Energy wonks have a meltdown over the U.S. going 100 percent renewable. Why?

Science is messy, but it doesn’t have to be dirty. On June 19, a group of respected energy... Read More >

The Texas Coastal Exchange: Implementing an innovative marketplace

Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series that introduces The Texas Coastal... Read More >

The Texas Coastal Exchange: Setting a Carbon Baseline and Trading Standards

Editor's note: This is the second of a three-part series that introduces The Texas Coastal... Read More >

The Texas Coastal Exchange: Trading Rules & Standards

Editor's note: This is the third of a three-part series that introduces The Texas Coastal... Read More >

The Texas Coastal Exchange: An innovative ecological services marketplace

Editor's note: The following three posts are part of a three-part series that introduces The... Read More >

Here’s a better vision for the U.S.-Mexico border

  In Big Bend National Park’s Santa Elena Canyon, the Rio Grande separates the United... Read More >

I was an Exxon-funded climate scientist

Exxon funded climate scientists while the bulk of its public-facing advertorials argued the science... Read More >

Texas is a surprising national leader in water conservation

In her 2013 book, Big, Hot Cheap and Right, journalist Erica Greider observes that Texas is an... Read More >

Op/Ed: For lessons on how to rebuild after Hurricane Harvey, look to George Mitchell

Few things are more exasperating to Houstonians recovering from Hurricane Harvey than hearing... Read More >

The fifth wheel? Is electric storage poised to be the next big energy resource in Texas?

Most everyone has heard about the rise of wind energy in the state of Texas, recently surpassing... Read More >

Living on borrowed water: the cycle of water and its reuse

Water rotates all around us. In some instances, it rotates by winds and weather, in others, by... Read More >

One family's venture in private land conservation: Generation to Generation

Editor's Note: This is the first of a three-part series by the author. To read part two, click here.... Read More >

One family’s venture in private land conservation: Public Interest in Private Land

Editor's Note: This is the second of a three-part series by the author. To read part one, click... Read More >

One family's venture in private land conservation: Investing in Partnerships

Editor's Note: This is the third of a three-part series by the author. To read part one, click... Read More >

Houston comes together to figure out flooding

Hurricane Harvey dealt our region a devastating blow and exposed many of our vulnerabilities. At the... Read More >

Was it beauty or the beast that killed three large dirty coal plants in Texas?

Editor's Note: This is the first of a two-part series by the author. To read part two, click... Read More >

With three beasts down, what does it mean for ERCOT’s energy-only market?

Editor's Note: This is the second of a two-part series by the author. To read part one, click here. ... Read More >

Q&A with Marilu Hastings

Texas has a surprising clean-energy policy story to tell, one based on market initiatives and... Read More >

Elite shale task force says there's uncertainty about industry's impact on Texas's people, environment

Texas' role as a petroleum powerhouse started with the famed Spindletop oil gusher near Beaumont in... Read More >

How disaster charity can pivot to sustainable philanthropy

This has been a heavy year of natural disasters: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, wildfires in... Read More >

CGMF Backs Ducks Unlimited's Playa Lakes Conservation

A $100,000 donation to DU’s Southern Prairies and Playas Initiative from the Austin,... Read More >

Bigger wells, but more water

Shale wells are swallowing twice as much water as they did a few years ago — around 10 million... Read More >

Op/Ed: Houston-specific flood alerts give residents time to save lives, property

During Harvey, thousands of Houstonians were faced with water rising in their houses, scrambling to... Read More >

Houston Workshop Discusses Making Buyouts An Increased Aspect Of Flood Mitigation

Among the many strategies for mitigating future flooding in Greater Houston is buying out... Read More >

As World Eyes Cape Town Water Crisis, Texas Study Explores New Options

It's a resource so precious that human life can't be sustained without it, yet so common most of us... Read More >

Op/Ed: Texas needs a new approach to water management before it's too late

Texas summer days are filled with the gasps and laughter of children as they cannonball into cold,... Read More >

U.S. Energy Diplomacy report, additional news related to U.S. global energy policy

New York (March 1, 2018)—The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University... Read More >

Continuing on a path focused on actionable solutions

Many are still reeling from the sweeping changes the Trump administration has proposed or introduced... Read More >

Texas’s swimming holes need One Water

The redbuds are blooming, a sure sign that spring is here with summer heat soon to follow. Summer... Read More >

The need for One Water

Only six months ago, the state of Texas experienced the most significant rain event in its... Read More >

Into the blue again: Leadership at all stages of the urban water cycle, including your home

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing... Read More >

The Water Supply of the Future?

There is a lot of discussion in the water world about One Water.  This integrated water... Read More >

Here's what greater Houston can do to mitigate future flooding, according to new study

Flooding in Houston is inevitable, but there are a few ways to reduce the effect it has on people's... Read More >

One Water, One Texas

"The answer is in nature." Solutions don’t get any clearer than that.  This... Read More >

Report: Solving Houston flooding woes will require wholesale strategy overhaul

A new report by a group of leading Texas researchers details a variety of shortcomings with the... Read More >

Report: Houston region must take fresh approach on flooding

A coalition of local researchers focusing on flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey have... Read More >

How can Houston live with the uncertainty of flooding?

A great American city, struck by natural disaster, forever changes the way it thinks about building... Read More >

Integrated Urban Water Management: Making bigger cities less thirsty

Many cities across the United States are growing and changing rapidly, becoming home not just to... Read More >

Second thoughts on Third Reservoir

After Hurricane Harvey demonstrated the limitations of the Barker and Addicks reservoirs, anybody... Read More >

Texas saddles up for the “Water Utility of the Future"

In order to meet the water needs of urban and suburban populations across the United States,... Read More >

One Water: The Austin way forward

People come to Austin for lots of reasons—music, barbecue, jobs—but the reason they can... Read More >

Op-Ed: What will it take for Houston to become more 'resilient'?

