Railroad Commission of Texas

Many voters were confused about what the state oil and gas agency does because of its name.

The three challengers seeking to unseat Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick focus on different issues, but share a common critique of the state's oil and gas regulator.

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

Austin City Council and Texas Gas Service can't agree on new gas rates. State regulators will now decide.

Texas Gas Service says the rate hike for Austin residents is necessary to invest in infrastructure and keep up with rising costs due to inflation. But critics say this is just the latest increase implemented over the last four years.

For some folks in Texas, the forecast for this week brings back unpleasant memories of the winter storm and resulting blackouts in February 2021.

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.

The Railroad Commission of Texas has been called one of the most consequential climate-related offices in the country. Democrat Luke Warford is challenging incumbent Wayne Christian for his seat.

Critics are skeptical about whether the new rules by the Railroad Commission will prevent another catastrophe like the power grid disaster in February 2021.

The Republican primary contest between challenger Sarah Stogner and incumbent Wayne Christian has been characterized by twists and turns, accusations of corruption and some light nudity.