Texas Drought Threatens Industrial Hotspot for Exxon, Koch (1)

Water shortages in South Texas are posing major risks to a fast-growing industrial hub that’s crucial to President Donald Trump’s twin goals of dominating global energy markets and slashing trade deficits.

Corpus Christi, a Gulf Coast city 400 miles (640 kilometers) south of Dallas, is in the grip of a worsening drought that’s already prompted lawn-watering bans and warnings that harsher restrictions may be necessary. Seven years of abnormally dry weather coincided with rapid industrial growth in the nation’s biggest oil-export hub, stretching supplies of fresh water.

Municipal leaders are at odds over what to do. The city ...