If the Houston region wants to minimize the human impacts of future events like Hurricane Harvey, we... Read More >

One Water: A powerful 21st-century solution

What does the jazz-loving swamp country of New Orleans have in common with the wild high desert of... Read More >

Does Texas really have a water problem?

Most Texans “know” that Texas has a water “problem.” In fact, the Texas... Read More >

Texas River Authorities embody One Water

Editor's Note: This is the first of a two-part series by the author. To read part two, click... Read More >

One Water: Stewardship flows beyond the city limit sign

Editor's Note: This is the second of a two-part series by the author. To read part one, click... Read More >

One Water: The Future of Land and Water in Central Texas

For centuries, the Texas Hill Country has been a region defined by its water resources. Early... Read More >

A Missing Component in the One Water Conversation

To many Texans, the vast limestone savannah of the Edwards Plateau is an area that one must cross... Read More >

Actionable solutions for a new West Texas

  The Nature Conservancy states that the largest loss of open space is now caused by energy... Read More >

Addressing the interconnected issues of energy sprawl

In a so-called post-truth era, we are actually collecting more data on a wider variety of factors... Read More >

Private Property Rights Matter For Collective Conservation

The iconography of Texas centers in fierce independence and rugged individualism.  The Battle... Read More >

‘Paradigm shift’ on flooding emerging after Harvey

In October 1957, three days of heavy rains pushed the Turia River out of its banks in Valencia,... Read More >

Modernized Oilfield Lighting Protects Night Skies, Benefits the Industry

Since 1932, McDonald Observatory has enjoyed nighttime skies as dark as any major astronomical... Read More >

Native plant restoration: a bridge to a sustainable future in the Trans-Pecos?

Restoration of native plants and habitat in tandem with energy sprawl could be a bridge to a better... Read More >

This Land is Your Land: The U.S. Energy Landscape

A recent Bloomberg article (Here’s How America Uses Its Land) broke down how the United States... Read More >

Voices from the Trans-Pecos: Exploring Public Opinion on Energy Development

Editor's Note: This is the first of a two-part series by the authors.   The area of Texas... Read More >

Addressing the interconnected Issues of energy sprawl

In a so-called post-truth era, we are actually collecting more data on a wider variety of factors... Read More >

The landowner knows best: Conserving the greater Big Bend region

“We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are... Read More >

Texas’ Energy Boom and the Looming Water Challenge

Notwithstanding soft oil and gas prices, the Texas energy industry is booming. Nowhere is this more... Read More >

Community Engagement Critical to Sustaining Energy Development in West Texas

The Trans Pecos region of West Texas is a state treasure. It is in the Chihuahuan Desert, the most... Read More >

Let's get this right

Texas continues to grow and prosper for many reasons and, as Texans, we should be forever thankful. ... Read More >

Activists And Researchers Are Working To Keep Tabs On Oil And Gas Emissions Near Balmorhea

Editor's Note: To listen to the story, click here: ow.ly/CmuQ30nniKD Funky smelling fumes,... Read More >

Texans' views of the Trans-Pecos

Editor's Note: This is the second of a two-part series by the authors. To read the first post, click... Read More >

Conserving the Last Frontier: The Case for the Trans-Pecos

If Texas were a sovereign country, it would rank as the tenth largest economy in the world, with a... Read More >

As oil and gas exports surge, West Texas becomes the world's "extraction colony"

MIDLAND, Texas — Drilling booms have come and gone in this oil town for nearly a century.... Read More >

Troubled Waters: A Year After Harvey, Has Houston Learned Anything?

Before Hurricane Harvey, the buzzword that dominated Houston’s leadership circles was... Read More >

Houston to consider underground tunnels to help prevent flooding

Southeastern Texas is one of a handful of regions bracing for this year's hurricane season. Harris... Read More >

How to Cut U.S. Emissions Faster? Do What These Countries Are Doing

The United States is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions far too slowly to help avert... Read More >

Abandoned Texas oil wells seen as "ticking time bombs" of contamination

IMPERIAL — Peculiar things can happen after folks drill deep into the earth — looking... Read More >

Addressing the interconnected issues of energy sprawl

In a so-called post-truth era, we are actually collecting more data on a wider variety of factors... Read More >

Conserving the Last Frontier: The Case for the Trans-Pecos

If Texas were a sovereign country, it would rank as the tenth largest economy in the world, with a... Read More >

This Land is Your Land: The U.S. Energy Landscape

A recent Bloomberg article (Here’s How America Uses Its Land) broke down how the United States... Read More >

What Texas can teach America about advanced clean energy

The current tenor of the national argument about America's energy future distracts us from a clear... Read More >

Op-Ed: Texas and the green new deal

A wind farm in Fort Stockton. Texas is the leader in developing wind energy in the U.S. The... Read More >

Foundation's goal is to Respect Big Bend Country

MIDLAND—The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation will offer a press briefing on Thursday,... Read More >

Can George Mitchell's legacy save Texas' last frontier?

The sun sets over the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. The Cynthia and George Mitchell... Read More >

Coalition to help mitigate impact of energy sprawl in West Texas

MIDLAND—The West Texas energy sprawl is continuing to expand, with little sign of stopping,... Read More >

New initiative strives to inspire responsible energy development in the Big Bend

MIDLAND—The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, along with other partners, hopes to... Read More >

EDITORIAL: Will oil and gas industry shoulder responsibilities as regulations falter?

Here in America, we talk plenty of learning from history but show very little evidence of it. ... Read More >

Fighting the 'status quo' of energy development

MIDLAND—The Big Bend region is considered one of the most biodiverse in the Western... Read More >

Can George Mitchell's legacy save Texas' last frontier?

