See the House version of this bill, HB 16, by clicking here

See the Senate version of this bill, SB 7, by clicking here

March 20, 2025 — A new bill has been introduced in the Texas Legislature, with a goal for the overall improvement of state water management. Texas House Bill 16 would extend the “powers and responsibilities” of the Texas Water Development Board. District 8 State Rep. Cody Harris (R), has sponsored a bill to broaden the role of the board members. The board manages several responsibilities pertaining to the state water supply such as, collecting and distributing relevant data, assisting with planning, budget, wastewater treatment, flood oversight and agricultural conservation operations.

“Last session, we took a major step forward by creating the Texas Water Fund—approved by 78% of voters. But our work isn’t done. HB 16 expands funding eligibility, prioritizes critical infrastructure repairs, and ensures every dollar is spent wisely,” Harris said. “HJR 7 takes it further by proposing a constitutional amendment to dedicate up to $2 billion in sales tax revenue over the biennium to secure Texas’ water future.”

Should HB 16 pass the board would have more flexibility to carry out their duties for instance:

The bill will be subject to voter approval during the regular session and if it passes, it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. — KTEK/MSN

From the Greater Houston Partnership:

Texas lawmakers are moving forward with securing the state’s long-term water future with sweeping new legislation aimed at increasing water availability and funding critical infrastructure improvements. Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) lays out a comprehensive framework to address these challenges, reinforcing the state’s commitment to sustainable water solutions.

The Partnership joins Texas 2036, a leading voice in the statewide coalition, in supporting this critical initiative. Filed by Sen. Charles Perry in early March, SB 7 represents one of the most anticipated policy measures of the legislative session.

Here’s a look at the proposed legislation in both chambers.

What’s in the Bill?

Sen. Perry was emphatic about the need for Texas to deliver a solution. “Water scarcity is no longer a distant threat,” the senator said in his Thursday press release announcing the bill’s filing. “It’s here, and it’s already disrupting the lives of Texans across the state. From West and South Texas, where agriculture is being strangled, to communities struggling to keep up with economic and industrial growth, the lack of water has become the biggest limiting factor for our state’s future.”

For decades, Sen. Perry has been a leading voice on this issue. SB 7 is the culmination of decades of work that saw its first taste of victory in 2023 with the creation of the Texas Water Fund. In SB 7, the plan includes three key components: expanded authority for the Texas Water Development Board to deliver funding for water projects, enhanced legislative oversight through the restructured Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee, and improved reporting and accountability measures.

What are ‘Sweeping Changes’?

SB 7 is targeting the following initiatives to bring new water resources across the Lone Star State:

• Creates the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee to provide oversight of all Texas Water Fund activities
• Requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWBD) to submit a biennial progress report to the Legislature regarding projects financed with Texas Water Fund money
• Creates the Office of Water Supply Conveyance Coordination to optimize water supply infrastructure construction for regional and statewide interconnection and interoperability
• Protects non-saline groundwater reserves in the state’s rapidly depleting freshwater aquifers
• Preserves local control over surface water rights
• Authorizes TWDB’s state water bank program to purchase out-of-state water for importation to meet the needs of Texans across the state
• Expands both project eligibility for financing from the New Water Supply for Texas Fund and the available methods of financing
• Prioritizes wastewater treatment projects in rural communities and small cities for financial assistance
• Adds the Flood Infrastructure Fund to the Texas Water Fund structure, allowing flood projects to be financed using the funding stream constitutionally dedicated by Senate Joint Resolution 66.

Click here to download the one-pager outlining the goals for SB 7 and Senate Joint Resolution 66.

What is in the House Bill?

There are many similarities between SB 7 and House Bill 16  (HB 16) by Representative Cody Harris. The latter is broader in scope, with differences in approach to water infrastructure development, financial allocations, legislative oversight, and reporting measures. Here are several highlights from HB 16:

• Expands funding for produced water treatment projects, excluding those identified for oil and gas exploration
• Emphasizes prioritization of rural populations (less than 150,000) and projects with significant progress on state/federal permitting
• Allows funding transfers for the economically distressed areas program account and ensures funding for public water awareness, water conservation, and water loss mitigation
• Slightly modifies the makeup of Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee—including a seat for Texas Department of Emergency Management
• Expands the duties of the committee to conduct regular reviews of historically underutilized businesses participation, annual reports on statewide supply expansion, and direct oversight of state water project funding
• Requires regular reports to the legislature with updates on project delivery, completed infrastructure repairs and economic benefits of funded projects

What’s Next?

