INSIDER
A West Texas lawmaker wants to redirect millions of tax dollars to plug abandoned wells, curb emissions
Read full article: A West Texas lawmaker wants to redirect millions of tax dollars to plug abandoned wells, curb emissionsThe proposal comes after the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency said it needs more money to plug wells that are in some instances erupting.
Texas Republicans want to shield oil and gas from federal climate regulations. Their bill would have little impact, experts say.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want to shield oil and gas from federal climate regulations. Their bill would have little impact, experts say.The bill would direct Texas agencies to not enforce federal regulations on the oil industry if there’s not a similar state regulation. But it likely wouldn’t apply to most federal environmental rules, experts and lawmakers said.
Texas Senate seeks increased penalties on polluters as it renews state’s environmental agency
Read full article: Texas Senate seeks increased penalties on polluters as it renews state’s environmental agencyThe bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to focus enforcement on repeat violators and increase public outreach.
Broadband, jobs, school vouchers and more: State, local leaders reflect on the topics driving conversations in rural Texas
Read full article: Broadband, jobs, school vouchers and more: State, local leaders reflect on the topics driving conversations in rural TexasLawmakers also discussed their stances on the issues impacting the region the most in a two-day event hosted by The Texas Tribune.
Texas bans storage of highly radioactive waste, but a West Texas facility may get a license from the feds anyway
Read full article: Texas bans storage of highly radioactive waste, but a West Texas facility may get a license from the feds anywayThe new law may soon be in conflict with federal regulators. A decision from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on one company’s license could come as early as Monday.
State lawmakers again try to ban most dangerous nuclear waste as feds consider allowing it at West Texas site
Read full article: State lawmakers again try to ban most dangerous nuclear waste as feds consider allowing it at West Texas siteA failed regular session bill sought to give a financial break to a West Texas nuclear waste disposal company. Now, lawmakers have removed what opponents called a giveaway and are again trying to pass a bill to stop highly radioactive materials from coming to Texas.