Editor's Note: This story is one of the top 10 stories from the May 10, 2019 edition of The... Read More >

Verify: You won't believe what's happening in far West Texas

Editor's Note: The following story was produced by WFAA-TV. The weekly news segment, Verify, is seen... Read More >

Philanthropists are allowing the younger generation to decide how to manage budgets, allocate grants

At a charitable board meeting, members are invited to propose their visions for the future... Read More >

Opinion: The oilman who loved sustainable energy

On Tuesday, George P. Mitchell would have turned 100 years old. After his death at 94 in 2013, this... Read More >

What would George Mitchell Do? [Opinion]

The late George P. Mitchell, who would have turned 100 on May 21, was a Houston-based businessman,... Read More >

After Harvey, we must change more than how we react to flood risk to thrive amid coming climate challenges [Editorial]

The phrase “after Harvey” dominates Houston’s vocabulary. Can we live in this... Read More >

The Permian Basin is Booming With Oil. But at What Cost to West Texans?

The horizon was thick with iron derricks. All around us, pumpjacks were scattered across the muddy... Read More >

Oil executives: Time for Houston to embrace clean energy

Houston’s position as the energy capital of the world is based on fossil fuels, but the... Read More >

'Energy sprawl' threatens Texas' wide-open spaces [Opinion]

The landscapes of West Texas, like much of the western United States, are iconic — home to... Read More >

HISTORY: Learn more about George Mitchell

Residents of The Woodlands may be familiar with the name of entrepreneur George P. Mitchell, who... Read More >

Increased emissions in Texas are canceling out climate progress across the country [OPINION]

For those who understand the scale of the climate emergency, President Trump’s climate denial... Read More >

The credible case for Texas and its clean energy solutions [OPINION]

Recent criticism of increased Texas greenhouse gas emissions makes an important point:... Read More >

Wealth Matters: As Politics Creep Into Philanthropy, Beneficiaries Come Under Fire

Conservatives like Stephen Ross serve on the board of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts,... Read More >

Montgomery (Texas) development threatens natural habitats

  Two deer graze near what used to be forested woods alongside the busy Sendera Ranch... Read More >

Come Hell or High Water: Understanding Texas’ Water Problem

This is Part One of a two-part series on "One Water." Part One looks at the water problems that... Read More >

The Credible Case for One Water [Opinion]

The state of Texas is a behemoth. At some 268,820 square miles — from the Piney Woods of East... Read More >

How will we turn the tide for Texas' water?

This is Part Two of a two-part series on "One Water." Part One looked at the water problems that... Read More >

Looming water shortage draws Mitchell Foundation interest

Texas’ growing population, including along the upper coastal region, will require more water... Read More >

Listen: George Mitchell's unconventional journey

The late billionaire George Mitchell was a Galveston-born wildcatter who became widely known as the... Read More >

Texans must treat every drop of water as precious [OPINION]

Community leaders, water planners, and policymakers need a bold, innovative, commonsensical approach... Read More >

CGMF opens search for new Chief Executive Officer

AUSTIN (October 2, 2019) — The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (CGMF) is... Read More >

Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation launches search for new CEO

The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation is seeking a new chief executive officer as part of a... Read More >

Mitchell Foundation seeks CEO as it transitions from family leadership

AUSTIN—The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, a grant-making organization continuing a... Read More >

Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation launches search for CEO

The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation is seeking to hire a new CEO to succeed President... Read More >

The Legacy of George P. Mitchell

A new biography examines the life and legacy of billionaire Texas oilman George P.... Read More >

Imagine a Day With One Water

Today we are called on to “Imagine a Day Without Water,” and thankfully, many Americans... Read More >

George Mitchell's foundation challenges industry orthodoxy

  WASHINGTON - Four years ago, a group of oil and gas executives and environmental experts,... Read More >

Author explores George Mitchell’s legacy during Texas A&M visit

Journalist and author Loren Steffy’s latest book explores the life of the late George Mitchell... Read More >

Podcast: Fracking, Sustainability & an Unorthodox Quest to Save the Planet

He’s known as the father of fracking. And while the designation may not be quite right,... Read More >

Statement on report by the National Petroleum Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 12, 2019)—The National Petroleum Council (NPC) today announced the... Read More >

Historic Galveston Island properties to be sold, benefiting the Mitchell Foundation

Mitchell Historic Properties has agreed to sell two iconic Galveston Island properties — the... Read More >

CGMF to benefit from sale of iconic Galveston properties

Cynthia and George Mitchell stroll in front of The Tremont House in Galveston, Texas. Mitchell... Read More >

Mitchell estate sells landmark Galveston hotel properties

Cynthia and George Mitchell stroll in front of The Tremont House in Galveston, Texas. Mitchell... Read More >

'No ordinary transaction' | Texas firm to buy iconic Galveston Island properties

Cynthia and George Mitchell stroll in front of The Tremont House in Galveston, Texas. Mitchell... Read More >

Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation to Benefit From Property Sales

The Texas-based Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation has announced that it will receive... Read More >

Untapped: The New West Texas

The Texas Standard presents a summary of print and streaming segments that focued on the effects of... Read More >

U.S. greenhouse gases to billow on Gulf Coast petrochemicals charge -study

HOUSTON, Jan 14, 2020 (Reuters) - A multi-billion dollar boom in petrochemical plants proposed along... Read More >

Climate Changed: Cheap Natural Gas Could Add 500 Million Tons to US Emissions -

  A liquefied natural gas export terminal stands under construction in Corpus Christi, Texas... Read More >

CGMF appoints Randall Kempner new chief executive officer; Marilu Hastings to chief innovation and strategy officer

AUSTIN (February 12, 2020)—Randall Kempner will become the CEO of the Cynthia and George... Read More >

Mitchell foundation names new CEO

Galveston native Randall Kempner has been tapped as the new CEO of the Cynthia and George Mitchell... Read More >

Respect Big Bend Initiative Honored by former First Lady Laura Bush's Texan by Nature for Innovative Approach to Conservation

  AUSTIN (April 15, 2020)—Texan by Nature (TxN), a Texas-led conservation nonprofit... Read More >

Boomtown | An 11-part Podcast Series

Record-breaking oil production in the Texas Permian Basin area has brought the energy boom to the... Read More >

Perfect timing for solar energy

Luke Metzger of Environment Texas looks up to the sky from his newly solar-paneled house in... Read More >

