Texas Energy & Data Center Beat 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

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.