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.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Texas power crisis prompts Texas House panel to advance several bills, including one requiring plants to prep for extreme weather
The bills, which include mandating weatherization of power plants, reforming the ERCOT board and creating a state emergency communications system, are “a work in progress.”
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Texas Legislature 2021
After House stalls on readjusting electricity prices, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urges Gov. Greg Abbott to use emergency powers
“The governor of Texas is a very powerful person,” Patrick said at a Capitol news conference, ramping up his dayslong campaign to get Abbott to intervene. “He can do anything he wants.”
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Winter Storm 2021
Paperwork failures worsened Texas blackouts, sparking mid-storm scramble to restore critical fuel supply
Dozens of natural gas companies failed to do the paperwork that would keep their facilities powered during an emergency, so utilities cut their electricity at the very moment that power plants most needed fuel. The mid-storm scramble to fix the problem exposed a regulatory blind spot.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Why would Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick run a race he’s already won?
Speculation that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick might want to be governor someday underestimates his current advantages over the current occupant of that office, Gov. Greg Abbott.
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Energy
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Biden administration demanding reinstatement of Keystone XL Pipeline permit
Twenty-one states signed onto the multi-state lawsuit led by Texas and Montana.
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TribCast
TribCast: Texas’ top three Republican leaders splinter over electricity repricing
On this week’s episode, Patrick speaks with Ross, Cassi and Alexa about state leaders’ disagreements over electricity repricing after the winter weather crisis.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Texas leaders’ closely watched breakfast club
One way to check the political mood when the Texas Legislature is meeting is to watch the state’s top three leaders — and how their Wednesday breakfasts are going.
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Winter Storm 2021
Griddy Energy customers may be off the hook for exorbitant energy bills after company files bankruptcy
If approved, former Griddy customers might not have to pay their outstanding bills, some of which cost more than $15,000. Still, many customers have already had their bank accounts drafted or credit cards charged for thousands of dollars.
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Winter Storm 2021
At least 57 people died in the Texas winter storm, mostly from hypothermia
The deaths occurred in at least 25 counties. And 25 of the fatalities occurred in Harris County. Some Texas deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning and medical equipment failure.