The credible case for a resilient water supply in Texas

In this time of crisis and deep uncertainty, one thing we must be able to depend on is our water... Read More >

Conservation and Reuse of Reclaimed Wastewater: A Marriage of Necessity

As the population of Texas increases and requires a more abundant water supply, big decisions loom... Read More >

Being FAIR During a Pandemic

As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, went viral in the traditional sense, data on COVID-19... Read More >

Statement on racial equity

All of us at the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation are grieving with the friends, family, and... Read More >

Conservation is essential to Texas’ future, and it’s time to get serious

As we head into another hot Texas summer and ponder future summers in a warming climate, the... Read More >

Respect Big Bend Coalition launched by Mitchell Foundation

The West Texas energy sprawl is continuing to expand, with little sign of stopping, and in response,... Read More >

Circle of Blue publishes "Water, Texas"

The digital print and podcast series, to publish every Monday in August, reveals how the pandemic... Read More >

All droughts are not created equal

“Every time I pray for rain, I'm afraid the Lord will give me what I deserve, not what I... Read More >

Austin in 100 Years

One of my favorite poets, Billy Collins, wrote a poem, “To a Stranger Born in Some Distant... Read More >

Mitchell L. Mathis Program for Environmental Water Economics established

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS—The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University,... Read More >

OP-ED: Disaster or deliverance? What Biden victory means for oil and gas.

In early March, I had a book signing at the Petroleum Club of Houston. The room was bathed in... Read More >

Mitchell Foundation, Rice's Baker Institute seek collaborative pathways to increase carbon capture and storage in Texas

HOUSTON—The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation is funding a project at Rice... Read More >

Solar power booms in Texas

Wind power made Texas the leading renewable-energy producer in the U.S. Now solar is fast... Read More >

Oil and gas job losses in Texas were even worse than reported

  The oil and gas industry in Texas lost more jobs than reported after the federal government... Read More >

Tax credit, environmental concerns may spur next generation of carbon capture projects

Oil, power and other heavy industries are proposing to build nearly three dozen carbon capture... Read More >

Will Texas become ground zero for electric vehicles?

The push to clean up the world's energy sector to fight climate change has always presented an... Read More >

Oxy to shift into 'carbon management company'

Occidental Petroleum said Wednesday its plan to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by... Read More >

Study: Texans' views on climate, fracking undergo major shift

A new survey finds that public opinion in Texas is shifting on climate change, fracking, and energy... Read More >

Op-ed: How Funders Can Support Clean, Reliable Water for All, not just the privileged

It’s time to redesign water systems in the United States to meet the needs of all people and... Read More >

Quantified Ventures Selects First Round of Environmental Projects in Texas Outcomes-Based Finance Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Three innovative proposals have been selected as first-round winners of the... Read More >

First round participants selected for Texas outcomes-based finance challenge—an environmental impact bond initiative

    Quantified Ventures, an outcomes-based capital firm focused on driving... Read More >

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Commitment to Advancing Water Equity and Access for All

  WASHINGTON—At the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 Meeting in New York, U.S.... Read More >

Four ways values inspire and ground our grantmaking

One reason many families create foundations is to pass down philanthropic values through the... Read More >

Republicans, Democrats finding common ground to fight climate change

Tucked into the spending measure President Donald Trump signed this week was the biggest energy bill... Read More >

Gulf Coast oil and gas expansion will generate half a billion annual tons of emissions in U.S.: report

Houston—Total annual emissions for oil, gas and petrochemical operations in Texas and... Read More >

The shale boom's spillover emissions

Speaking of climate, the Gulf Coast industrial facilities built to use surging oil and natural... Read More >

How Circle of Blue investigated freshwater issues in Texas

While 70% of our planet’s surface is covered in water, only 3% of it is fresh water –... Read More >

Earth Day 50th Anniversary Could Mark Turning Point For Texas Energy Sector

From Texas Standard: Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. When it was first... Read More >

Op-ed: If COVID-19 and the lockdown aren’t enough to stop climate change, what is?

Much of our economy has come to a standstill. For the past month, millions have been out of work,... Read More >

Texas Oil Port Hit by One-Two Punch: Falling Demand and Overproduction

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Ever since this Gulf Coast city’s leaders helped persuade the... Read More >

Texas needs to take the lead on carbon capture, say Baker Institute experts

HOUSTON (Jan. 28, 2021)—Texas, with advantages in everything from its geology to its... Read More >

The transition from fossil fuel is an opportunity for Texas

Day One of the Joe Biden administration is only a few weeks away and so are a series of executive... Read More >

'It just makes sense': Harris County turns to renewable energy to power its buildings

When Adrian Garcia was Harris County sheriff, he wanted to rethink what kind of energy the jail... Read More >

Solar offers out-of-work oil landmen place to rebuild

When oil prices crashed last year and work in the oil patch dried up, Jonathan Click found salvation... Read More >

Railroad Commissioner: Hear me out, President Biden. Don’t write off oil and gas.

As President Joe Biden took office, White House staff changed out photographs in hallways, newly... Read More >

Warren Buffet’s half-right emergency rescue plan for ERCOT

Berkshire Hathaway (”BH”) recently provided a proposal to the Texas Legislature to add... Read More >

1870 Strand Corp. and hotelier Mark Wyant enter into agreement for Hotel Galvez & Spa

1870 Strand Corp., which is owned by the estate of the late George P. Mitchell, plans to contribute... Read More >

Texas should boost clean energy innovation, not discourage investors

Renewable energy met almost 40 percent of Texas’ electricity demand in March, and during some... Read More >

Lawmakers shouldn't punish renewable energy for freeze [Op-ed]

The Texas Legislature is still trying to figure out what went wrong in February when a few days of... Read More >

Blackout aftermath: An end to Texas' renewable boom?

