Energy and Data Center Reporter
Required skills
- energy
- data center
- electrical grid
- power markets
- utilities
- regulators
- technology companies
- public records
- regulatory filings
- data analysis
Nice to have
- infrastructure
- government
- climate
- financial documents
- datasets
Role summary
The Houston Chronicle is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover the intersection of energy, the electrical grid, and the expansion of data centers in Texas. This role, based in the Business desk, will examine how increasing power demand impacts the state's electric system, economy, and communities. The reporter will focus on grid adaptation post-2021 winter storm, utility and regulator responses, and the influence of data center growth on energy planning. Key responsibilities include breaking news, developing sources across various sectors, and producing accountability journalism that explains complex energy and technology issues to a broad audience. The ideal candidate has approximately 5 years of relevant reporting experience, a track record of breaking news and exclusive reporting, and the ability to translate technical and regulatory issues into compelling stories.
The Houston Chronicle is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover one of the most consequential stories shaping Texas’ future: the intersection of energy, the electrical grid and the rapid expansion of data centers. Based on our Business desk, this reporter will examine how unprecedented demand for power is transforming the state’s electric system, economy and communities.
This beat sits at the crossroads of business, public policy, infrastructure and climate. The reporter will cover the power industry with a particular focus on how Texas’ electrical grid is adapting after the 2021 winter storm, how utilities and regulators are responding to growing demand, and how the explosive growth of data centers is reshaping energy planning across the state.
We are looking for a journalist who thrives on accountability reporting, develops deep sources and consistently breaks news. This reporter will move beyond corporate announcements to explain who benefits, who bears the costs and how decisions made by utilities, regulators, technology companies and elected officials affect Texans.
Key Responsibilities
- Cover Texas’ electrical grid, power markets and the rapidly growing demand for electricity driven by data centers and other large industrial users.
- Break exclusive news on utilities, grid operators, regulators, energy companies and technology firms.
- Develop deep sourcing across the energy industry, state agencies, utilities, lawmakers, environmental groups and major technology companies.
- Produce accountability journalism that examines grid reliability, infrastructure investments, ratepayer impacts, regulatory decisions and resilience planning.
- Explain complex energy and technology issues in clear, accessible ways that help readers understand how they affect daily life.
- Use public records, regulatory filings, data analysis and investigative reporting techniques to uncover exclusive stories.
- Produce a mix of breaking news, scoops, utility content that breaks down complex topics and longer-term accountability projects.
- We’re Looking for Someone Who
- Has approximately 5 years of relevant reporting experience, preferably covering energy, business, infrastructure, government or another complex policy beat.
- Has a track record of breaking news, cultivating sources and producing exclusive reporting.
- Can translate complicated technical and regulatory issues into compelling journalism for a broad audience.
- Is naturally curious about how industries, markets and government intersect and can identify stories others overlook.
- Is comfortable digging into public records, financial documents, regulatory filings and datasets.
- Understands that business reporting is ultimately about people and can connect corporate and policy decisions to their real-world impact.
