Former state Rep. Lon Burnam, a Fort Worth Democrat, said Sunday that he has filed to run for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the state agency that regulates oil and gas development.
Texas Railroad Commission
Posted in
Economy
Porter Drops Re-election Bid; Others Consider Jumping In
Railroad Commissioner David Porter announced Thursday that he will exit his primary battle against Republican activist John Greytok. Former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is exploring a run for the seat.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: It Can Be a Fuzzy Line Between Government and Politics
Voters used to be more sensitive to even a hint that taxpayer money might be used for political purposes: Even when it’s not criminal, it’s sleazy.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Lawmakers Seek Abbott’s Blessing on Oil Theft Crackdown
Oil rustlers of Texas beware: State lawmakers want to crack down on the those who swipe hundreds of barrels of black gold to sell on the black market. But first, they need the governor’s blessing.
Posted in
Economy
EPA Head: Texas Should Want Its Own Clean Power Plan
The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggested that Texas leaders should play along with her agency’s sweeping Clean Power Plan, if only to avoid a more rigid carbon-cutting plan imposed by the federal government.
Posted in
Energy
Roundup: HERO, Quakes and “In God We Trust”
In the Roundup: A Houston nondiscrimination ordinance goes down, state regulators find no clear link between oilfield activity and some North Texas earthquakes, and a local police department gets the legal go-ahead to keep its “In God We Trust” stickers.
Posted in
Energy
On Quakes, Regulator Sides with Energy Companies
The Texas Railroad Commission has officially cleared two oilfield companies of responsibility for earthquakes that rattled two North Texas towns — despite research suggesting otherwise.
Posted in
Energy
When Oil Wells Become Gas Wells, the State Loses
By filing a one-page form, some producers can have their oil wells reclassified as gas wells and potentially reap huge tax savings. More such requests are being granted, and the Texas budget might start feeling the pain.
Posted in
Energy
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Energy Track
The Energy track at The 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on the state’s drilling industry and the state of the electric grid. We also featured a one-on-one interview with Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick.
Posted in
Energy
Analysis: When “We” Doesn’t Include You
When you read a letter from Texas Railroad Commission Chairman David Porter, there is a chance he wrote it. And there is a chance it was written by someone in the oil and gas industry he’s supposed to be regulating.
