In 2017, Andy Uhler, a sustainability reporter for the public radio show “Marketplace,” found himself in Midland, Texas, exploring the complex relationship between the oil and gas industry and climate change. During his interviews, Uhler noticed an unsettling trend: the negative portrayal of energy workers. He recalls, “There’s such an implication that they are the bad guy, but it’s their job. That’s the way they make a living. So, we’re kind of calling them out for just doing the work that they do.”
This experience prompted Uhler to reflect on the empathy often missing in public discourse surrounding energy and the environment. He realized the necessity of addressing the concerns of these workers while asking critical questions about their impact on climate change. Uhler observed, “I was trying to figure out how to be empathetic while at the same time asking the right questions and asking the questions that need to be asked.”
With this objective in mind, Uhler crafted a pitch for his editors at “Marketplace,” advocating for dedicated coverage of the Texas energy sector. He argued, “For an energy reporter, if you have a byline that says ‘Texas,’ there’s an inherent legitimacy that comes with it. From Austin, I can be in the Permian Basin in five hours and talk to those voices. We needed to diversify the voices we were hearing on the radio. It’s what folks criticize the media about all the time — coastal elites.”
Uhler aimed to understand what frontline energy workers were truly concerned about, emphasizing the importance of hearing from communities directly affected by energy policies and practices. He remarked, “We need to hear their voices. I can call a whole bunch of people at Yale and Princeton, and that’s great, and they do wonderful work and great research. But hearing from the people who are actually going to be affected by the policies — that was the goal.”
After spending more than seven years at “Marketplace,” Uhler transitioned to the University of Texas, where he continues to drive the mission of telling human stories from the Texas energy landscape. As a journalism fellow at UT’s Energy Institute, he produces the energy podcast “Phases and Stages,” a title that cleverly references Willie Nelson, reflecting his musical journalism roots.
Those familiar with Texas public radio likely recognize Uhler’s voice, having started his career at KUT while still a student at the University of Texas. Upon graduating in 2005, he reported for various programs, including “Texas Music Matters” and “Texas Standard.” Uhler also achieved a master’s degree in global policy studies from the prestigious LBJ School of Public Affairs in 2014. During his studies, he gained practical experience as a legislative aide on energy and environmental issues for state Rep. Lyle Larson, focusing on water allocation amidst severe drought.
As he reflects on the dialogue surrounding energy, Uhler points out a critical issue: a lack of constructive conversation. He insists, “The big argument for me was that we weren’t having a conversation. Until you have that, you’re actually not going to be progressing forward — you’re just going to be doing whatever you can to stop the other side from doing what it wants to do.”
Recognizing the complexity of energy topics, Uhler concluded that a podcast format would allow for deeper exploration of these issues. He stated, “Part of the problem is that this stuff is really complicated. If you give me a minute and a half on a radio program to explain carbon capture and storage, I’m not going to get you there. I can give you some glimpses and tell you to check out this paper, but you’re not going to do it. For me, it was about having more space and more time.”
Uhler also emphasizes the emotional ties many individuals have to the energy industry, rooted not just in their jobs but in their family histories. He recounted, “There are a lot of folks in Midland I talked to who are sixth-generation mineral rights holders. I said, ‘I need you all to tell us what that’s like. Even if you have some people that are going to disagree with you on oil and gas, you need us to understand that you’re talking about your livelihood and your family history.’”
Currently, Uhler has released four episodes of “Phases and Stages,” each designed to fit the average American commute, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes. He explains, “I want to make this listenable to you on your way to work.”
While reporting, he consciously avoids revealing too much about his background, limiting his introduction to Fort Worth to mitigate any biases. Uhler explains, “I only reference being from Fort Worth. I never say anything about Austin!”
He asserts that the issue is not that urban areas in Texas lack coverage; rather, rural towns often have their stories overlooked. Uhler observes, “Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston — their news gets out there. On the other hand, you don’t have a whole lot of half-hour or hour programs dedicated to Port Arthur. There are so many cool stories and cool characters.”
One particularly enlightening episode focused on Rockdale, a small town northeast of Austin. Uhler learned about Rockdale’s historical significance, highlighting its past as home to the nation’s largest aluminum smelter in the 1960s due to local coal resources. He was surprised to discover the town’s deep connection to its energy industry legacy.
At a local gas station frequented by residents, he engaged with a group of men who shared their personal stories of working in the area’s energy sector. Uhler highlighted a theme of collective nostalgia and bitterness over the decline of once-thriving plants, noting the familiar narrative of company towns that have been abandoned.
Further research revealed unexpected connections between Rockdale and major tech developments, particularly the siting of Samsung Austin Semiconductor in nearby Taylor, Texas. Uhler explained, “Samsung was securing energy because of Rockdale’s old power infrastructure such as substations and transmission lines, which is why bitcoin miners are out there too. It has water because the Alcoa plant had built reservoirs for cooling their facility.”
His episodes also explore the fierce rivalry between Odessa and Midland, mirroring the classic Texas football rivalry depicted in “Friday Night Lights.” Uhler reflects on the socio-economic divides within energy sectors, comparing Odessa to Midland as akin to Fort Worth’s relationship with Dallas.
Throughout his reporting, Uhler has faced surprising historical revelations, like the significant cultural past of Port Arthur, where stars like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra once performed. He notes how the city, once a thriving place due to the petrochemical industry, has now become a shadow of its former self.
Uhler regularly engages communities on the responsibilities of industries that extract resources, often eliciting thoughtful responses. He recounts, “I pushed the community on this a lot and asked, how much responsibility does this big industry have that’s taking these resources from you? More often than not, the conversation ends up being, ‘Well, they try. They give us money for a really cool Christmas parade.’”
In his discussions, Uhler advocates for greater corporate investment in local infrastructure and community resilience. He emphasizes, “I keep coming at this with: industry needs to give back more to these towns, and I think industry, to its credit, points me to things that they’ve done. It still feels like they could do more.”
Looking to the future, Uhler has curated a rich roadmap for “Phases and Stages,” planning three seasons of 10 episodes each. The inaugural season serves as a travelogue, collecting diverse narratives from different Texas regions. Uhler remarked, “Texas is so big that I could have done all 10 episodes of the first season in Southeast Texas. But there are huge wind farms outside of Amarillo, and those people up in the Panhandle are not hearing their voices on the radio or on podcasts. That needs to change.”
Through this journey, Uhler is committed to bridging the gaps in Texas energy discourse, ensuring that the voices of all communities and individuals — not just those in the cities — are heard and valued.
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