HB 16 has already been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. SB 7 will likely be referred to the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, which Sen. Perry chairs.
 

See the introduced version of HB 14 by clicking here

See the introduced version of the similar bill in the Texas Senate, SB 2967, by clicking here

March 20, 2025 — From the Texas Public Policy Foundation: “Authored by Representative Cody Harris, HB 14 proposes a framework to support the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in Texas for the purpose of bolstering energy security and economic growth through strategic collaboration, investment, and enhanced regulatory programs.

“The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) forecasts that Texas’ total annual load will double from 2023 to 2029 (ERCOT, 2024a, p. 4). While that amount of growth will not be realized in this decade, even realizing a portion of that growth demands more reliable and scalable electricity generation capacity in the ERCOT region. Nuclear energy will be essential in meeting this growing demand over the next decades. As the federal government reduces regulations and expands opportunities for nuclear development, Texas has the capability to lead the nation in the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.” See the entire statement by clicking here

From Public Citizen: Re: HB 14, Nuclear Energy – Public Citizen testimony in opposition 

Dear Chairman King and Members of the Committee: 

On behalf of 30,000 members and supporters in Texas, Public Citizen appreciates the opportunity to testify against HB 14, relating to funding mechanisms within the Office of the Governor and Texas Public Utility Commission to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in this state. We must oppose this bill because we do not think taxpayer dollars should support unproven nuclear technologies and we do not believe the bill will lead to more affordable energy on the ERCOT grid within a reasonable time. 

Tier 1 and 2 payments are available before a project generates any electricity. 

HB 14’s tiered payment system provides grant funding for projects at three separate tiers of completion, as follows. 

1. Tier 1 is for initial development costs.
2. Tier 2 is for costs associated with construction, with 30% of a grant awarded while the nuclear commission is considering the application and 70% awarded after the final investment decision is made by the company building the project. Tier 2 funds can even be given for costs incurred before a project enrolls in the Texas Advanced Nuclear Deployment program.
3. Tier 3 is for projects that are activated and operating and are awarded on a per megawatt basis.  

This means that projects can be awarded Tier 1 and 2 funds without generating any electricity at all. The bill does includes a provision that Tier 1 and 2 agreements may include a requirement to repay funds if no operating license is obtained. If this bill moves forward, we recommend a deadline for generating electricity be set, with any project not meeting that deadline required to return funds. See the entire statement by clicking here

March 20, 2025 — The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report showing the Railroad Commission of Texas successfully used federal grant funding for orphaned well plugging and complied with all related laws and regulations.

The RRC utilized its 40 years of well plugging expertise to expend a $25 million Initial Grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress. The agency plugged more than 760 orphaned wells through the Initial Grant.

The Inspector General concluded that “We found that the State of Texas properly expended IIJA orphaned well initial grant funds and fulfilled program goals in accordance with applicable laws, Federal regulations, and grant terms…We make no recommendations as there are not reportable findings.” The audit also noted that the RRC “performs enhanced monitoring on all the contractual work performed on the well-plugging using IIJA funds” submitting daily reports on all completed work and costs as well as performing three levels of review to ensure invoice accuracy.

  

The majority of oil and gas wells that are no longer producing are plugged by the responsible operators. If an operator is non-compliant or goes out of business the well is considered orphaned, and the Railroad Commission administers a program to plug the wells.  The IIJA grants supplement state funds that are used annually to plug orphaned wells across the state.

The RRC is now utilizing the first phase of IIJA Formula Grants to plug wells. However, the formula grants include administrative hurdles that are not specified in the IIJA, such as reviews of Endangered Species Act compliance and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, that significantly delay plugging projects. In fact, in the first 12 months of the IIJA Formula Grant, the RRC plugged 45 percent fewer wells using federal funds than were plugged during the first 12 months of the IIJA Initial Grant due to the reviews.

