"Environmental rules may harm Texas economy"

          Susan Combs argues that recent federal environmental regulations essentially pose a threat to the Texas economy rather than improvement. Combs states that these environmental regulations such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s new cross-state air pollution rule, which targets nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, is forcing the state’s largest power generator, Luminant, “to idle two generating units and halt operations at three Ignite mines.” Such actions can result in a loss of 500 jobs in Texas. Combs believes that not only will the cross-state air pollution rule result in the loss of Texas jobs but this rule might also result in a raise of electricity rates. Throughout the rest of the article Susan Combs continues to name more federal environmental rules and argue how these rules that are intended to help Texas can result in hurting its economy by leading to the loss of hundreds of jobs.  

          In this article Comb’s intended audience appears to be the average Texan as she appeals to them through the use of the potentiality of job losses and increased electricity rates. The author seems credible because she is not simply ranting on with simple opinion based statements but she is using various environmental regulations as evidence to her claims. Her claims are not over the top, she is not saying that these regulations are a great evil, rather she is simply stating the hazards these regulations pose in an effort to urge Texans to be aware of the events that are taking place around them. The evidence Combs presents is strong in getting her point across that certain environmental regulations pose a great risk to Texas’ already staggering economy. Overall the article is solid in getting its point across and reaching out to the average Texan through the great use of what are essentially scare tactics.

"Texas Water Utility Plans for Drought Worse Than 1950s"

           Looks like it is just getting started… According to Federal scientists La Niña, a Pacific Ocean phenomenon that has been blamed for the current drought, “is back and will strengthen.” At this time Texas’ two major reservoirs, Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan are currently forty percent full. Because of these current conditions the Lower Colorado River Authority plans to meet on September 20 and again on September 21 to discuss reducing or even ending its water sales to downriver farmers next year. These farmers rely on Lower Colorado River Authority water to grow crops, so LCRA’s decision will definitely have an effect on these farmers.

This is interesting not only because it will effect these farmers but because the lower Colorado River Authority is the wholesale supplier of water to Austin and other Central Texas cities. So not only will downriver farmers be affected by LCRA’s decision but their decision might affect Austin as well. Austin is currently restricted to once a week watering so if LCRA decides to simply reduce its water sales to these downriver farmers than Austin might be restricted even further.

            As it stands Texas’ two major reservoirs contain 812,000 acre-feet of water but the LCRA fears the amount of water could drop to 640,000 acre-feet by January 1, just 19,000 feet below the lowest these lakes have ever been. The pressure is on; LCRA’s decisions in the coming week will take a toll on Central Texas residents one way or another.