A key Republican lawmaker and a Democratic candidate for railroad commissioner are among those expressing concerns about the Railroad Commission of Texas’ practice of preventing staffers from talking to members of the media.
Texas Railroad Commission
Posted in
Energy
Scientists: Data Shows Fracking’s Link to Methane in Well
While Barnett Shale gas producers deny any connection between methane-contaminated wells and their operations, a pair of scientists dispute that. They say test results just released by state regulators provide concrete evidence of a link.
Posted in
Energy
Railroad Commission Sides With Driller on Well Protest
UPDATED: The Railroad Commission on Thursday sided with Marathon Oil Company’s bid to dismiss a groundwater conservation district’s protest of its application to inject waste into part of South Texas’ Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer.
Posted in
Energy
Mayors: State Must Act Faster on Earthquake Study
More than six months after a series of earthquakes surprised parts of North Texas, the mayors of two shaken-up towns told a state House subcommittee Monday that the state has moved too slowly in investigating what’s behind the phenomenon.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Smitherman Lost, but Stays in Game
Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman lost his bid for attorney general, but he remains an oil and gas regulator and has sought industry help retiring campaign debts and perhaps landing a job.
Posted in
Energy
GOP Railroad Commission Hopefuls Trade Ethics Barbs
A former Texas Railroad Commission chairman is helping Ryan Sitton fight back against conflict-of-interest allegations in the Republican primary runoff for an open seat on the commission.
Posted in
Politics
Rookie Candidate Meets Big State, Crowded Ballot
In his first run for public office, Malachi Boyuls encountered a big state, a crowded ballot and some difficulty with names — both his own and that of the office he sought.
Posted inState Government
Railroad Commission Hires Seismologist
The Texas Railroad Commission has hired a seismologist to research the oil and gas industry’s ties to the spate of earthquakes that has rattled North Texans.
Posted in
Energy
Ethics Debate Swirls in Race to Be the Next Railroad Commissioner
Ryan Sitton, a Republican candidate for railroad commissioner, says that if elected, he would remain involved with his company, which consults with some of the world’s largest oil and gas companies. Some of his opponents have raised concerns.
Posted in
Energy
GOP Railroad Commission Hopefuls Try to Be Different
Four Republicans running for Texas railroad commissioner are working to differentiate themselves. But speaking Thursday at a Republican Women of Austin luncheon, they found plenty upon which to agree.
