TX Elected Officials Calling For More Money, Tougher Regulation Of Gas Drilling In Populated Areas

[hatrack]

No!!

Elected officials’ dissatisfaction with how state agencies have handled the North Texas natural gas boom appears to be prompting an overhaul in how the agencies and the industry operate. In Irving last week, Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, who serves as chairman of the House Committee on Energy Resources, said the failure of the Railroad Commission of Texas, its commissioners, and the natural gas industry, to appropriately communicate with North Texas residents about drilling and what the industry’s operations entail has brought about increased attention.

“We are at crossroads... in how the oil and gas industry is going to be looked at and worked with, and if the oil and gas industry can coexist with populated areas,” Keffer said during a March 15 talk to the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve got to say, the jury is still out.”

Rep. Keffer’s comments echo those made by two other North Texas elected officials who have criticized the two regulatory agencies but are working to find solutions. The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the energy industry, “hasn’t stepped up to the plate as they should have,” Keffer said. “I think they’ve been too quiet.” The agency needs money for more people to regulate and educate, he said. The commission’s fiscal year 2010 budget is $71.5 million. Its fiscal year 2011 budget increases less than 1 percent to $72 million.

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Although the commission’s budget remains flat during the next two years, cuts are in store. In January, Gov. Rick Perry, his lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house ordered a 5 percent budget cut for the 2010-11 biennium across all state agencies. A Railroad Commission spokeswoman said the planned cuts have been made “to specifically not impact any inspector positions or field oversight regulatory activities.”

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http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=12191

http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=12191

[MidwestTransplant]

1. SOCIALISM

[unlegendary]

2. Pukes and regulation?

You don't actually think Perry is going to allow regulation of anything other than that of the Democratic Party in Texas do you? If business here wants to burn your house down to drill for Doctor Pepper then by golly the govnerr is behind it. We NEED to burn your house down so as to not stop progress!