Energy regulator dodges ethics reform
Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, blames aggressive lobbying by the Texas Railroad Commission and its supporters for the failure of his bill to reform and rename the agency that regulates oil and gas activity in the state. More »
Lawmakers consider Railroad Commission name change
The state Senate is reviewing the Texas Railroad Commission and considering a name change for the oil and gas industry regulator, which now has very little to do with railroads. More »
Eagle Ford oil production hits record high
Oil production in Texas’s Eagle Ford shale formation reached an all-time high in February as it climbed 74 percent compared with a year earlier. More »
Legislature tackles revamping of Texas energy regulator
At least one thing was clear after a contentious four-hour meeting of the Energy Resources Committee this week: Passing a bill to reauthorize the Texas Railroad Commission won’t be easy. More »
Regulator eases rules to encourage frac water recycling
In an acknowledgement of growing public concern about water use in hydraulic fracturing, the Texas Railroad Commission this week adopted rules to encourage recycling and reduce the use of fresh water. More »
Communities insisting on inclusion in energy boom
Up to 75 percent of project delays are caused by non-technical risks, such as community opposition, far outpacing the disruption caused by technological challenges, an energy executive said at the CERAWeek conference Wednesday. More »
Coming soon: A searchable FracFocus.org
Regulator says FracFocus will soon be searchable, but the “trade secret” exemption remains. More »
Wildcatter bets big on Eagle Ford’s fringe
Wildcatter Harvey Howell hunts and hopes for elusive reserves on the edge of the booming Eagle Ford shale, without the 3-D seismic imaging and billion-dollar budgets of major oil companies drilling nearby. More »
Federal investigators urge Texas to tighten safety rules
An explosion at oil storage site in East Texas has prompted the federal Chemical Safety Board to urge the Texas Railroad Commission to adopt stricter rules governing security. A similar request last year was ignored. More »
Railroad Commission to offer concealed handgun classes
Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman said he will make classes for concealed handgun licenses available for any interested commission employees.
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Event: UH energy symposium discusses energy policy, shale boom
The Texas Tribune will hold an energy symposium at the University of Houston on Friday, featuring speakers and panels on the Eagle Ford shale and on energy policy. More »
Gas flaring permits surge in Texas
The number of permits issued to burn off natural gas quadrupled between 2009 and 2011, according to data from the Texas Railroad Commission. More »
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