Lawmakers said they have already passed laws addressing all but one of the deficiencies the investigation found.
Carlos Nogueras Ramos
Carlos Nogueras Ramos is a regional reporter based in Odessa. Carlos joined The Texas Tribune in 2023 as a corps member with Report for America. Carlos tells the stories of Texas from the vast energy-rich Permian Basin region. Before the Tribune, Carlos spent time in Philadelphia writing about local politics, including the city’s 100th mayoral election. A Spanish speaker, Carlos was one of the few Latino reporters on the campaign trail, covering the most expensive primary election to date in Philly. He is a proud Puerto Rico native, born and raised in Cayey. He studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Puerto Rico.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture wars
Republican Bo French is keeping Islam, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues at the fore of his campaign for Texas’ oil regulatory agency. Democratic foe Jon Rosenthal is betting on his technical expertise.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Bo French defeats Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in GOP primary runoff
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows all supported French’s opponent.
Posted in
Energy
In the Permian Basin, AI takes on big oil’s dirty water problem
Facing limited options, oil industry turns to AI to handle wastewater from oil production. Producers discovered other uses to streamline the process.
Posted in
Politics
Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donors
In the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.
Posted in
Politics
Ken Paxton demanded Odessa freeze its tax hike. Then, he went silent.
Local officials in the West Texas city said they are legally unable to comply with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s orders.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas Railroad Commission GOP runoff: Who is running and what to know
The May 26 runoff pits incumbent Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright, who’s pitching himself as a “proven advocate for Texas energy,” against Bo French, who has cast himself as a “MAGA conservative.”
Posted in
Environment
Texas needs at least $174 billion to avoid water crisis, state says
That new amount is more than double the amount predicted four years ago. The new forecast comes as supply is already drying up.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Bo French was invited to Midland GOP forum, despite candidate’s claims he wasn’t
A Midland County Republican Women official said they tried for months to extend an invitation to French, who is in a runoff with incumbent Jim Wright, but were unable to reach him.
Posted in
Energy
Record oil production in West Texas helps stabilize U.S. supply amid Iran war
Production in West Texas has helped the U.S. stabilize its demand for foreign oil amid the Iran war, despite drilling fewer oil wells.
