In an increasingly testy Republican runoff for railroad commissioner, state Rep. Wayne Christian is reaching into Gary Gates’ legal history in an effort to paint his opponent as a “slumlord.”
Texas Railroad Commission
Posted in
Economy
Eagle Ford Town’s Residents Disgusted by Waste Site’s Approval
The Texas Railroad Commission approved a permit for a huge oil and gas waste facility outside of tiny Nordheim, ending one of the first organized protests against industry activity in South Texas’ Eagle Ford Shale.
Posted in
Energy
Sunset Review Suggests Changes, New Name at Railroad Commission
The Texas Railroad Commission should beef up its oversight of oil and gas drilling, pipeline safety and abandoned wells and change its name to reflect what it actually does, the latest sunset review recommends.
Posted in
Energy
Child Abuse Case Resurfaces in Railroad Commission Race
Sixteen years ago, CPS staffers accused Gary and Melissa Gates of abuse and removed their 13 children from their home. That case fizzled quickly, but the allegations and ensuing legal fight continue to provide fodder for Gates’ political opponents.
Posted in
Energy
Study: Oil Activity May Be Cause of East Texas Quakes
University of Texas at Austin researchers call it “plausible” that underground injections of oil and gas waste triggered a series of temblors that rattled Timpson residents in 2012.
Posted in
Economy
Years After Landmark Ruling, Court To Rehear “Bizarre” Pipeline Case
Nearly five years after issuing a ruling cheered by property rights advocates, the Texas Supreme Court is set to rehear a case pitting two Texas brothers against a pipeline company that seized their land through eminent domain.
Posted in
Economy
As Oil Prices Fell, Texas Campaign Donations Followed
For decades, the petroleum industry has largely fueled Texas’ influence in national Republican politics. But operatives are seeing early signs that the current oil bust has depressed the sector’s political giving.
Posted in
Economy
Railroad Commission Hopeful Unclear on Agency’s Duties
Wayne Christian, a candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, frequently touts his energy expertise. But he did not know one of the agency’s key duties — regulating natural gas utilities — until a reporter told him.
Posted in
Economy
Gary Gates, Wayne Christian Advance to Railroad Commission Runoff
The Republican race for Texas Railroad Commission is chugging toward a runoff between Rosenberg rancher and real estate mogul Gary Gates and former state Rep. Wayne Christian.
Posted in
Energy
Geoscientist’s Latest Experiment: Running for Statewide Office
In the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission, Lance Christian — a political novice — is embarking on something of an experiment: Can the agency staffer win statewide office based on scientific expertise alone?
