Energy and Data Center Reporter

Houston Chronicle; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

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.

Qualifications

• Approximately 5 years of relevant reporting experience.
• Proven track record of breaking news and exclusive reporting.
• Ability to translate technical and regulatory issues into clear journalism.
• Curiosity about how industries, markets and government intersect.
• Comfort digging into public records and financial documents.
• Connect corporate and policy decisions to real-world impact.

Responsibilities

• Cover Texas’ electrical grid, power markets and rising demand from data centers.
• Break exclusive news on utilities, grid operators, regulators, energy firms.
• Develop deep sourcing across energy industry, agencies, lawmakers.
• Produce accountability journalism on grid reliability and ratepayer impacts.
• Explain complex energy topics in clear terms for readers.
• Use public records, filings, data analysis to uncover stories.
• Publish breaking news, scoops, and long-term accountability projects.

Skills

Investigative reporting

Source development

Public records research

Data analysis

Story telling

Job description

Job Description

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.

Job Description

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.

About the Houston Chronicle

The Houston Chronicle, recognized for its Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, serves its 2.3 million residents with content and marketing solutions across two of Houston’s largest websites — HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com , along with our magazine, television and newspaper brands. Our mission is to spark conversations that inspire action to create a better Houston. All our content and the innovative business solutions we provide invite Houstonians to join conversations about a community we’ve been committed to covering and helping prosper for more than 120 years. The community we all call home.

About Hearst Newspapers

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital‑only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger – your headline awaits.