INSIDER
“Should we be worried?”: Another well blowout in West Texas has a town smelling of rotten eggs
Read full article: “Should we be worried?”: Another well blowout in West Texas has a town smelling of rotten eggsExperts warn that more blowouts should be expected unless oil and gas companies change their methods.
Texas proposes first new rules for oilfield waste in 40 years
Read full article: Texas proposes first new rules for oilfield waste in 40 yearsWhile environmentalists say the new rules don’t do enough to protect groundwater, oil and gas operators are contesting stricter requirements for waste pits near wells.
Texas regulators limit oil and gas disposal wells in bid to reduce earthquakes in West Texas
Read full article: Texas regulators limit oil and gas disposal wells in bid to reduce earthquakes in West TexasInjecting saltwater back into the ground “is likely contributing to recent seismic activity,” the Railroad Commission of Texas has said.
Midland fights disposal of oilfield wastewater near its drinking supply
Read full article: Midland fights disposal of oilfield wastewater near its drinking supplyAs oil and gas companies struggle to dispose of their wastewater in the Permian Basin, the city of Midland is challenging applications for disposal wells near one of its drinking water sources.
Oil and gas companies spill millions of gallons of wastewater in Texas
Read full article: Oil and gas companies spill millions of gallons of wastewater in TexasAn exclusive Inside Climate News analysis found that companies have spilled nearly 150 million gallons of toxic, highly saline wastewater in Texas over the last decade.
Oilfield companies helped to craft Texas’ new waste rules for 2 years before the public got to see them
Read full article: Oilfield companies helped to craft Texas’ new waste rules for 2 years before the public got to see themThe effort to update the state’s oilfield waste disposal rules was initiated by Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright, one of the state’s top oil and gas regulators who has investments in the industry.
For Texans, fighting state-regulated oilfield waste dumps can be a costly, do-it-yourself effort
Read full article: For Texans, fighting state-regulated oilfield waste dumps can be a costly, do-it-yourself effortSome Texans who challenge oil and gas waste sites must spend significant sums and time on investigating what they say the Texas Railroad Commission should examine. Will new regulations for handling waste increase oversight or just maintain the status quo?
Crews began cleanup process after crude oil spill in Dayton community; Residents say they’re concerned about their health
Read full article: Crews began cleanup process after crude oil spill in Dayton community; Residents say they’re concerned about their healthIn less than 24 hours, residents in a small community in Liberty County say their voices are finally being heard after a crude oil spill damaged their properties, well water supply and killed their livestock.
A semi-nude video, corruption allegations and a fatal crash roil GOP primary for Texas Railroad Commission
Read full article: A semi-nude video, corruption allegations and a fatal crash roil GOP primary for Texas Railroad CommissionThe oldest state regulatory agency, in charge of how oil and gas are produced and transported, doesn’t typically attract much attention at election time. This year is different.
Texas pipeline company walks back threat to cut off gas to power plants
Read full article: Texas pipeline company walks back threat to cut off gas to power plantsThe new development ends the immediate threat that up to 400,000 customers could lose power, but the underlying financial dispute between two energy giants stemming from last February's winter storm remains unresolved.
400,000 Texas homes and businesses could lose power over financial dispute between energy companies
Read full article: 400,000 Texas homes and businesses could lose power over financial dispute between energy companiesVistra Corp. asked the Railroad Commission of Texas to prevent Energy Transfer LP from cutting off fuel to five of its power plants on Monday. Vistra said the power supply to at least 400,000 homes and businesses could be impacted.
Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winter
Read full article: Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winterAs state regulators and the companies that power the grid take steps to avoid another catastrophe like February’s winter storm, climate experts say this winter will likely be milder.
Consumers should expect gas bills to increase as providers recoup $3.4B loss due to freeze
Read full article: Consumers should expect gas bills to increase as providers recoup $3.4B loss due to freezeLocal energy experts predict that Texas natural gas consumers should likely expert an increase in their energy bills next year as state leadership and the Railroad Commission of Texas have recently approved measures to allow eight major natural gas providers to recoup $3.4 billion in significant losses due to the storm.
Oil industry helped handpick members of Texas advisory group for electric grid reliability, emails show
Read full article: Oil industry helped handpick members of Texas advisory group for electric grid reliability, emails showOil and gas industry groups provided a list of names to the Railroad Commission for appointment to a council formed in response to the February power crisis. All four of the industry's top choices were selected.
Republican Jim Wright ahead of Chrysta Castañeda in Texas Railroad Commission race
Read full article: Republican Jim Wright ahead of Chrysta Castañeda in Texas Railroad Commission raceJames "Jim" Wright defeated incumbent Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton in the Republican Primary. Republican Jim Wright had a solid lead over Democrat Chrysta Castañeda early Wednesday morning in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, according to unofficial results from Decision Desk HQ. The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates the state's massive oil and gas industry, and its elected, three-member board has been entirely Republican for at least 25 years. Wright, who owns an oilfield waste services company, shockingly defeated the incumbent railroad commissioner, Ryan Sitton, in the March primary. Sitton, elected in 2014, raised significantly more money and had the support of top state leaders including Gov.
Texas Democrats think a seat on the oil and gas regulating board could be their best chance of winning statewide in two decades
Read full article: Texas Democrats think a seat on the oil and gas regulating board could be their best chance of winning statewide in two decadesDemocrat Chrysta Castañeda and Republican Jim Wright face off for a seat on the three-member Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the state's oil and gas industry. The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates the state's massive oil and gas industry, and its elected, three-member board has been entirely Republican for at least 25 years. Wright said he is running to protect the state’s oil and gas industry and keep Texans employed. “They put their faith in TV, but I’ll put my faith in the people of Texas,” Wright said in an interview. Oil and gas producers say it's because of a shortage of pipelines, while environmentalists say it's due to economics because natural gas is far cheaper than oil.