Background
Where politics, government and energy intersect.
Texas Drillers Get Big Tax Breaks
During a boom in drilling and fracking for oil and gas, are companies paying their fair share?
Latest Posts
January 9, 2012
January 6, 2012
Tiger Prawns Roar into the Gulf of Mexico
The Asian Tiger Prawn can grow over a foot long. It’s a species from the Western Pacific Ocean that first showed up off the coast of Alabama in 2006, when a single, solitary prawn was reported. If the story ended there, we wouldn’t have much to talk about. But it doesn’t. “The next year in […]
Tiger Prawns Roar into the Gulf of Mexico
The Asian Tiger Prawn can grow over a foot long. It’s a species from the Western Pacific Ocean that first showed up off the coast of Alabama in 2006, when a single, solitary prawn was reported. If the story ended there, we wouldn’t have much to talk about. But it doesn’t. “The next year in […]
January 5, 2012
Rick Perry and the Troubles Back Home
With Perry’s campaign diminished, the governor might start wondering about the drought and other challenges that await him in Texas.
Rick Perry and the Troubles Back Home
With Perry’s campaign diminished, the governor might start wondering about the drought and other challenges that await him in Texas.
January 2, 2012
Debating the Keystone XL Pipeline
Recently, we wrote about the difficulties in finding a route for the Keystone XL pipeline from the oil sands of Canada through environmentally-sensitive areas of Nebraska to refineries in Texas. While the company behind the pipeline looks for a route that will appease Nebraska’s state government (and await a decision from the Obama administration by the […]
Debating the Keystone XL Pipeline
Recently, we wrote about the difficulties in finding a route for the Keystone XL pipeline from the oil sands of Canada through environmentally-sensitive areas of Nebraska to refineries in Texas. While the company behind the pipeline looks for a route that will appease Nebraska’s state government (and await a decision from the Obama administration by the […]
December 19, 2011
What is Going On with the Keystone XL Pipeline?
It’s been a busy weekend for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and you might be wondering where things stand. The answer: chaos. First, a little history. The pipeline is a 1,700-mile behemoth that is currently in the planning stages. It would take crude oil from Canada (harvested from the country’s tar sands) to refineries in […]
What is Going On with the Keystone XL Pipeline?
It’s been a busy weekend for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and you might be wondering where things stand. The answer: chaos. First, a little history. The pipeline is a 1,700-mile behemoth that is currently in the planning stages. It would take crude oil from Canada (harvested from the country’s tar sands) to refineries in […]
December 16, 2011
Fracking Report Reverberates in Texas
A report on fracking and water contamination from the Environmental Protection Agency sent shockwaves through the industry this week. What does it mean for drilling in Texas?
Fracking Report Reverberates in Texas
A report on fracking and water contamination from the Environmental Protection Agency sent shockwaves through the industry this week. What does it mean for drilling in Texas?
December 13, 2011
What’s in Fracking Fluid? Texas Will Now Have an Answer
The Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees drilling in the state, passed new rules requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) today. The rules were proposed by the state legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry this summer. Companies will have to disclose on the website FracFocus what […]
What’s in Fracking Fluid? Texas Will Now Have an Answer
The Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees drilling in the state, passed new rules requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) today. The rules were proposed by the state legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry this summer. Companies will have to disclose on the website FracFocus what […]
December 8, 2011
PUC Suggests Eliminating Cap on Electricity Prices
One member of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, concerned that electricity generators need more incentives to build additional power plants, suggested eliminating the cap on prices charged during peak times. “I’m not prejudging it. I’ve got no particular problem raising the system wide offer cap, or eliminating the cap or adjusting the cap on peak […]
PUC Suggests Eliminating Cap on Electricity Prices
One member of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, concerned that electricity generators need more incentives to build additional power plants, suggested eliminating the cap on prices charged during peak times. “I’m not prejudging it. I’ve got no particular problem raising the system wide offer cap, or eliminating the cap or adjusting the cap on peak […]
December 7, 2011
Live-Blogging the TCEQ Commissioners’ Meeting
Today the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is holding their monthly commissioners’ meeting, where they vote on enforcement and regulations. Some important items are on the agenda today, from new regulations to water restrictions. We’ll be live-blogging the meeting below:
Live-Blogging the TCEQ Commissioners’ Meeting
Today the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is holding their monthly commissioners’ meeting, where they vote on enforcement and regulations. Some important items are on the agenda today, from new regulations to water restrictions. We’ll be live-blogging the meeting below:
December 2, 2011
Power Plant Shutdowns, Delays Could Mean More Blackouts Next Year
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees much of the state’s power, released projections this week for grid reliability over the coming years. ERCOT says rolling blackouts like the ones we had last winter remain a possibility. The report includes a list of energy projects that it expected to be online by now but […]
Power Plant Shutdowns, Delays Could Mean More Blackouts Next Year
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees much of the state’s power, released projections this week for grid reliability over the coming years. ERCOT says rolling blackouts like the ones we had last winter remain a possibility. The report includes a list of energy projects that it expected to be online by now but […]