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Texas Sharon's Bluedaze

Fracking News

Texas Railroad Commission Protecting Big Oil & Gas Again

December 2, 2009 By TXsharon

As if we needed any more proof that the TRC is a mouthpiece of Big Gas.

Texas Railroad Commission Trying to Block

Renewable Energy Lines

to Help Big Oil

Statement of David Power, Deputy Director,Public Citizen’s Texas Office

Seemingly out of concern that competitive renewable energy will damage Big Oil’s bottom line, the Texas Railroad Commission wants to block transmission lines that would put affordable energy from west Texas wind farms on an even playing field with the historical titans of Texas energy – oil and gas companies.

A new investment in these transmission lines would save ratepayers $2 billion a year, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 16 percent and create more than $5 billion in economic development benefits for Texas. Ratepayers, companies and organizations with an interest in seeing the further development of renewable energy and green jobs should contact the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) and tell them to deny the Railroad Commission’s request to intervene.

The Texas Legislature authorized these transmission lines in 2008 to address the lack of available transmission lines to deliver wind energy from the panhandle and west Texas to the major metropolitan areas in central Texas where demand is higher. This renewable energy helps reduce costs for ratepayers by providing abundant and inexpensive clean energy that helps offset the volatile price of natural gas.

In its filing with the PUC, the Railroad Commission inappropriately expressed concern for current and future oil and gas development in Texas. In doing so, the commission stepped outside of its regulatory role to promote the interests of Big Oil. While the commission’s stated task is “primary regulatory jurisdiction over (the) oil and natural gas industry,” in this case, it is attempting to pick winners and losers in regards to Texas’ energy future. It is also questionable whether Michael Williams, who sits on the Railroad Commission and who is currently in the running for Kay Bailey Hutchison’s U.S. Senate seat, is acting in the best interest of the public or doing favors for potential campaign contributors.

This is another example of outrageous overreaching by the Railroad Commission on behalf of the same industries it is supposed to regulate. The commission is charged with regulating the oil and gas industries, not with protecting their interests with taxpayer dollars. The Railroad Commission and Mr. Williams need to stick to their own jurisdiction, rather than making an inappropriate power play to earn favors with Big Oil.

###

A few additional examples:

More Propaganda from Texas Railroad Commission

Texas Railroad Commission: Misuse of Taxpayer Money

Texas Railroad Commission Starts New Alternative Energy Division

It’s way past time for a change! Jeff Weems for Texas Railroad Commissioner

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.

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Filed Under: Texas Railroad Commission

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 2, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    One of our worst state agencies, the RRC, wasting our tax money promoting the private gain of a bad industry for residents. A true Lapdog. This kind of waste should be stopped.

  2. Cheap Tricks and Costly Truths says

    December 2, 2009 at 11:50 pm

    There are a hundred or so of these wind turbines just 30 miles from Wink, I've yet to figure out who's benefiting from this…I know we're not.

    We've not been given the option or opportunity to buy into this affordable, clean energy. Our county jail and hospital will be purchasing their own Wind Generator…we'll show big gas and oil and the TRC.

    GIVE ME WIND ENERGY OR GIVE ME DEATH (what? a bit melodramatic?_

  3. Anonymous says

    December 3, 2009 at 5:37 am

    I don't see wind being a threat to oil & gas, unless ALL transportation in the US goes electric. Good luck finding electric airplanes & boats, for one thing. Then, there's still uses for oil, like petrochemicals.

    So, Texans, enjoy the extra CO2 & the higher electric rates the TRRC wants.

    As it is, the shale gas fracing frenzy won't increase the price of natural gas. If anything, it should drive the price lower.

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