Stories by Mose Buchele, KUT
As climate crisis deepens, Austin looks to speed up emission reductions
Austin would effectively emit zero greenhouse gases 10 years earlier than previously planned if a new proposal from city staff comes to fruition – but the goal would require a dramatic acceleration of the progress the city has already made…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Sep 9, 2021
For most of Texas, this summer was extreme ... extremely mild
This summer the West Coast burned, the Midwest baked and states from Louisiana to New York flooded, but the weather in Texas was pretty OK, actually? After enduring a historic winter storm and statewide power failure this February, Texas got…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Sep 7, 2021
Hotter, stormier, droughtier: What to look for as meteorologists update 'normal' weather for Austin
Lee esta historia en español. When you hear a weatherperson mention Austin’s average high temperature or rainfall next month, the numbers will be different. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is updating what it considers “normal” weather throughout the country.…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 27, 2021
Austin approves $23M to help prevent gentrification near new transit hubs
Austin City Council has put $23 million toward projects to stop people from getting priced out of their neighborhoods. It’s the first use of money from a larger anti-displacement fund set up to soften the gentrifying effects of planned rail…
City Council • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Feb 8, 2021
Some air pollutants increased in Austin during the pandemic. The big question is why?
As Covid-19 spread across the globe in the spring, people noticed a strange side effect of the pandemic: The air was getting cleaner. Stay-at-home orders, along with the economic crash caused by the outbreak, meant less industrial and transportation-related pollution.…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Oct 20, 2020
City could store three Lake Austins' worth of water underground by 2040
Austin gets all of its water from the Highland Lakes, but that might not always be the case. The city recently took a first step toward storing massive amounts of water underground. If the plan works, it could help Austin…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Aug 31, 2020
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Austin lifts ban on public drinking in East Austin
Lee esta historia en español. No matter what side of the street you’re on, you will soon be on the right side of the law when you walk around East Austin with a beer. Austin City Council approved a resolution…
City Council • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 31, 2020
Dog owners take note: Toxic algae early warning system is in the works
The heat of summer is here and that means toxic blue-green algae may return to Austin lakes and creeks. Last year, at least five dogs died after swimming in parts of Lady Bird Lake containing the algae. This year, the…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 13, 2020
Kinder Morgan sued over drilling fluid spill in Blanco County
The pipeline company Kinder Morgan violated the Safe Drinking Water Act when it spilled tens of thousands of gallons of drilling fluid into Blanco County groundwater, according to a new lawsuit from local landowners and groundwater conservation groups. In late…
Courts • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jun 24, 2020
Hays County revokes permits for Kinder Morgan pipeline
The Hays County Commissioners Court has revoked permits it issued allowing Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway pipeline project to bore under county roads. The move is the most recent flare-up in a long-standing battle between Hill Country landowners, local governments and…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 23, 2020
Amid historic oil bust, Texas regulators consider the once unthinkable: Keeping it in the ground
In a move that would have been unimaginable just a couple of months ago, Texas is considering limiting oil production in the state. Capping the amount of crude that can be pumped is a power the state has not used…
Resources • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 15, 2020
After emergency orders, Austin seeks more money for housing and small businesses
The city of Austin’s Economic Development Department doesn’t know how many residents will lose income because of the bar and restaurant closures and crowd-control rules announced to stop the spread of COVID-19. But with more than 125,000 people working in…
