EnergyWire: Texas oil regulator runoff mirrors Senate showdown
April 21 — As with the race for Sen. John Cornyn’s seat, a Republican incumbent at the state Railroad Commission will try to beat a far-right challenger.
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2026/04/21/texas-oil-regulator-runoff-mirrors-senate-showdown-00881999
CBS: A North Texas house explosion was caught on a doorbell camera. It’s drawing focus to an order to remove old plastic pipes.
April 20 — Investigators say last month’s explosion, which critically injured a woman, was caused by a natural gas leak. Atmos Energy said its crews later detected an isolated leak on a short section of pipe buried in the area. The company said the pipe was installed by a predecessor utility company and was made of a material used only in 1970 and 1971.
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/new-video-lake-dallas-explosion-order-remove-old-plastic-pipes-decades-ago/
Houston Public Media: Texas oil and gas regulator Wayne Christian peddles oil-backed crypto coin
April 16 — Government watchdogs raised conflict-of-interests concerns, but Christian said his involvement in the venture is “separate” from his elected position on the Railroad Commission.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2026/04/16/549251/texas-oil-and-gas-regulator-wayne-christian-peddles-oil-backed-crypto-coin/
CBS News: Nearly 30 years after a federal safety warning, another gas explosion raises questions in Lake Dallas
April 14 — Nearly 30 years ago, a deadly gas explosion happened less than a half-mile away. A federal investigation that followed raised concerns about a type of plastic gas pipe that regulators said could crack suddenly.
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/nearly-30-years-federal-safety-warning-gas-explosion-questions-lake-dallas/
Natural Gas Intelligence: Texas Regulator Warns of Iranian Cybersecurity Threats Against Oil, Natural Gas Infrastructure
April 13 — State and federal regulators are stepping up warnings that Iranian affiliates could target critical U.S. infrastructure with cyberattacks as no diplomatic solution appears in store to end the Middle East conflict.
https://www.naturalgasintel.com/news/texas-regulator-warns-of-iranian-cybersecurity-threats-against-oil-natural-gas-infrastructure/
Texas Insider: RRC Celebrates 135 Years of Dedicated Service to Texas
April 7 — Since its founding in 1891, the Commission has guided Texas through many significant periods of change, from its initial role regulating a rapidly expanding railroad system, to the oil boom of the early 20th century, and, more recently, the shale boom of the 2000s.
https://texasinsider.org/articles/rrc-celebrates-135-years-of-dedicated-service-to-texas
Midland Reporter Telegram: Texas Railroad Commission Seeks Public Input on Monitoring Plan
April 4 — The annual call for stakeholder comment stems from Texas Natural Resources Code Sec. 81.066, which requires the commission to develop an annual plan to use oil and gas monitoring and enforcement resources strategically to ensure public safety and protect the environment. The statute directs the commission to seek input when developing the annual plan.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/rrc-seeks-comment-on-monitoring-plan/ar-AA209tiJ
KERA News: Atmos Energy reports old pipe leak in Lake Dallas home explosion, residents criticize city response
April 3 — At a Lake Dallas council meeting Wednesday, Atmos Energy officials confirmed a gas leak from an old pipe caused an explosion that significantly injured a woman and displaced others.
https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-04-03/atmos-energy-reports-old-pipe-leak-in-lake-dallas-home-explosion-residents-criticize-city-response
Daily Tribune: Burnet Fights Steep Atmos Rate Hike
April 2 — On March 24, the Burnet City Council voted to delay the date of Atmos’ rate hike, originally scheduled for April 21, by 45 days.
https://www.dailytrib.com/2026/04/02/burnet-fights-steep-atmos-gas-hike/
El Paso Times: Texas Gas Service seeks to raise rates again; El Paso City Council says no
April 1 — The El Paso City Council voted to deny the utility’s proposed increase under the state’s Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, or GRIP, during its work session on Monday, March 30. The City
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/el-paso-times/20260402/281487872897753
Office of Gov. Greg Abbott: Governor Abbott Touts Legislative Wins, Highlights Success Of Texas Energy Industry At TIPRO
March 31 — Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks emphasizing the critical role the oil and gas industry plays in making our state an economic powerhouse at the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) 80th Annual Convention.
