INSIDER
State oil regulator requests $100 million to tackle West Texas well blowouts
Read full article: State oil regulator requests $100 million to tackle West Texas well blowoutsAbandoned wells in the Permian Basin are increasingly erupting with briney, polluted water. The Texas Railroad Commission says it needs emergency money to respond.
Sarah Stogner announces second campaign for the Texas Railroad Commission
Read full article: Sarah Stogner announces second campaign for the Texas Railroad CommissionAfter losing in a Republican runoff last year, Stogner said she plans to challenge incumbent Chair Christi Craddick as a member of the Forward Party.
The U.S. government hoped companies would want to build wind farms off the Texas coast. No one did.
Read full article: The U.S. government hoped companies would want to build wind farms off the Texas coast. No one did.Offshore wind advocates blame Texas’ antagonistic political climate for the lack of offers. A lease off the coast of Louisiana received two bids.
Company that wants to build oilfield dump in East Texas gave $53,750 in campaign donations to regulators
Read full article: Company that wants to build oilfield dump in East Texas gave $53,750 in campaign donations to regulatorsMcBride Operating LLC and its owner, Joseph McBride, contributed to the political campaigns of the three commissioners on the Texas Railroad Commission now considering his request.
Wayne Christian retracts “only Christian on the ballot” slogan after outcry from Jewish opponent Luke Warford
Read full article: Wayne Christian retracts “only Christian on the ballot” slogan after outcry from Jewish opponent Luke WarfordChristian, who’s running for reelection to the Texas Railroad Commission, said he did not realize Warford was Jewish and would stop using the slogan, which he’s used for previous campaigns.
Luke Warford tries to break the Republican hold on the Railroad Commission by focusing on the power grid and climate change
Read full article: Luke Warford tries to break the Republican hold on the Railroad Commission by focusing on the power grid and climate changeOne of three seats on the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry, is up for grabs this election. Democrat Luke Warford is betting his campaign on the issues of electric grid reliability, regulatory enforcement and reducing emissions.
Sarah Stogner, former GOP candidate for railroad commissioner, backs Democratic nominee in November’s election
Read full article: Sarah Stogner, former GOP candidate for railroad commissioner, backs Democratic nominee in November’s electionStogner, who lost in a Republican primary runoff to incumbent Wayne Christian, said she’s endorsing Luke Warford.
Texas gas companies face fines up to $1 million for failing to prepare for extreme weather
Read full article: Texas gas companies face fines up to $1 million for failing to prepare for extreme weatherCritics are skeptical about whether the new rules by the Railroad Commission will prevent another catastrophe like the power grid disaster in February 2021.
Wayne Christian secures GOP nomination for another term on the commission regulating Texas’ oil and gas industry
Read full article: Wayne Christian secures GOP nomination for another term on the commission regulating Texas’ oil and gas industryChristian beat Sarah Stogner in the Republican primary runoff for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission after she accused him of corruption during the campaign.
End of the Bush era? Democratic men in trouble? 5 things to watch during Texas’ primary runoffs
Read full article: End of the Bush era? Democratic men in trouble? 5 things to watch during Texas’ primary runoffsTuesday’s elections will solidify the major parties’ statewide tickets and have national political implications.
West Texas rancher pours $2 million into Sarah Stogner’s underdog campaign for statewide oil and gas board seat
Read full article: West Texas rancher pours $2 million into Sarah Stogner’s underdog campaign for statewide oil and gas board seatAshley Watt, who owns a 75,000-acre ranch in the Permian Basin, is helping bankroll a substantial TV ad buy in the final two weeks before Stogner faces the Railroad Commission’s chair, Wayne Christian, in the runoff.
In Railroad Commission runoff, GOP candidates court North Texas voters — who want them to change agency’s confusing name
Read full article: In Railroad Commission runoff, GOP candidates court North Texas voters — who want them to change agency’s confusing nameIncumbent Wayne Christian and oil and gas lawyer Sarah Stogner pitched voters in Paris, Texas, ahead of the May 24 election. Early voting runs May 16-20.
Analysis: A power test for Texas voters
Read full article: Analysis: A power test for Texas votersAfter last winter’s near-statewide electric blackouts, Texas lawmakers went after regulators they deemed responsible but tiptoed around the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas. Now voters have a chance, if they want it, to send the state a message.
Wayne Christian, incumbent commissioner overseeing oil and gas industry, is headed to a runoff
Read full article: Wayne Christian, incumbent commissioner overseeing oil and gas industry, is headed to a runoffThe chair of the Texas Railroad Commission fell short of winning at least 50% of the vote and will face oil and gas attorney Sarah Stogner in May.
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.
How Texas’ power grid failed in 2021 — and who’s responsible for preventing a repeat
Read full article: How Texas’ power grid failed in 2021 — and who’s responsible for preventing a repeatIn the state’s power grid, electricity and natural gas are co-dependent. Here’s how the winter storm last year broke the system.
Analysis: March primaries in Texas lead to November — some with a stop in May
Read full article: Analysis: March primaries in Texas lead to November — some with a stop in MayEarly voting starts on Monday, and the primaries are on March 1. But some recent polling foreshadows May runoffs for some offices high on the Texas ballot.
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 regulators pass rule aimed at preventing natural gas producers from having power cut off during future winter storms
Read full article: Texas regulators pass rule aimed at preventing natural gas producers from having power cut off during future winter stormsBut Texas oil and gas regulators addressed only part of the problem that led millions of Texans to lose power for days after February’s winter storm, and gas producers likely won’t be required to weatherize until 2023.
When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s image
Read full article: When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s imageWhen the power went out for Marsha Hendler on Feb. 15, she rushed to her downtown San Antonio office to ride out the winter storm. Thankful to find the electricity and heat still on, she typed out an email to the elected officials who regulate her small, independent oil and gas company.