Wind turbines spin as a pump jack pulls up oil near Harrold, Texas, in this July 31, 2020, photo.... Read More >

As cities struggle to meet climate goals, Houston aims for lead role in energy transition

In 2017, when former President Donald Trump announced he would pull the United States out of the... Read More >

New Poll Shows 78% of Voters Support Federal Investment in Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, DC (April 29, 2021)—A new poll by the Value of Water Campaign released today shows... Read More >

Expanding Opportunities for Natural Resource Conservation in Texas

The Texas Landscape Under Threat Texas is home to a variety of unique, productive, and biologically... Read More >

Tomlinson: A West Texas road map for no-drama, sustainable energy development

Almost every new energy project — whether an oil well, wind farm, solar array or transmission... Read More >

Pat Wood helped create Texas’ electricity market, then he lost power for 36 hours in the freeze

This op-ed is part of a series published by The Dallas Morning News Opinion section to explore ideas... Read More >

Respect Big Bend releases blueprint for sustainable energy development

Light pollution is seen in Jeff Davis County in this 2016 file photo. Respect Big Bend Coalition,... Read More >

Big Bend Coalition Maps Out 'Balanced' Plan for Energy Development in Far West Texas

Big Bend Coalition Maps Out ‘Balanced’ Plan For Energy Development In Far West Texas... Read More >

REPORT | Never Again: How to prevent another major Texas electricity failure

Authors: Pat Wood III (PUCT Chairman 1995-2001, FERC Chairman 2001-2005) Robert W. Gee (PUCT... Read More >

FACT SHEET | Never Again: How to prevent another Texas electricity failure

Texas has more work to do to prevent the kinds of weather-driven blackouts that devastated the state... Read More >

Texas Can Do More to Prevent Future Blackouts, Say Former PUC Commissioners

Austin (June 3, 2021)—Texas has more work to do to prevent the kinds of weather-driven... Read More >

[OPINION] The future of renewable energy is playing out in West Texas

Click here to read at HoustonChronicle.com. As the threat of COVID-19 subsides in the United... Read More >

Texas Is Pressed to Do More To Prepare for Power Collapse

  Texas needs to revamp the procurement of “black start” resources—the... Read More >

[Opinion] We helped design ERCOT, here's how to prevent another major Texas electricity failure

  The Arctic weather system that hit the South Central United States in February 2021 led to... Read More >

Analysis: The Texas electric grid and the improvements that didn’t come

Texas lawmakers passed major bills in response to the winter storm power outages that killed... Read More >

REPORT | Evaluating Net-Zero Industrial Hubs In the United States: A Case Study of Houston

HOUSTON (June 30, 2021)—As Congress deliberates a major infrastructure bill, the Center for... Read More >

The Future of Global Energy: Houston Well-Positioned to Serve as Net-Zero Hub

A globally-renowned expert on carbon capture said this week that Houston is ideally positioned to... Read More >

Essay: A West Texas roadmap for mitigating the impact of energy development

Everyone loves renewable energy—until they don’t. In a March Gallup survey, more than... Read More >

The Heat of the Moment: Why the Time Has Come for Geothermal Energy

  It used to be that drawing heat from deep in the Earth was practical only in... Read More >

STATEMENT from former PUC of Texas Commissioners on ERCOT roadmap

Our group of former Public Utility Commission commissioners of Texas and senior staff have reviewed... Read More >

A federal tax credit could incentivize (and accelerate) the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Austin (July 14, 2021)—A current federal tax credit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by... Read More >

Wetlands Aren’t Just for the Birds—Texans Need Natural Infrastructure Along the Mid-Coast

It’s easy to overlook the quiet web of bays and barrier islands nestled between the clanking... Read More >

Energy transition could create 1.1 million jobs in Texas, report says

The transition from fossil fuels to clean energy could create more than 1.1 million jobs in Texas... Read More >

Texas grapples with gas, grid failure behind winter blackout

Texas utilities' urgent actions to halt the frozen electric grid's slide toward statewide collapse... Read More >

Randall Kempner to step down as president and CEO

  AUSTIN (August 16, 2021)—The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (CGMF) announced... Read More >

Texans pay millions for units that can restart power grid, but some went out during freeze

It was probably the shakiest 4 minutes and 23 seconds the Texas power grid ever felt.During the... Read More >

Editorial: Why the shock? GOP knew perfectly well industry would use loophole to avoid weatherization

The word of the day in the Lone Star State is “obsequious.” Its dictionary meaning is... Read More >

Building the Texas Water Data Hub from the Ground Up

      Roughly five years ago, the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation began... Read More >

Austin is forging a path to a reliable water future

Six short years ago, Austin confronted a grim water future. The long dry tail of the 2011 drought... Read More >

How Texans could bolster power grid and save money

Investing in programs that reduce Texans’ energy consumption could cut demand by the same... Read More >

Benefits, feasibility of geothermal energy in Texas examined in study

LISTEN TO THE STORY>> A new study examined the potential of geothermal energy in Texas.... Read More >

Heres why Texas is a geothermal energy is a sleeping giant

Texas is hot below ground and full of folks with oil and gas drilling expertise, so that makes it... Read More >

Texas groundwater supplies are in danger, reports say

AUSTIN—(Nov. 16, 2021) Across Texas, groundwater is being pumped out of aquifers so quickly... Read More >

Commentary: We're out of excuses; it's time to secure Texas Hill Country's fragile water resources

Here’s something we don’t get to say very often: It’s been a promising month for... Read More >

Report: Future of groundwater pumping in Texas unsustainable

The future of water looks murky in the Lone Star State. Groundwater levels are declining in Texas,... Read More >

Texas officials order power plant operators to prepare for winter hazards

LISTEN TO THE STORY>> Nearly a year since the worst blackout in Texas history, the state... Read More >

Opinion: If the oil and gas industry shrinks, what will that mean for Texas education funding? With the right economic policies, Texas can fill any funding gap with new industry.

