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History matters. On Dec. 19, 1890 Art. X, §2 of the Texas Constitution was amended to include a provision forming the Railroad Commission of Texas, stating the “Legislature … may provide and establish all requisite means and agencies invested with such powers as may be deemed adequate and advisable...
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Future of the Region South Texas, a non-profit organization encompassing a 47-county in South Texas with a mission of promoting a robust economy with investment and consideration into critical areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, workforce, border security, energy, and more, and Texas Energy Advocates Coalition (TEAC), an advocacy...
Movies
Film is a powerful medium. From a policy perspective, few other forms of communication can so rapidly change public sentiment. This is particularly true of feature films. Although documentaries are certainly important — and this year they have seen a resurgence that includes “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” and...
Midterms
As the dust settled on election night 2018, we now begin to evaluate the consequences that the election’s results may carry with them. Specifically, how could the election and the changes it brings impact the oil and gas industry? First, the good news: In Colorado, Proposition 112 was handedly defeated,...
War on Coal
First, they came for the coal industry, and I did not speak out — Because I was not in the coal industry. The battle over carbon will play a significant role in the long-term development of the tight oil plays in the United States. There is yet another push for...
gas natural
The National Climate Assessment is the latest in a series of reports that has thrust climate change into the public spotlight — and added to the intensity of calls for a carbon tax. This brief article will illustrate first the arguments put forth by advocates for the carbon tax...
Water Drop
This January, as many Texans recover from the holidays and gaze into what some folks call winter here, members of the Texas Legislature will gather in Austin to be sworn in for the 86th legislative session. The Texas Legislature is charged with meeting for only 140 days every two...
SHALE Featured Website Nov Dec 2018 National Parks
Recent months brought a wave of changes to oil and gas related policy and legislation. From the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Department of the Interior (DOI) to the National Parks, the current administration is taking a good hard look at how to streamline processes to empower oil...
SHALE Featured Website Nov Dec 2018 Porter Renewable Energy Subsidies
A growing healthy economy needs cheap and abundant energy to fuel growth. That is why you hear people say they are in favor of an all-of-the-above energy policy. We need all the energy we can get from which ever source we can get it. The market will sort out...
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There are many major issues facing the Texas Legislature during the 2019 session. In early August I attended an event in San Angelo called the West Texas Legislative Summit which gave us insight into what those issues will be. The Summit was well attended this year with a handful...