Hegar’s impending departure from the comptroller’s seat creates a rare opening for one of Texas’ coveted statewide offices.
Christi Craddick
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2024 Texas Elections
Republican Christi Craddick reelected to Railroad Commission, the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency
The three-member board oversees Texas’ oil and gas industry. The agency has faced criticism over safety concerns linked to fracking, well blowouts and groundwater protection.
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2024 Texas Elections
Level of oil and gas regulation at heart of Texas Railroad Commission race
Incumbent Christi Craddick is touting the health of the Texas energy industry and its impact on the economy. Her top opponent says regulation on the commission is too lax.
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Winter Storm 2021
When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s image
Members of the Texas Railroad Commission were quick to blame renewable energy for power outages across the state. All sources of energy struggled to produce power during the storm.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas’ chief energy regulator fiercely defended fossil fuels after historic blackouts. She also profits from oil and gas.
Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick and her father have financial ties to oil and gas. Other state officials who have oversight over the industry also had significant financial interests in it.
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Winter Storm 2021
Analysis: Dan Patrick’s interrogation about a freeze warms speculation about 2022
An unusual appearance by the lieutenant governor at a Senate hearing looked like a tough session for one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s appointees — and raised speculation about political tension between the state’s top two elected officials.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick says recovering from oil and gas downturn “is going to be painful”
Craddick told The Texas Tribune in a live interview that a global price war and the coronavirus pandemic will continue hampering the state’s economy and budget.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas agency won’t cut oil production despite cratering prices
Two global crises have brought unusual attention to Texas oil regulators, who decided against taking action some producers wanted. One regulator said, “Politics win, Texans lose.”
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: A rumor of a game of succession in the Texas Senate
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has done his best to knock down rumors he might take a job with the Trump administration. That hasn’t stopped talk about what might happen if he leaves his current job.
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Energy
Railroad commissioners voice doubts that Permian Basin flaring is more prevalent than reported
The Environmental Defense Fund concluded that oil producers burned off more natural gas than they reported to the state. But Texas officials expressed skepticism of those findings during a state Senate hearing Wednesday.