    A shift from fossil fuel to low-carbon and renewable... Read More >

Texas is losing groundwater at nearly 2x the maximum sustained rate

Out in the ghost town of Terlingua in remote West Texas, craggy mountains loom high in the... Read More >

Texas-focused geothermal trade group launches with big energy backers

January 12, 2022 (Reuters)—A trade group seeking to promote geothermal energy in Texas will... Read More >

Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance Launches

AUSTIN (January 13, 2022)—The newly-organized Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance (TxGEA), a... Read More >

Family Philanthropy Versus Climate Change: An Opportunity of a Lifetime and Beyond

At the United Nations’ COP26 conference in November 2021, President Biden said climate... Read More >

Oil and gas, energy companies form group to kickstart geothermal power in Texas

A new coalition of energy companies is looking to kickstart geothermal power production in Texas by... Read More >

CGMF announces new dual leadership structure

Marilu Hastings, left, and Katherine Lorenz were named executive vice president and president,... Read More >

The Texas energy system faces a winter reckoning — again

    Texas political leaders say the state is ready to prevent another winter grid... Read More >

Texas' old-timey electric grid is not fixed, and politicians are propping it up

The Texas electric grid performed adequately during a routine cold snap, but if... Read More >

Statement: Never Again One Year Later | A Reliability Report Card

  Austin (February 14, 2022)—Alison Silverstein, an author of last year’s... Read More >

Opinion: Europe needs a Mitchell Plan, not a Marshall plan

As President Biden looks to provide Europe with viable options for energy security and enable our... Read More >

How the Texas economy can grow even if the state cuts carbon emissions to net-zero

  Good news, Texas: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help the... Read More >

Texas Tribune announces regional newsroom expansion

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The Texas Tribune announced today that its newsroom will expand its... Read More >

Op-Ed: The credible case for George P. Mitchell's version of a Mitchell Plan

Former Energy Secretary and Texas governor Rick Perry argued in a recent op-ed in The Hill... Read More >

Galveston Island introduces an innovative health-first, paramedicine model to navigate behavioral 911 emergencies

Galveston, Texas  (June 2, 2022)— City of Galveston officials announced plans for a... Read More >

Editorial: It's time for the state to step up on mental health care

Felicia Jeffery, center, CEO at the Gulf Coast Center, talks with Galveston Mayor Craig Brown about... Read More >

Galveston to introduce mental health response unit

GALVESTON—When someone calls 911 in Galveston, three services stand by to respond to the... Read More >

Galveston celebrates new mental health unit, hurdles remain

Tony Fabelo, left, a senior fellow of justice policy at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute,... Read More >

Texas has paths to reach net zero by 2050: report

AUSTIN—Texas could achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 via several different routes, according... Read More >

Community researchers call for equitable parks in Galveston

    Communities with green spaces tend to be healthier and... Read More >

Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth, has been losing Black residents for decades

GALVESTON—Island natives don’t have to be told that their hometown has lost Black... Read More >

CGMF's research briefing addresses the growing energy-affordability-poverty nexus in Texas

Austin (August 9, 2022)—Texas — the nation’s largest energy producer and consumer... Read More >

Climate change hitting poor Texans the hardest, experts discuss ways to fix that

    As the temps rise, many Texans are using less energy because they feel... Read More >

Telescopes are seeing farther than ever before. What's philanthropy's role?

Last month, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) beamed back the first pictures from its vantage... Read More >

Opinion: Climate bill alone won't halve U.S. emissions by 2030

The cheap cost of clean energy enables the country to make great strides. Further steps will be more... Read More >

Commentary: Drought, growth, and the future of the Hill Country

On Thursday, June 9, the North Llano River stopped flowing. On August 4, the U.S. Drought... Read More >

Opinion: Energy-Rich Texas Should Love the Climate Bill

As you might expect, Texas’ two Republican senators aren’t fans of the anti-inflation... Read More >

The enduring legacy of Cynthia Woods Mitchell at 100

Austin (September 24, 2022)— The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation celebrates the... Read More >

The enduring legacy of Cynthia Woods Mitchell 

The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Cynthia... Read More >

Commentary: CGMF remembers Cynthia Woods Mitchell at 100

    The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation celebrated the 100th anniversary of... Read More >

Sadly, a day without water is becoming all too common for Texans

For many Texans, “a day without water” is not an imagined experience—it’s... Read More >

Op-Ed: Clean water for Houston takes work

Life under a boil notice should make some basic priorities crystal clear. This week, after power... Read More >

Editorial: Wind and solar aren't the enemy in Texas. Neither is natural gas.

State regulators appear poised to shun renewable energy in its energy market reforms. Some... Read More >

Energy titans collaborate with the University of Texas' Energy Institute to solve most pressing global energy challenges

Austin (December 14, 2022)—The Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin and four... Read More >

Synergos podcast features Katherine Lorenz on purpose-driven philanthropy

Katherine Lorenz, president, The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation New York (July 1,... Read More >

Never again one year later: Texas grid is graded by expert

  AUSTIN, Texas — After 2021’s winter storm, a group of... Read More >

Geothermal energy could be off-ramp for Texas oil

AUSTIN — Four years of drilling for energy deep underground would be enough to build Texas a... Read More >

Texas researchers push for geothermal's rise from obscurity

Geothermal energy has the potential to play an enormous role in Texas' decarbonization push but has... Read More >

Texas has limitless supplies of this clean energy source but oil well fracking tech is the key

A few thousand feet below Texas’s sunbaked surface, sedimentary rock and gravel are... Read More >

Geothermal energy may soon be viable in Texas—because of fracking

  LISTEN TO THE STORY>> Hydraulic fracturing – or fracking –... Read More >

Report: Texas is the best place to lead hydrogen economy

All signs point to Texas leading the development of a hydrogen market, says one new report out of... Read More >

Dr. Emily R. Warren named senior advisor to U.S. EPA

  Austin (August 24, 2023)—Dr. Emily R. Warren, the Cynthia and George Mitchell... Read More >

How Meadows Is Diversifying Crisis Response in Texas

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is helping other municipalities launch teams that can respond... Read More >

