Corpus Christi, one of Texas’s largest cities, is at the heart of the nation’s energy surge, but it’s facing a critical water shortage as major energy companies consume much of the available supply.

Big names in the industry, including Tesla and ExxonMobil, alongside local refineries, are tapping heavily into the city’s dwindling water reserves. Officials caution that this could deplete Corpus Christi’s water supply by late next year, potentially leading to emergency measures.

This situation follows years of increasing drought and rising industrial water demands, prompting the Corpus Christi City Council to abandon a contentious $1.2 billion desalination project planned for the Inner Harbor. City leaders decided to halt the project due to escalating costs and environmental concerns.