TEXAS
City Pioneers Water Extraction Technology
Hubbard will be the first U.S. city to deploy an AirJoule Technologies system that generates clean distilled water from air using waste heat from a geothermal well. The system, expected to be installed by the first quarter of 2026, will produce distilled water for the municipal supply, supplementing Hubbard’s water resources. The technology can utilize waste heat from various sources, including heat from data centers, manufacturing plants and energy production. Read more
Layoffs Follow Acquisition Of Hess Corporation
Chevron Corporation will lay off approximately 575 Houston employees of the Hess Corporation following its $55 billion acquisition of the company. Chevron employs about 7,000 workers in the Houston area and has been reducing its workforce since February, when the company announced plans to lay off 20 percent of its global workforce. Read more
Public Utility Commission Sues Attorney General over Cryptocurrency Mining Data
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) is suing the Attorney General to prevent the release of data on cryptocurrency mining operations. The PUC argues that disclosing the locations, owners, and power consumption of these facilities could aid in terrorist attacks on the state’s energy grid. Critics argue that the industry is exploiting a lack of regulation, driving up electricity prices and impacting local communities. Read more
Second-Life Battery Company to Shore Up State’s Grid
B2U Storage Solutions, a battery startup in the second-life battery sector, is expanding its operations into Bexar County. The company has secured four projects with a combined capacity of 100 megawatt-hours. B2U, which has successfully operated used electric vehicle (EV) batteries on the grid in California, seeks to capitalize on the energy market by providing storage solutions for clean energy and contributing to grid stability. Read more
Startups Target Carbon Reuse Technologies
Several state startups are developing technologies to utilize carbon from fossil fuels, aiming to change carbon’s status as a waste product and encourage alternate economically viable uses for it. Companies such as Graphitic Energy and Carbon Free are exploring methods such as pyrolysis and mineralization to convert carbon into valuable materials like graphite and calcium carbonate in order to create economic markets for their products. Read more
Lawsuit Claims Economic Damage from 2022 Oil Spill
Over 2,300 shrimpers, boat owners, and seafood businesses from the Gulf Coast are suing Hilcorp Energy and WCC in a Houston courtroom for an oil spill that occurred in August 2022 off Hilcorp’s Caillou Island platform in Terrebonne Bay, Louisiana. The spill, which transpired on the first day of the shrimping season, released 14,000 gallons of crude oil, contaminating fishing areas and closing oyster harvesting areas. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for lost profits, gear damage, and restoration efforts in affected areas. Read more
LOUISIANA
EPA Exemptions Affect 12 State Plants
Twelve chemical manufacturers in the state were among the 25 exempt by President Trump from EPA regulations aimed at reducing harmful emissions. The exemption applies to the Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards rule, which the Trump administration has deemed as imposing burdensome testing and monitoring requirements. Critics argue the exemption prioritizes industry over public health, citing a history of environmental concerns at many of the exempted facilities. Read more
Entergy Requests Regulatory Approval for Nuclear Plant Upgrade
Entergy Louisiana is seeking approval for a $68.7 million project to upgrade its Waterford 3 nuclear plant, increasing output 1,150 to 1,195 megawatts. The project, financed through ratepayer costs, is expected to generate $205 million in benefits, according to the analysis by Entergy, including energy savings and federal tax credits. According to the utility, the upgrades, utilizing existing infrastructure, would help meet future capacity needs and potentially reduce ratepayer costs. Read more
State Sues Orphan Wells Contractor
The state is suing the Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association for failing to plug orphan wells, misrepresenting finances, and misusing funds. The lawsuit alleges the association’s leaders engaged in self-dealing, including facilitating a $700,000 loan to a former state official. The Association, which was established in 2019 to address orphan wells, has denied wrongdoing and claims it fulfilled its responsibilities. Read more
Ports Partner on Unified Marketing Strategy
Five Louisiana ports — the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Port of South Louisiana, Port of New Orleans, St. Bernard Port, and Louisiana Gateway Port — have partnered with Polaris Analytics & Consulting to develop a unified marketing strategy. This initiative aims to boost international trade, attract foreign investment, and enhance Louisiana’s competitive edge in global commerce. Together, these ports collectively form one of the busiest port systems in the world, handling more than 500 million tons of cargo annually — approximately 20 percent of the nation’s total. Read more
Parish to Develop Flooding Mitigation Area
St. Tammany Parish is set to spend $1.77 million to purchase 168 flood-prone acres near Mandeville for drainage purposes. The acquisition, part of a pilot program to address flooding concerns, aims to preserve the land from development and potentially build a pond. The funds will come from the parish’s drainage tax and impact fees. Read more
Tulane Future of Energy Forum Attracts Worldwide Experts
Tulane University will host its second annual Future of Energy Forum in September, bringing together more than 100 energy leaders to discuss industry challenges and opportunities. The free conference focuses on innovation, competition, and collaboration, and will feature sessions on emerging technologies, shifting regulations, and cross-sector partnerships. Read more
Oil and Gas Producers Initiate New Projects
As a result of a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill that increases the revenue sharing cap imposed on Gulf states from $500 million to $650 million, the state of Louisiana anticipates a substantial surge in offshore oil and gas revenues. In response, BP and other Gulf oil producers are initiating new projects and augmenting their oil production off the state’s coast. The state could potentially earn an additional $46 million annually, or $460 million over the next decade, if the cap is consistently met each year, according to estimates of revenue and production. Read more
MISSISSIPPI
Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline to Span Entire State
The Mississippi Crossing Project, a proposed natural gas pipeline spanning nearly 208 miles across Mississippi, is under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, aims to build a pipeline that can transport up to 2.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. This pipeline expansion, which is intended to address increasing energy demand by enhancing its transportation capacity, faces scrutiny from environmental groups and regulatory agencies. Read more
MSU Completes Tree Planting Project
As part of its infrastructure plan, Mississippi State University in Starkville has planted more than 2,000 trees in the past five years, enhancing the campus’s canopy and outdoor environment. Strategically placed in high-traffic areas, the diverse tree plantings provide shade, purify the air, and contribute to cooling the university’s campus. Read more
ALABAMA
Alabama Power Expands Capacity
Alabama Power received approval from the Public Service Commission to acquire the Lindsay Hill Generating Station, a 895-megawatt gas-fired power plant, for $622 million. The acquisition is to assist the utility in meeting the increasing energy demands of Alabama, particularly in conjunction with two significant data center projects whose details were not disclosed. The Lindsay Hill plant is situated in close proximity to another Alabama Power plant, the Central Alabama Generating Station, a 885-MW gas-powered facility that the utility acquired in 2020 as part of a $1.1 billion expansion initiative. Read more
Bessemer Data Center Opposed
A proposed $14.5 billion data center in Bessemer faces opposition from residents concerned about its environmental impact. The project, which would require significant water and electricity usage, necessitates clearcutting of more than 100 acres of land, and threatens endangered species could strain local resources and increase reliance on fossil fuels. Despite claims from the developer that the project poses no health risks, residents worry about potential cancer risks from diesel generators and the lack of transparency surrounding the project’s details. Read more
Stricter Limits On Waterways Toxins Approved
Environmental regulators approved stricter limits on 12 toxic substances in state waterways, following a petition from seven environmental groups. The updated standards, based on 2015 EPA guidelines, will reduce toxin levels in drinking water sources and popular fishing areas. The decision was made by a 6-1 vote from the Alabama Environmental Management Commission. Read more
