Comptroller Susan Combs and other officials on Monday testified in favor of a plan that aims to balance protecting a rare lizard species and maintaining oil and gas production in its habitat, in case the species is placed on the endangered species list.

If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifies the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as endangered, the Texas Conservation Plan would allow oil and gas operations to continue under certain conditions that protect the lizards. The Texas Association of Business, the Texas Oil and Gas Association and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were among those who devised ...

Full Story