In America, climate hawks and Big Oil alike cheer geothermal energy

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by Congress last year, offers lots of federal subsidies for... Read More >

Column: Legendary oilman George Mitchell's foundation keeps his iconoclastic spirit alive

Legendary oilman George Mitchell defied conventional wisdom and revolutionized Texas’s oil and... Read More >

The Permian Energy Development Lab unveiled

Introduced at the UT Energy Week panel discussion on Thursday at the University of Texas in Austin,... Read More >

Permian Basin To Be New Home to an Advanced Energy Research Lab

The prolific Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico and west Texas will soon be home to a new... Read More >

Healthcare foundation acknowledges past and divests from tobacco

Margaret Waldock stopped cold when she saw the names of people enslaved by one of New Jersey’s... Read More >

Regional collaboration will build on the Permian basin’s status for the global energy community

The Permian Energy Development Laboratory announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding... Read More >

Consortium introduces Permian Energy Development Lab

A new consortium is ready to take advantage of the Permian Basin’s vast expanse and position... Read More >

Sure, there are questions, but Galveston must act on housing

  There’s plenty of room to discuss, debate and argue about where... Read More >

George Mitchell’s foundation aims to usher in a new energy era in the Permian Basin

A clean energy future poses an existential threat to the Permian Basin, the prolific oil-producing... Read More >

Op-ed: White people must contribute to real emancipation

As a white woman, I haven’t experienced the fear and indignity of being treated as if... Read More >

Op-Ed: A visit to the Juneteenth Legacy Project a revelation to me

  As I walked through the exhibit at the Juneteenth Legacy Project in Galveston, Texas and... Read More >

A month in, Galveston police mental health unit sees success

A month into its existence, members of Galveston Police Department’s first mental health unit... Read More >

Blank Slate Monumnet offers powerful experience

The Blank Slate Monument, currently on display at the Mary Moody Northen Plaza in Galveston,... Read More >

National Science Foundation Awards $1M Grant to Permian Energy Development Lab

Odessa, Texas (May 11, 2023)—The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a funding award... Read More >

Galveston launches mental health crisis response teams

Galveston (May 4, 2023)—Galveston city and county officials, in partnership with the Meadows... Read More >

Water market activity is increasing across Texas, resulting in greater environmental use of water supplies

San Antonio (May 9, 2023)—The Nature Conservancy in Texas (TNC Texas), in... Read More >

Galveston's mental health unit making a difference, officials say

The woman had tried to commit suicide Wednesday night. On Thursday afternoon, she was sitting... Read More >

Grant accelerates the Permian Energy Development Lab's work

Midland College is one of several partners to share funding from the National Science Foundation... Read More >

Op-Ed: Awaken and let's fix our fine old house

My family roots in Texas date back to 1837, when the Lone Star State was the Republic of Texas. One... Read More >

Galveston using teams to respond to mental health 911 emergencies

Transcribed from an audio news report The rising cost of living has been a rising source of stress... Read More >

Odessa College, UTPB part of NSF funding opportunity

The National Science Foundation has announced a funding award to lay the groundwork for a new... Read More >

Galveston deploys new strategies for mental health crises

  On an early morning in March, Galveston police responded to a call involving a woman... Read More >

EPA brings on water expert, Hill aide

EPA is bolstering the agency's water program as it helps distribute billions of dollars under the... Read More >

16 Houstonians are among the '50 most influential Texans' in Texas Monthly's new book

President Jimmy Carter and George P. Mitchell at The Woodlands Conference in the late 1970s.... Read More >

Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday

On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Texas were told they were free. A century and a half... Read More >

EPA Brings on New Adviser to Guide Water Infrastructure Spending

The EPA’s water office has hired a top staffer at a Texas-based grantmaking foundation to help... Read More >

In Galveston, a New First Response to Mental Health Crises

After a neighbor called 911 on her, Melissa Perez explained to two responding police officers that... Read More >

The Pavilion donates 101 arts books to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the birth of its namesake, Cynthia Woods Mitchell

In keeping with the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion's mission of enhancing an appreciation for the... Read More >

Opinion: Permian Basin talent pool can lead in carbon capture and storage R&D

The Permian Basin, which spans Southeast New Mexico and West Texas, has long been an energy... Read More >

Why UT's Office of Sustainability is necessary

The University of Texas' future lies in its ability to function sustainably as a university.  ... Read More >

George P. Mitchell family's other island

In the Galveston-Houston area, the indelible mark of the George P. Mitchell family is impossible to... Read More >

University of Texas Permian Basin co-principal investigator in NSF grant

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) is part of a two-state (Texas and New Mexico),... Read More >

Op/Ed: The case for Permian optimism

A recent national news article questioned Midland’s willingness to invest in itself. Instead... Read More >

UTPB shares in $1 million grant to advance energy

Decades of experience and expertise in energy production have made the Permian Basin not only a... Read More >

Geothermal's Mitchell moment

Fervo Energy is feeling the heat. In this case, that’s not a bad thing for the Houston... Read More >

The Woodlands Launches Yearlong 50th Anniversary Celebration

THE WOODLANDS, Texas—The Woodlands, one of the most successful master-planned communities in... Read More >

Workforce housing in Galveston gains momentum, financial backing

    An organization with a mission to encourage and help finance the... Read More >

Op/Ed: Billionaire-Built Cities Would Be Better Than Nothing

      A company backed by Silicon Valley’s most powerful... Read More >

Galveston council should support workforce housing effort

  The Galveston City Council should approve a simple resolution of support for Build... Read More >

The Woodlands: One of the most unique communities turns 50

George P. Mitchell, chairman of the board, Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., hosts the... Read More >

The "Blank Slate Monument" celebrates Juneteenth in Galveston

Galveston (June 19, 2023)—Artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, the Nia Cultural Center's Sue Johnson, and... Read More >

Permian Energy Development Lab inks vital advanced energy partnerships

Odessa, Texas—(February 13, 2024)—The Permian Energy Development Lab (PEDL) has signed... Read More >

