• Home
  • About
  • Publications
  • Links
    • Drilling and Fracking
    • Resources
    • Stuff I Like
    • TX Progressive Alliance
  • Must See Videos
  • PSYOPS
  • Shale Survival
    • Before drilling starts
    • Tools
    • Medical
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Texas Sharon's Bluedaze

Fracking News

Texas Railroad Commissioner, Williams, has New Conflict of Interest

February 12, 2008 By TXsharon

Michael Williams, Chair, Texas Railroad Commission, went to the Super Bowl as the guest of Center Point Energy. From PolTex

Williams says it ethical. I say it’s not! It’s a huge conflict of interest when you receive gifts protection money from the very industry you are supposed to regulate.

Remember Atmos Energy: Atmos Cuts Corners. TX Lives at Risk. Brett Shipp Reports

Where was Michael Williams

when Atmos Energy was endangering the lives of Texans?

Brett Shipp Investigates Railroad Commission. Michael Williams Refuses to Talk

Railroad Commission too Chummy With Industry it Regulates

RRC Michael Williams Paid Protector of Oil & Gas and Utility Companies

In a recent report filed by Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams’ campaign PAC with the Texas Ethics Commission, you are hard pressed to find donations that don’t come from oil and gas providers and utility companies, including the Chairman and CEO and Chairman Emeritus of TXU.

And, over the years, Atmos Energy’s political action committees have given thousands of dollars to RRC Chairman Michael L. Williams, and RRC Commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones and Victor Carrillo.

Texas Railroad Commission Protection Money Breakdown. Take Action.

Phil King, who also received Super Bowl tickets from Center Point, chairs chairs the House Committee on Regulated Industries. Center Point is covering all their bases, getting all the politicians with oversight right in their pockets.

Updated: Statement from Dale Henry Campaign

“This episode highlights the need for real campaign finance reform for the Texas Railroad Commission,” said Dale Henry (D-Lampasas).

“The Texas Railroad Commissioners should not have such a cozy relationship with the industries they regulate. It just promotes the continued rubber-stamp culture of the Commission. Of course, given the culture of the Texas Railroad Commission, I suppose it should come as no surprise to us that a sitting Railroad Commissioner would take Super Bowl tickets from a CenterPoint Energy Lobbyist and then turn around and vote on cost-of-service rate increases that are passed on directly to consumers,” said Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director.

“This is exactly why I’ve proposed my “Texans First Campaign Finance Reform” package,” said Henry. “The members of the Texas Railroad Commission should not take money from–and should not be beholden to–the industries they regulate. This is why I plan to, as Railroad Commissioner, ask the Texas Legislature to pass a campaign finance bill that will prohibit the practice of Railroad Commissioners accepting money from the industries they regulate,” Henry said.

About Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

  • Mail
  • |
  • Web
  • |
  • More Posts(5116)

Filed Under: Texas Railroad Commission

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    February 13, 2008 at 12:50 am

    Right on–Dale. You are our only hope to make some degree of usefulness out of that RRC Lab Dog organization!

Stalk TXsharon

Recent Posts

  • Register for the worldwide premier of Uncovering the Permian Climate Bomb
  • Update: Chris Faulkner > IT Guy > Frack Master > Felon
  • French Energy Giant Total Declares War on Texas Toddlers
  • Hydrocarbon odors during oil and gas drilling
  • MSNBC and TXsharon in the Texas fracking zone
  • Blowout: Inside America’s Energy Gamble

Like Earthworks on Facebook

Categories

Archives

All work © Sharon Wilson. No works may be shared copied in full without permission. Bluedaze: Drilling Reform. Site Design by Sumy Designs. Powered by those who advocate for a safe and healthy environment.