Railroad Commission of Texas

The election for Texas Railroad Commissioner is often a high stakes race. That’s because the agency isn’t just in charge of railroads, as the name indicates. The commission also regulates the oil and gas industry and gas utilities in the Lone Star State. But this year’s race has become especially rancorous, notes The Texas Tribune.

The revolving door appears to be oiled up and turning smoothly in Texas. When the Texas Railroad Commission was searching for a new director to keep an eye on the oil industry, last year, they selected a former oil and gas executive. And when the Commission needed a new chief lawyer, they turned to the former legal counsel for a coal company.

A recent story on the Railroad Commission of Texas’ practice of not allowing staff to talk to the media has raised some questions according to a recent article from the Texas Tribune.

Increased methane levels in Texas water wells cannot be linked to nearby drilling activity according to a report released by the state’s oil and gas regulator said a recent article from StateImpact Texas. 

The Texas oil and gas boom is bringing in the money, but it’s also bringing in the scammers.  KUHF News reported the person running the company gathering investors might be a felon, and that's okay with the State of Texas.