87th LegislatureEnergyState House25% Tax on Natural Gas Flaring Proposed by Austin Lawmaker
Brad JohnsonFebruary 11, 2021
A proposed law, intended to discourage flaring, would establish a 25 percent tax on gas flared by oil and gas companies.
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Elections 2020EnergyIssuesMichael Bloomberg Throws $2.6 Million Cash Behind Democratic Railroad Commission Candidate
Brad JohnsonOctober 26, 2020
With a cash infusion provided by the former New York City mayor, the Railroad Commission race becomes even more contentious despite being overshadowed by other races on the ballot.
EnergyTexas’ Oil and Gas Industry Facing Uncertainty Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Stabilizing as Election Looms
Brad JohnsonOctober 22, 2020
Texas oil and gas has taken a hit during the pandemic, but the industry has stabilized some since the initial downturn.
EnergyStatewide NewsOil and Gas Lawsuit has Trivial Ties to Railroad Commissioner Candidate Jim Wright
Brad JohnsonAugust 17, 2020
A connection between Wright and environmental violations made by a company he once owned was brought to light, but they occurred after he sold the entity and he has since remediated the problems caused by his purchaser.
Elections 2020EnergyDemocrats in Railroad Commission Race See Opportunity After GOP Primary Upset
Brad JohnsonJuly 9, 2020
Texas Democrats have not held a statewide position in over 20 years, but after an encouraging 2018 midterm election, some see opportunity in the Railroad Commission race.
EnergyIssuesStatewide NewsAdvocacy Groups Fuel Opposition to Permian Highway Pipeline
Mark LisheronMay 11, 2020
150 miles of construction have been completed on Kinder Morgan's planned 430-mile pipeline, but lawsuits from advocacy groups and local entities keep coming.
EnergyStatewide NewsTexas Railroad Commission Pulls Motion to Artificially Limit Oil Production
Brad JohnsonMay 5, 2020
The Texas Railroad Commission declined to institute oil production limits and will look to other ways to cushion the financial blow coronavirus has delivered.
Statewide NewsCoronavirus Positive Test Rate at Five Percent, Abbott Says in State Update
Brad JohnsonApril 21, 2020
At Governor Abbott's latest coronavirus press conference, he announced that for 12 days in a row, the positive test rate has been lower than its April 9 high.
IssuesWest Texas Oil Price Drops Below Zero Dollars as Coronavirus Results in Historic Demand Downturn
Brad JohnsonApril 20, 2020
Oil prices dropped to historic lows today as decreased demand because of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in an oversupply.
IssuesThousands Across the World Listen into Railroad Commission’s Oil Proration Hearing
Brad JohnsonApril 15, 2020
The Railroad Commission listened to over 10 hours of testimony and deliberation on placing a limit on oil production this week.
EnergyStatewide NewsOfficials, Special Interests Take Sides as Railroad Commission to Consider Artificially Limiting Oil Production
Brad JohnsonApril 13, 2020
The Texas Railroad Commission will consider prorationing oil production, something that hasn't been done in almost a half-century.
EnergyIssuesTexas Railroad Commission Could Limit Oil Production for First Time in Nearly 50 Years to Recover Prices
Brad JohnsonMarch 31, 2020
The Texas Railroad Commission will explore the pros and cons of oil production proration — or, limiting production to artificially increase and stabilize oil prices.
Elections 2020EnergyStatewide NewsAnatomy of an Upset: Jim Wright on His Shocking Victory Over Ryan Sitton for Texas Railroad Commissioner
Brad JohnsonMarch 5, 2020
Super Tuesday's most shocking result belonged to Jim Wright, who won the GOP nomination for Railroad Commission over incumbent Ryan Sitton. Here's how he did it.
Elections 2020IssuesState HouseStatewide NewsSpecial Election for Rep. Zerwas’ Vacated Seat Draws National Attention
Holly HansenOctober 21, 2019
Local and national Democrats have their sights set on the special election for House District 28, a seat vacated by longtime Rep. John Zerwas.
EnergyIssuesAfter Saudi Attack, Texas’ Energy Dominance Helps Avert Worldwide Oil Crisis
Brad JohnsonSeptember 17, 2019
The international oil market experienced a brief moment of volatility this week after an attack on a Saudi Arabian oil facility.
Texas' energy renaissance has produced strong economic results for the state. And natural gas has emerged as a big reason for that.