Oil and Gas Industry

These state regulators sit on one of the most important agencies to oversee energy and – by extension – climate policy in the world.

The goal of the Texas Power Grid Investment Summit was to attract investors to build natural gas power plants in Texas. But it was colored by the history of BlackRock and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the two main organizers.

Two massive winter storms have laid bare the increased vulnerability of U.S. power grids, and time is running out to reduce the risk for this year.

The vote dedicates billions of tax dollars to build and maintain power plants. Now comes the tricky part.

Supporters say the creation of the energy fund will bolster the Texas grid. Opponents say it's an unnecessary giveaway to power companies and the gas industry.

Texas officials have vowed to oppose federal regulations aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations. But the report says plugging leaks and upgrading wells is poised to be a big business in the Lone Star State.

A bill passed by the Senate proposed setting aside $10 billion to finance 10,000 megawatts of natural gas power plants. A document shows that amount would pay for only 5,800 megawatts.

One of the largest earthquakes in Texas history struck 12 miles north of Midland on Friday — a month after another 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck the region. Now state inspectors are investigating whether nearby oil and gas operations played a role.

The quake was the third largest in Texas history, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. An increase in seismic activity in Texas has been linked to injecting fracking wastewater underground.

Royalties on oil and natural gas, along with lease payments on millions of acres of land, are helping the University of Texas, which is in second place, narrow the gap with Harvard.