Series of wind turbines on a green hillside

New rules would require wind and solar projects in Texas to get state approval

Texas lawmakers are pushing new rules that would force wind and solar developers to seek state permits and meet stricter environmental standards, drawing a stark contrast with the state’s looser regulation of oil and gas.

Carlos Nogueras Ramos reports for The Texas Tribune.

In short:

A bill from Sen. Lois Kolkhorst would require renewable energy projects over 10 megawatts to get permits from the Public Utility Commission, undergo environmental review, and hold public hearings.
The legislation introduces distance requirements from property lines and buildings, and imposes environmental impact fees to fund cleanup and wildlife monitoring.
Critics argue the bill targets renewables unfairly, especially compared to the less-regulated oil and gas industry, and could harm Texas' ability to meet rising energy demand.

Key quote:

“Any policy that hamstrings or puts red tape on energy development, any energy development, is not good for the grid.”

— Daniel Giese, director of state affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association

Why this matters:

Texas, long synonymous with oil and gas, now finds itself at the epicenter of the country’s renewable energy boom — a surprising twist in the energy transition narrative. Supporters argue the proposed legislation to impose stricter permitting requirements on renewables is a necessary correction, giving rural residents a greater voice and addressing visual and ecological impacts that often come with large-scale installations. Critics, however, see the move as a thinly veiled attempt to kneecap renewables under the guise of oversight, pointing out that fossil fuel projects continue to operate under looser standards. At its core, the fight is about who gets to shape the future of energy — and on what terms.

www.texastribune.org

Credit: Douglas Fischer

One lawyer's groundbreaking work in shaping climate law

As governments stall and emissions climb, human rights lawyers like Monica Feria-Tinta are turning to the courts to force climate action — one tree, island, or river at a time.

Samira Shackle reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Feria-Tinta is pioneering legal strategies that argue climate inaction violates human rights, helping Indigenous and vulnerable communities take their cases to global courts.
Her work includes landmark victories like the Torres Strait case, where the United Nations ruled Australia failed to protect islanders from climate harm, and Ecuador’s Los Cedros forest, which won legal rights as a living entity.
While legal wins are often slow and hard-fought, they’re shifting the global legal landscape, transforming courts into battlegrounds where climate justice and biodiversity now have a voice.

Key quote:

“Whether it’s a single tree, or a whole community depending on a river, what is at stake is the future of humanity.”

— Monica Feria-Tinta

Why this matters:

As heat, floods, and displacement intensify, the courtroom has become a potent line of defense. Climate litigation can hold powerful players accountable, push policy change, and help protect the ecosystems our health depends on — even when other systems fail. These legal wins are slow, complex, and anything but guaranteed. But they’re a signal that the courtroom is becoming one of the last places where the planet still stands a fighting chance.

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www.ehn.org

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