Tag Archives: stateimpact texas
Texas Railroad Commission Refutes Study Linking Quakes to Oil and Gas Industry
An inquiry by the agency that regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas has found that oil and gas activity did not likely cause a swarm of earthquakes around the north Texas towns of Azle and Reno starting in … Continue reading
Fewer Atlantic Hurricanes Bode Well For An El Niño Winter
There’s a good chance of an El Niño weather pattern forming by the end of the year. That could be good for easing or even ending the Texas drought. But it’s not a sure thing. For meteorologists to know El Niño … Continue reading
What Does Fossil Fuel Divestment Mean For Texas?
“I think it is worth asking ourselves as a society how much longer we think we need to have an oil economy.” — Michael Webber, UT Energy Institute This week in New York, the UN Climate Summit is underway, and the Rockefeller Foundation made … Continue reading
Oil & Gas Trouble In Texas Ranchland: Whose Road Is It?
The Railroad Commission of Texas will meet Monday morning to consider an issue of huge importance to landowners across Texas. It has to do with how the state oversees energy companies that need access to private land. At issue at the hearing will … Continue reading
4 Ways Texas Could Win Big Under New Climate Change Rules
Earlier this year, the earth hit a frightening milestone: carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached its highest level since humans have inhabited the earth. The last time there was this much carbon on the planet was nearly a million years ago. … Continue reading
Don’t Frack on Me: Challenges to the Right to Drill
In Texas, a government official has warned that groups opposed to fracking might be acting on behalf of Russia. In Colorado, a TV ad portrays fracking opponents as goofy idiots who believe the moon may be made of cheese. The attacks on drilling … Continue reading
Texas Slams EPA Website that Compares State Pollution Enforcement
Compared to other states, Texas has a consistently higher percentage of major industrial plants with “high priority violations” of air pollution laws. Yet, compared to other states, Texas does far fewer comprehensive inspections of polluting facilities. Or at least, that’s … Continue reading
Winners and Losers in Texas from Greenhouse Gas Ruling
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week on a lawsuit over how much latitude the federal government has to regulate facilities that emit greenhouse gases, victory was claimed both by environmentalists who want more regulation and by Texas state officials who … Continue reading
Ryan Sitton Wins Railroad Commission Runoff in Election Night Surprise
When former State Rep. Wayne Christian entered the GOP primary runoff for Railroad Commission 12 points ahead of his opponent, he had the backing of numerous Tea Party groups and Republican clubs. He looked very much like the favorite in his race against relative … Continue reading
West Texas Seeing ‘Driest Such Period in Over a Century’
Conditions ‘Remain Dire,’ Outlook Says The drought that began in October 2010 has been the driest such period in over a century for much of West Texas, putting it on par with the drought of record in the 1950s. That’s according … Continue reading