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-touts-legislative-wins-highlights-success-of-texas-energy-industry-at-tipro
NBC DFW: Atmos Energy reps speak at Lake Dallas special meeting, present latest findings
APRIL 2 — For the first time since last month’s house explosion in Lake Dallas, Atmos Energy officials are speaking out about their latest findings. Residents packed the city council chambers on Wednesday night during a special meeting to voice ongoing concerns.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/atmos-energy-reps-speak-at-lake-dallas-special-meeting-present-latest-findings/4004582/
WFAA: “We deserve answers”: Residents press Atmos Energy, city officials in first public meeting since house explosion
April 2 — A packed city hall meeting Tuesday night underscored a community still shaken and searching for answers nearly two weeks after a home explosion rocked a Lake Dallas neighborhood.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/we-deserve-answers-residents-press-atmos-energy-city-officials-in-first-public-meeting-since-house-explosion/287-0ec41cf8-1d5f-430c-b660-6192346bc13f
El Paso Times: El Paso City Council denies another attempted rate hike by Texas Gas Service
April 1 — The city is pushing back against yet another attempt by Texas Gas Service to raise rates.
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/local/2026/03/31/el-paso-city-council-denies-yet-another-gas-rate-increase/89405258007/
KTSM: City Council votes to deny interim rate hike from Texas Gas
March 30 — This latest action involves a new and separate filing under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP). It is different from the broader Texas Gas Service rate case already under appeal by the City.
https://www.ktsm.com/video/city-council-votes-to-deny-interim-rate-hike-from-texas-gas/11655678/
Lake Dallas Today: Atmos Energy Faces Lawsuit Over Texas Gas Explosion as Credit Facilities Extended
March 31 — The utility’s financing capacity and safety practices are under scrutiny as it navigates legal and regulatory risks.
https://nationaltoday.com/us/tx/lake-dallas/news/2026/03/31/atmos-energy-faces-lawsuit-over-texas-gas-explosion-as-credit-facilities-extended/
Texas Tribune: Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign
March 31 —Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/03/31/bo-french-tim-dunn-donation-texas-railroad-commission-2026-election/
KTSM: El Paso City Council votes to deny interim rate hike from Texas Gas in continuing fight
March 31 — This latest action involves a new and separate filing under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP). It is different from the broader Texas Gas Service rate case already under appeal by the City.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/el-paso-city-council-votes-to-deny-interim-rate-hike-from-texas-gas-in-continuing-fight/
KFOX: El Paso City Council denies Texas Gas rate hike, pauses new rates for 45 days
March 30 — Texas Gas Service had sought an additional $3.58 per month under the state program called GRIP, which allows companies to fast-track rate hikes to pay for infrastructure without a full review by the city.
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-city-council-denies-texas-gas-rate-hike-pauses-new-rates-for-45-days
Simply Wall Street: Atmos Energy Lawsuit Puts Pipeline Safety And Earnings Outlook Under Scrutiny
March 28 — As this lawsuit progresses, investors may focus on potential operational changes, regulatory responses, and any shifts in Atmos Energy’s risk management disclosures. The case could also influence how market participants think about safety practices across other gas utilities, especially where aging infrastructure and dense residential areas intersect.
https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/utilities/nyse-ato/atmos-energy/news/atmos-energy-lawsuit-puts-pipeline-safety-and-earnings-outlo/amp
NBC DFW: Lake Dallas plans specially called city meeting after home explosion and fire
March 27 — Lake Dallas neighbors say they hope a specially called city meeting provides more answers after a home explosion and fire there last week.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/lake-dallas-special-meeting-after-home-explosion-fire/4002525/