Search results for 'railroad commission'
Texans take pride in the their private property. Over 95 percent of land in the Lone Star State is privately owned. And sometimes, pipeline companies want to use that land for their projects. Typically a pipeline company will reach an individual agreement with a landowner on compensation, but in the event of a failure to […]
Most Candidates for Texas’ Oil and Gas Regulator Want Changes Take a peek a little ways down your ballot in the primaries this year and you’ll see the race for a spot on the Railroad Commission, the state’s powerful oil and gas regulator. We’ve been working to get the candidates to “eat their vegetables” when […]
Questioning the Candidates for Texas’ Oil and Gas Regulator The Republican race for a seat opening up on the Railroad Commission of Texas has focused on issues that have little or nothing to do with the commission: abortion, gun rights, and even Obamacare. That’s because — and we’re writing this now for what seems like […]
In an often-quoted scene from the 2007 movie There Will Be Blood, sociopathic oilman Daniel Plainview meets his rival for the last time. If oil fields are like milkshakes, he says, it pays to have a straw that reaches all the way across the room “and starts to drink your milkshake.” “I. Drink. Your. Milkshake,” […]
Scientists have known that man can create earthquakes by injecting fluids into the ground for decades. But if you listen to the people campaigning to regulate the Texas oil and gas industry, you may think the idea was in serious dispute. Every Republican party candidate this primary season for the Railroad Commission denies that there […]
From the Texas Tribune: At a meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference last week in St. Louis, Charlie Kirk, executive director of the free-market group Turning Point USA, introduced state Rep. Stefani Carter as a leader who will one day prompt folks to muse, “Ah, I remember when I saw her.” For most public office-seekers, being […]
The Texas Railroad Commission passed a long-awaited rule on Friday to strengthen the construction of oil and gas wells. The rule, known as the “well-integrity rule,” passed by a unanimous vote among the three commissioners. It will take effect next January, and will update the commission’s requirements for the process of drilling wells, putting pipe down […]
From the Texas Tribune: If lawmakers do not act soon, the agency that regulates oil and gas in Texas could disappear. A legislative review of that agency, the Texas Railroad Commission, failed this session, and a measure that would keep the agency alive until 2015 or later doesn’t include any reference to the agency. “It […]
A name change and several ethics reforms on the table this legislative session for the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees oil and gas drilling in the state, have died. The Texas Energy Report was the first with the news, tweeting this afternoon: “RAILROAD COMMISSION SUNSET DEAD FOR THIS SESSION.” After a lengthy review of […]
From the Texas Tribune:Â After 40 minutes of discussion Thursday about a bill that would rename the Railroad Commission of Texas and make other significant changes to the agency that regulates the oil and gas industry, the Senate passed the measure with a 21-0 vote. Senate Bill 212, carried by state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, […]
Update, May 2, 2013: The Senate Bill passed on the Senate floor today, and now heads to the House. Original story, April 24, 2013:Â SB 212, which would change the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Energy Resources Commission passed out committee today. The bill would also restrict campaign contributions for […]
StateImpact seeks to inform and engage local communities with broadcast and online news focused on how state government decisions affect your lives.
Learn More »