fleming is concerned that the solar development could damage the environment, his cattle and human health.Robert Fleming watches over his cattle as they feed in a pasture that borders the Blevins solar project on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Blevins. Fleming is concerned that the solar development could damage the environment, his cattle and human health.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-legislature-produced-water-legal-protections-oil-gas/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.By Carlos Nogueras RamosMon, 19 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-legislature-produced-water-legal-protections-oil-gas/Tanks of produced water sit outside the Texas Pacific Water Resources research and development project site as they undergo oxidation using hydrogen peroxide outside of Midland.Tanks of produced water sit outside the Texas Pacific Water Resources research and development project site as they undergo oxidation using hydrogen peroxide Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, outside of Midland. The hydrogen peroxide helps separate out hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and oil in addition to managing bacteria found in the water.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-energy-legislature-data-center-ercot/According to ERCOT, the state’s energy demand may double in six years.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 07 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-energy-legislature-data-center-ercot/A Texas lawmaker is worried about the state does not know how much energy it needs going forward. State Sen. Phil King's bill would put new restrictions on big businesses like data centers.The recently-opened Edge Data Center in Amarillo on March 19, 2025.Angelina Marie for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/01/texas-water-crisis-oil-gas-fracking-farming/The Texas Legislature has also invested millions in research to clean the fracking wastewater. Critics say it’s not a viable solution to the state’s water crisis.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 01 May 2025 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/01/texas-water-crisis-oil-gas-fracking-farming/An alfalfa garden patch grows at the Texas Pacific Water Resources research and development project site outside of Midland. Researchers watered the alfalfa with cleaned produced water from a fracking site. No contaminants were detected in the plant or soil.Technical Research & Development Manager Adrianne Lopez gives a tour of the Texas Pacific Water Resources’ project site greenhouse on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, outside of Midland.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/21/texas-school-vouchers-reactions/Texas Republican lawmakers in regions known for support of public schools defended voting for vouchers, saying they gained leverage to seek concessions.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Jess HuffMon, 21 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/21/texas-school-vouchers-reactions/Public school advocates rally with Democrat House members in the Texas Capitol before the Texas House started their debate on their school voucher proposal on April 16, 2025. The bill was approved the following day. As the legislation inches closer to becoming law, some Texans across the state remained skeptical of the proposal and worried about its impact on public schools.Public school advocates rally with Democrat House members in the Capitol Rotunda prior to the morning session on April 16, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-ercot-energy-demand-legislature/The state grid’s operator said the current regulation will allow it to meet future demands.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 16 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-ercot-energy-demand-legislature/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/west-texas-permian-basin-oil-price-donald-trump-tariff/Supply chain disruptions and policy decisions can significantly change these costs for oil companies — and consumers.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/west-texas-permian-basin-oil-price-donald-trump-tariff/Oil and gas industry leaders said this week that prolonged tariffs and uncertainty in the economy could hurt production.The last remnants of the sunlight begin to set behind a trailer home and pump jack Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in West Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/08/texas-direct-carbon-capture-oxy/Environmental groups worry direct carbon capture is not the silver bullet to curb climate change many energy companies purport it to be.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 08 Apr 2025 10:49:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/08/texas-direct-carbon-capture-oxy/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/08/renewable-energy-texas-new-regulations/The legislation would put new requirements on wind and solar companies that oil and gas companies in Texas do not face.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 08 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/08/renewable-energy-texas-new-regulations/Landon Terry unloads feed for the sheep he tends to at the Enel solar farm in Haskell County in 2023. Texas may soon put new limits on wind and solar energy companies.Landon Terry unloads feed from his ranger for the sheep he tends to at the Enel solar farm in Haskell County on Oct. 20, 2023.Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/25/texas-oil-gas-taxes-divert-bills-infrastructure/Reps. Tom Craddick and Brooks Landgraf want to divert 10% of taxes collected on oil and gas production to help budget-strapped counties keep up with growth.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 25 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/25/texas-oil-gas-taxes-divert-bills-infrastructure/Truckers line up to receive a load of sand used in oil and gas fracking at the Capital Sand plant outside of Monahans in July 2024.Truckers line up to receive a load of sand, used in oil and gas fracking, at the Capital Sand plant Monday, July 1, 2024, outside of Monahans.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/texas-oil-gas-abandon-wells-legislation/The bill would have set deadlines for the oil and gas industry to plug inactive wells, which can pose a danger to the environment.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 12 Mar 2025 16:53:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/texas-oil-gas-abandon-wells-legislation/A Texas Senate panel told a fellow Republican lawmaker Wednesday to reconsider his legislation that would require energy companies to plug inactive wells within 15 years.A pump jack and a gas flare in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/04/west-texas-measles-outbreak-mennonite-seminole/In rural West Texas, measles has sickened nearly 150 people, most of them unvaccinated. A school-age child has died. The virus is spreading among Gaines County’s Mennonite community, where government mandates are not trusted.By Devi Shastri, Associated Press, and Carlos Nogueras Ramos, The Texas TribuneTue, 04 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/04/west-texas-measles-outbreak-mennonite-seminole/A child holds a man’s thumb during a service at Community Church of Seminole on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Seminole.A child holds a man’s finger during a service at Community Church of Seminole on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Seminole.AP Photo/Julio Cortezhttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/west-texas-immigrants-citizenship/A naturalized citizen, along with other business leaders, are working to create new resources for undocumented people living in the Permian Basin.By Carlos Nogueras RamosThu, 20 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/west-texas-immigrants-citizenship/Miriam Guzman, left, and Theresa Servin pose for a photo on Friday in Odessa. After immigrating to the United States, Guzman met Servin, with whom she bonded over a shared inclination for advocacy. Both women are helping migrants become U.S. citizens.Miriam Guzmán, left, and Theresa Servin pose for a photo on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Odessa.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/texas-primacy-carbon-capture-oil-gas/Environmentalists are worried the state — known for a lax approach to regulation — is not prepared for the added responsibility of regulating certain carbon capture projects.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Alejandra MartinezThu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/texas-primacy-carbon-capture-oil-gas/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/21/west-texas-oil-gas-methane-reduction-report/Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and is 80 times the potency of carbon dioxide.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/21/west-texas-oil-gas-methane-reduction-report/An array of oil pumps operate outside of Tarzan on Sept. 15, 2023. Oil and gas companies released less methane during the extraction phases, according to a new report. But critics of the industry are skeptical.An array of pumpjacks operate outside of Tarzan on Sept. 15, 2023. Tarzan is an unincorporated town north of Midland, about halfway between Andrews and Big Spring. in Martin County.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/texas-immigration-mass-deportations-economy/“We wouldn’t survive” without undocumented workers, one South Texas produce business owner said. By one estimate, 8% of Texas’ workforce lacks legal status.By Alejandra Martinez, Alejandro Serrano, Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Joshua FechterWed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/texas-immigration-mass-deportations-economy/Construction workers building homes in San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.Construction workers building homes in far west San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/presidio-texas-13-million-federal-grant-envrionment/Presidio, northwest of Big Bend National Park, will get dedicated green spaces along bike lanes and pedestrian streets, plant thousands of native trees and establish a high-school run air quality monitoring program.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/presidio-texas-13-million-federal-grant-envrionment/Ramon Rodriguez, Founder of Project Homeleaf and Elvira Hermosillo, Big Bend Conservation Alliance Programs Director pose for a photo in Presidio on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.Ramon Rodriguez, Project Homeleaf Founder and Elvira Hermosillo, Big Bend Conservation Alliance Programs DirectorSarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune