The latest Texas Railroad Commission news from The Texas Tribune.
The Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, plays a major role in Texas' energy production, which has only grown since the state's drilling boom. But how much do voters care about the commission candidates? Full Story
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Former State Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, says he will run for the Railroad Commission, joining a crowded field. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about setting up a presdential race, resigning to run, getting federal permission to change election laws and whether the 2014 primaries will be on time. Full Story
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Lots of politicians are climbers, and some rungs of the ladder are more popular than others. The Texas Railroad Commission might be the most popular of all. Full Story
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The clock is ticking for lawmakers hard at work to pass prize bills in the final days of the 83rd legislative session. Here's a look at what's still outstanding. Check back often: We'll update this story as deals are brokered or broken. Full Story
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UPDATED: If lawmakers don't do something quickly, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas in the state, could disappear. Full Story
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An environmental task force's recent push to obtain a warrant to search a Railroad Commission district office underscores the debate raging over the oil and gas agency's environmental enforcement. Full Story
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A day before a major legislative hearing about the future of the Railroad Commission, interpersonal tensions between the three commissioners boiled over at an open meeting. The commissioners also voted to approve new rules to make recycling oilfield wastewater easier. Full Story
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The three Texas Railroad Commissioners get their campaign coffers replenished by the industry they regulate, and lawmakers carrying the RRC Sunset legislation seem determined to make a change. The commissioners are equally determined to hold firm. Full Story
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A decision by the Texas Railroad Commission has paved the way for an open-pit coal mine to begin operating on the Texas-Mexico border. Opponents of the plan are weighing their options, which include making a request for another hearing. Full Story
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With the debate over gun rights still raging in Texas and across the nation, the head of one Texas agency, the Railroad Commission, is pushing to provide training for employees so they can carry concealed handguns on the job. Full Story
The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming. Full Story
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Lawmakers took a close look at the state's Railroad Commission during a hearing this week, focusing many of their questions on proposals to limit gas and oil companies from giving political donations to commissioners. Full Story
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A veritable flurry of rule-making is under way at the Texas Railroad Commission, involving everything from how oil and gas wells are drilled to the recycling of fracking water. Full Story
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Full video of my 12/13 TribLive conversation with Barry Smitherman, the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman talked about the economic impact of the state's various shale plays, as well as concerns about the negative effects on roads, water and air quality. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman explained his opposition to Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations intended to address perceived conflicts of interest. Full Story
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This month, the state's Sunset Advisory Commission released a series of recommendations on how the Railroad Commission — which governs the oil and gas industry, not railroads — could better serve the state. Among the recommendations: a name change. Full Story
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The four Republican Railroad Commission candidates sound remarkably similar on the big-ticket topics. But that doesn't mean they will vote the same way on everything once they get into office. Full Story
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The two crowded primary races for the Texas Railroad Commission could be headed for runoffs, as candidates try to win attention from voters who haven't tuned in to those contests. Full Story
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