Environment

  As the Texas Drought continues, the Edwards Aquifer Authority has issued a new stage of pumping restrictions for entities like SAWS and others who draw from the aquifer.

The new Stage 5 restrictions will control how much water is pumped from the Edwards Aquifer during times of extreme drought.

San Antonio is now the hub for providing resources to the Eagle Ford Shale Project. The South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable opened its doors at the Pearl Brewery this week.

It’s been in existence for about five months, created by the 11 major oil and gas operators working on the shale project including Conoco Phillips and Lewis Energy.

Today CPS Energy and city officials joined OCI Solar Power executives in a toast to the first phase of construction on a mega solar power agreement that promises 800 jobs for the city over several solar farm locations.

Officials made a ceremonial first dig with shovels at the site of Alamo I, the first solar farm location, to symbolize the massive construction project that has already begun.

South of Loop 410 and IH-37, Alamo I will soon be buzzing with hundreds of solar panels that will generate 41 megawatts.  

According to one nonprofit company, San Antonio and Austin generate the vast majority of solar energy produced in the state. As the expansion of solar moves across Texas, both cities are emerging as solar front runners.

San Antonio and Austin combined for 85 percent of the state’s solar energy installations. That’s according to a report from Environment Texas.