NEWS & INFORMATION
Some Landowners Diversify as Texas Working Land Declines
Over a twenty year period, Texas lost 2.2 million acres of working lands, with 1.2 million of those being converted to non-agricultural use in the last five years alone, according to a new study of Texas land trends from 1997 to 2017 by Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.
Energy Development Projections in the Big Bend Region
Michael Young, PhD of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin made this presentation at The Big Bend Seminar Series on Energy Development at the Espino Conference Center at Sul Ross State University in Alpine Texas on January 15, 2020. Per Dr. Young, the projections cited should be considered preliminary an subject to change.
Why a Drop in Oil Patch Jobs is Good, and Bad, for the Permian Basin
An end to a hiring spree could mean less strain on infrastructure and lower home prices, but also less money coming into the region.
Dark Skies Initiative
McDonald Observatory is collaborating with local communities and businesses, including the oil and gas industry, to promote better nighttime lighting, i.e., cost efficiency, improved visibility & safety, and dark skies for the Observatory.
West Texas Talk: Bill Wren, The Godfather of Dark Skies
Diana Nguyen speaks to Bill Wren of McDonald Observatory, whose job is to keep the skies of Far West Texas dark. They discuss Wren’s collaboration with oil and gas companies and municipalities across the region, and what residents can do to help.
Kermit's Fortune is Made of Sand
Once a playground for the area's residents, the town's sand dunes are in demand by oil companies that use the sand for hydrolic fracturing.
Wind Farms Invade Remote Devils River
Turbines bring clean energy, but they’ve fundamentally changed people’s view of this pristine corner of West Texas.
“Energy Sprawl” Threatens Texas’ Wide-Open Spaces
The landscapes of West Texas, like much of the western United States, are iconic — home to working cowboys, open spaces and some of the most intact landscapes remaining on the North American continent. As domestic and international energy usage continues to rise, this region has become the center for America’s energy future. At the same time, will local communities have a say in the fate of their land?
“Carbon Neutral Oil” Is Promising, But Far From Guaranteed
Some experts say sequestered CO2, even if it’s used for oil production, can help the planet in the short-term. But critics say it prolongs the use of fossil fuels.
Booms and Busts Have Defined Midland’s History, but Is It Time to Stop Using Those Terms?
The Permian Basin has never been busier. More oil is being pumped than ever before, thanks to hydraulic fracking, and energy companies are making plans to stick around long-term. By most accounts, the region is booming. But, some analysts and community leaders believe the oil industry is entering into a more stable phase where the days of crazy booms and terrible busts may be a thing of the past.