Permian Energy Development Lab kicks off community listening tour with goal of community members shaping the Lab's plans

  ODESSA, TEXAS (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)—The Permian Energy Development Lab will... Read More >

Galveston Cultural Arts District relaunches, led by Sarah Piel

  For years, Sarah Piel has applied her skills to organizing workshops and festivals,... Read More >

Economic incubator pumps up Galveston entrepreneurs

For the past six weeks, a group of 15 business owners has been meeting for an intensive, 15-week... Read More >

Galveston group launches drive to build workforce housing

  Build Galveston board member Shirlyn Thomas talks about what workforce housing is and... Read More >

Trees on UT’s campus don’t face drought due to leaky city pipes

  A view of Waller Creek on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. Credit: Jackson... Read More >

How the kids and grandkids of billionaire giving pledge signers are figuring out philanthropy

  A 300-person group of heirs to Giving Pledge signers has been sharing tips and support for... Read More >

Giving Pledge includes Next Gen members in annual gathering

The Giving Pledge is making a concentrated effort to include the children and... Read More >

Galveston, Oh Galveston

In the summer of 1980, a friend’s parents inexplicably agreed to take my Dallas high... Read More >

How fracking could unlock a clean energy future, fueling a new type of carbon-free power plant

Southern California Edison, one of the country’s largest power companies, has just announced a... Read More >

The Vision — The Woodlands Has Come a Long Way In 50 Years, Following the Blueprint of Original Founder George Mitchell

The Woodlands has come a long way in its 50 years (the big anniversary is officially this October... Read More >

Geothermal energy could outperform nuclear power: Tricks from the oil industry have produced a hot-rocks breakthrough

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY may be approaching its Mitchell moment. George Mitchell, a scrappy independent... Read More >

Life Forms Homes, started by son of Woodlands founder George Mitchell, still popular with resellers

When he began building his first set of homes — three years after his father founded the... Read More >

Energy expansion, CO2 management requires integration

Rather than an energy transformation, many experts are referring to an energy expansion that... Read More >

Q&A with Brad Bailey, newly elected chair of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

  The Woodlands, Texas—Brad Bailey has hit the second term of his... Read More >

A Pledge for the Future

Katherine Lorenz and her grandfather, philanthropist George P Mitchell It wasn’t until a... Read More >

Meet the Mega-Donors of the Future

From left, David Risher, Andrew Dayton, Jennifer Risher, and Katherine Lorenz Andrew Dayton was... Read More >

Bipartisan bill to cap unplugged Texas oil wells could create up to 150,000 new jobs

State lawmakers want to throw a major lifeline to the Texas Railroad Commission, which... Read More >

Texas Should Lead the Low-Carbon Intensity Energy Market

  Over the past year (2024-2025), in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Institute, the... Read More >

George P. Mitchell: The wildcatter who changed energy forever

If you’ve never heard of George P. Mitchell, you’ve definitely felt his impact. Whether... Read More >

Essay: Opal Lee’s Juneteenth movement won but my faith falters

The Juneteenth holiday marks the end of slavery in the United States and the Juneteenth National... Read More >

Galveston leaders visit Babcock Ranch to study its storm-resilient design ahead of hurricane season

Babcock Ranch, Florida—Ahead of the start of the 2025 hurricane season, Babcock Ranch welcomed... Read More >

Katherine Lorenz named to inaugural TIME 100 Philanthropy

AUSTIN (May 20, 2025)—Katherine Lorenz, president of the Cynthia and George Mitchell... Read More >

CGMF gifts $1.1M to the University of Houston for biomedical engineering research

UH receives $1.1 million gift from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation for potentially... Read More >

Opinion: A reality check on the Juneteenth museum proposal

Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, and deserves a world-class museum honoring this pivotal... Read More >

University of Houston receives $1.1 million gift for Usher Syndrome research

  The University of Houston has announced a $1.1 million grant from... Read More >

A Carbon Industry is Coming to Texas. Let Us Prepare for It Now.

Texas missed an opportunity this legislative session to extend our energy leadership position for... Read More >

Texas philanthropist on Trump’s nonprofit cuts: ‘It’s devastating’

Katherine Lorenz, from left, Sheridan Mitchell Lorenz, and Grant Mitchell of the Cynthia and George... Read More >

'Song in the Storm' concert held to support Central Texas flood relief

AUSTIN—More than a thousand people lined up outside the doors of the Paramount to catch the... Read More >

PEDL's Trinity Campus in Permian Basin will test direct air capture, store CO2 by 2026

Approximately 320 acres in Yoakum County are home to a flagship initiative of the Permian Energy... Read More >

Texas set to make $20 billion investment in water after voters approve Proposition 4

Texas is poised to make the largest investment in its water supply in the state’s 180-year... Read More >

Texas carbon management roadmap takes shape with safety, permitting focus

Ryan Kammer with the Great Plains Institute discusses how his organization is helping craft the... Read More >

With investment, Texas could lead on carbon capture, report finds

    The state of Texas has the potential to become a national leader in carbon... Read More >

[Statement] Texas Carbon Management Roadmap

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Texas Carbon Management Roadmap Charts Path for State to Lead Emerging... Read More >

Texas carbon management Roadmap charts path to energy transformation

  A new Roadmap from the Great Plains Institute with support from the Cynthia and George... Read More >

OPINION: What data center developers can learn from the shale boom

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ... Read More >

Marilu Hastings, Mitchell Foundation EVP, to launch an independent advisory firm, lead Permian Energy Development Lab as executive chair

    AUSTIN (May 19, 2026) — The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (CGMF)... Read More >

CGMF marks the 107th Anniversary of George P. Mitchell's birth

    AUSTIN (May 21, 2026) — Today, the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation... Read More >

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

    The Giving Pledge has evolved since Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and... Read More >

CGMF names Dr. Emily Warren Armitano vice president

  Emily Warren Armitano, David Monsma, and Katherine Lorenz lead CGMF’s Sustainability... Read More >