A day before a major legislative hearing about the future of the Railroad Commission, interpersonal tensions between the three commissioners boiled over at an open meeting. The commissioners also voted to approve new rules to make recycling oilfield wastewater easier.
Texas Railroad Commission
Posted in
Energy
On Railroad Commission Campaign Finance, a Battle Looms
The three Texas Railroad Commissioners get their campaign coffers replenished by the industry they regulate, and lawmakers carrying the RRC Sunset legislation seem determined to make a change. The commissioners are equally determined to hold firm.
Posted in
Energy
Border Coal Mine Plan Advances; Opponents Consider Their Options
A decision by the Texas Railroad Commission has paved the way for an open-pit coal mine to begin operating on the Texas-Mexico border. Opponents of the plan are weighing their options, which include making a request for another hearing.
Posted in
Politics
Railroad Commissioner Wants Firearm Training for Employees
With the debate over gun rights still raging in Texas and across the nation, the head of one Texas agency, the Railroad Commission, is pushing to provide training for employees so they can carry concealed handguns on the job.
Posted in
Energy
At Railroad Commission, a Push to Modernize
The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming.
Posted in
State Government
Railroad Commissioners Grilled on Fundraising Limits
Lawmakers took a close look at the state’s Railroad Commission during a hearing this week, focusing many of their questions on proposals to limit gas and oil companies from giving political donations to commissioners.
Posted in
Energy
At Texas Railroad Commission, a Flurry of Rulemaking
A veritable flurry of rule-making is under way at the Texas Railroad Commission, involving everything from how oil and gas wells are drilled to the recycling of fracking water.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: A Conversation with Barry Smitherman
Full video of my 12/13 TribLive conversation with Barry Smitherman, the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission.
Posted in
Energy
TribLive: Smitherman on the Shale Boom
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman talked about the economic impact of the state’s various shale plays, as well as concerns about the negative effects on roads, water and air quality.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: Smitherman on Conflicts of Interest
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman explained his opposition to Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations intended to address perceived conflicts of interest.
