Luke Warford tries to break the Republican hold on the Railroad Commission by focusing on the power grid and climate change
One of three seats on the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry, is up for grabs this election. Democrat Luke Warford is betting his campaign on the issues of electric grid reliability, regulatory enforcement and reducing emissions.
Texas Dem railroad commission candidate releases ad targeting Spanish speakers
Luke Warford, the Democratic candidate for Texas Railroad Commission, released a Spanish language ad Thursday reiterating the primary message of his campaign — that the current board members of the railroad commission did not do enough to protect Texans during the winter storm of 2021.
myrgv.comWest Texas rancher pours $2 million into Sarah Stogner’s underdog campaign for statewide oil and gas board seat
Ashley Watt, who owns a 75,000-acre ranch in the Permian Basin, is helping bankroll a substantial TV ad buy in the final two weeks before Stogner faces the Railroad Commission’s chair, Wayne Christian, in the runoff.
Analysis: A power test for Texas voters
After last winter’s near-statewide electric blackouts, Texas lawmakers went after regulators they deemed responsible but tiptoed around the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas. Now voters have a chance, if they want it, to send the state a message.
Capital Highlights — Several races headed to runoffs
A number of statewide races are headed for a May 24 runoff after the votes were tallied in the March 1 primary.Topping the ballot in the Republican races is the contest for attorney general, where inc[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexas energy company threatens to cut off plants powering 400,000 homes
One of Texas’ largest power providers asked state regulators to force the Dallas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer to continue natural gas service to its power plants.Luminant Corp. says that Energy Transfer has threatened to stop providing natural gas to its plants as soon as Monday because of $21.6 million in fees related to last February's winter storm, according to a report from WFAA.Why it matters: Luminant power plants provide energy to 400,000 Texas homes, businesses, schools and hos
news.yahoo.com400,000 Texas homes and businesses could lose power over financial dispute between energy companies
Vistra Corp. asked the Railroad Commission of Texas to prevent Energy Transfer LP from cutting off fuel to five of its power plants on Monday. Vistra said the power supply to at least 400,000 homes and businesses could be impacted.
Texas regulators pass rule aimed at preventing natural gas producers from having power cut off during future winter storms
But Texas oil and gas regulators addressed only part of the problem that led millions of Texans to lose power for days after February’s winter storm, and gas producers likely won’t be required to weatherize until 2023.
When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s image
When the power went out for Marsha Hendler on Feb. 15, she rushed to her downtown San Antonio office to ride out the winter storm. Thankful to find the electricity and heat still on, she typed out an email to the elected officials who regulate her small, independent oil and gas company.
ERCOT: No energy source was safe from this week’s winter storm
SAN ANTONIO – Top officials of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the agency that regulates the state’s electric grid, said Friday that no energy source was safe from the massive winter storm this week. AdThat choice kept the state’s electric grid from a possible catastrophic blackout, ERCOT officials previously said. (KSAT)The deadly storm has reignited arguments about the state’s energy plan, including whether it over invested in renewable energy sources. Still, wind energy accounts for less than a quarter of the state’s electricity, a figure that is lower in winter months, ERCOT officials said. AdThat supply, according to ERCOT officials, would have been just as vulnerable to the elements.
Pipeline giant sues Railroad Commission, alleging lax oversight of natural gas flaring
A natural gas flare burns in Pecos County in West Texas. State regulations allow producers to flare gas for up to 10 days after they're done drilling an oil or gas well. But the commission ultimately approved Exco’s flaring extension request 2-to-1 on Aug. 6 with Commission Chairman Wayne Christian casting the lone dissenting vote. He added that it didn't make sense economically for the commission to force Exco to go through the motions to sell natural gas when it brings such a low price. “Natural gas flaring has long been recognized as wasteful and environmentally harmful,” the company said in its petition.
‘Serial thief’ who posed as cop, targeted elderly, sentenced to 4 years in jail
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man who repeatedly posed as a law enforcement officer to solicit clients for his lawn care and fencing company has been sentenced to four years in jail. Judge Wayne Christian referred to 45-year-old Carlos Elizondo as a "serial thief" while sentencing him late last month. An SAPD report filed in early November indicates that Elizondo and his wife, Kara, have a "fixation" with the detective assigned to Elizondo's theft cases. Elizondo told officers that he now knows the name of the detective's son from searching Facebook and that he attends the same church as them. San Antonio residents who believe they have been victimized by Elizondo may call SAPD North Property Crimes at 210-207-7658.