Texas Tribune: West Texas lawmakers push bills to divert some oil and gas taxes to help oil-producing counties with roads, other needs
March 25 — Reps. Tom Craddick and Brooks Landgraf want to divert 10% of taxes collected on oil and gas production to help budget-strapped counties keep up with growth.
— Keep Reading
Houston Public Media: CenterPoint Energy employing AI to help maintain Houston-area infrastructure
Houston Public Media: CenterPoint Energy employing AI to help maintain Houston-area infrastructureMarch 25 — The utility company has faced fierce criticism for its storm preparedness and handling last year of a May windstorm and July hurricane, the latter of which resulted in power outages for more than 2.2 million customers in the region.
— Find out More
Utility Dive: Texas Senate passes bill to establish ‘dispatchable’ power credits trading program
Utility Dive: Texas Senate passes bill to establish ‘dispatchable’ power credits trading programMarch 24 — The scheme would incentivize new gas and other “dispatchable” generation at the expense of renewables and batteries, which constitute the vast majority of recent capacity additions in ERCOT.
— Keep Reading
US Energy Information Administration: Natural gas-fired electricity generation during Texas cold snap just shy of record high
March 18 — A February 19–22 cold snap increased electricity demand in Texas, and natural gas-fired electricity generation approached record highs for hourly and daily generation.
— Keep Reading
Houston Public Media: Lawsuit alleging massive energy fraud during 2021 winter storm heads to appeals court
March 14 — During the 2021 winter storm, natural gas and other energy companies made an estimated $11 billion in added profits. The goal of the CirclesX lawsuit is to get those companies to pay back some of that money.
— Find out more.
Houston Public Media: CenterPoint seeks rate increase for natural gas customers in Houston region
Houston Public Media: CenterPoint seeks rate increase for natural gas customers in Houston regionMarch 12 — If the rate hike is approved, residential customers would see an additional $2.88 on their monthly bills, while large-volume gas customers would see a monthly increase of $61.20, according to CenterPoint’s filing with the Railroad Commission of Texas.
— Find out more
Texas Tribune: Christi Craddick, Don Huffines announce bids for Texas comptroller after Hegar tapped for A&M chancellor
Texas Tribune: Christi Craddick, Don Huffines announce bids for Texas comptroller after Hegar tapped for A&M chancellorMarch 7 — Hegar’s impending departure from the comptroller’s seat creates a rare opening for one of Texas’ coveted statewide offices.