“We are proud to remain a leader in well plugging efforts nationwide and look forward to working with the new Secretary of the Interior to expeditiously plug wells in Texas,” said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang. “According to a recent Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission…
 

By Kevin A. Schug & Alexander Kaplitz, University of Texas at Arlington, from The Conversation

March 20, 2025 — Because plastic is so commonly used, finding new ways to manage and recycle plastic waste is becoming ever more important. Plastic waste pyrolysis is one technology that could help address this issue.

This is a relatively new technique, so researchers still have only a limited knowledge of the pyrolysis process. As analytical chemists, we strive to understand the composition of complex mixtures, especially new creations from sources such as plastic waste pyrolysis.

What is plastic pyrolysis?

Plastic pyrolysis is a chemical process that involves chemically breaking down plastics into other molecules by heating the plastics to extremely high temperatures in the absence of oxygen.

Unlike traditional plastic recycling, pyrolysis theoretically isn’t limited to specific types of plastic. It could be made to accommodate many of them, although current technology is limited to a few types – polyethylene and polypropylene, used in food containers and bottles – at an industrial scale.

So, plastic pyrolysis could help handle the waste from consumer products such as plastic bags, bottles, milk jugs, packaging materials, wet wipes and even discarded children’s toys. Pyrolysis can also handle more complex plastic waste such as tires and discarded electronics, although solid waste handlers and recyclers avoid certain plastic types in pyrolysis, such as polyvinyl chloride – or PVC, which is found in pipes and roofing products – and polystyrene, used in packaging, as these can create harmful byproducts.

During pyrolysis, the plastic polymers are broken down into smaller molecules, resulting in the production of liquid oil, fuel source gases such as methane, propane and butane, and char.

Char is the solid residue left at the end of the pyrolysis process. It can be used as a carbon-rich material for various applications, including adding it to soil to make it healthier for farming, as it increases soil moisture and pH, benefiting nutrient absorption. Char also has the ability to absorb harmful carbon gases from the air, which can help prevent climate change.

The main downside of char is if it’s used too much it can increase soil alkalinity, which may hinder plant growth.

How pyrolosis works

The plastic pyrolysis process typically involves several key steps.

In the first step of pyrolysis, community recyclers collect the plastic waste and clean it to remove any contaminants. The plastic then gets shredded into smaller…
 

March 20, 2025 — Data source:U.S. Energy Information Administration, Hourly Electric Grid Monitor
Note:ERCOT=Electric Reliability Council of Texas; CT=central time

A February 19–22 cold snap increased electricity demand in Texas, and natural gas-fired electricity generation approached record highs for hourly and daily generation.

Electricity demand in Texas typically peaks in the summer during heat waves and in the winter during cold snaps.

During peaks in electricity demand, grid operators must have dispatchable electricity generation sources available to service net electricity load, which is the generation required to meet demand after subtracting supply from intermittent sources such as wind and solar. Surges in electricity demand in the region overseen by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) are primarily supplied by natural gas-fired generation; ERCOT manages approximately 90% of the electricity load in Texas. In addition to demand surges, natural gas-fired generation rises to meet supply requirements during periods of lower wind and solar generation. In February’s cold snap, demand increased and combined wind and solar generation decreased.

According to our Hourly Electric Grid Monitor, natural gas-fired electricity generation in the region increased to 48.8 gigawatts (GW) between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. central time on February 20, 193% higher than the same time on February 18 (the day before the cold snap) and only 1% below the previous record set on January 16, 2024. Rising temperatures during the daylight hours on February 20 decreased electricity generation needs, which led to lower natural gas-fired generation during the daytime.

Although hourly natural gas generation peaked on February 20, daily natural gas-fired electricity generation peaked during the cold snap on February 21 at 991.9 gigawatthours (GWh). Natural gas generation on February 21 was the second-highest daily level ever recorded in ERCOT and 1% less than the previous record set on December 23, 2022, according to our Hourly Electric Grid Monitor. Average daily natural gas-fired generation during the cold snap was 904.8 GWh, 411.1 GWh (83%) more than the February 2025 daily average and 575.6 GWh (175%) higher than the same period in 2024.

Daily net electricity load peaked at 1,357.4 GWh on February 21 (85% higher than on February 18), of which 73% was served by natural gas-fired generation. Natural …
 

March 13, 2025 — A fire at an electrical substation is being blamed for an underground fire at the Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock, which resulted in students being sent home for an early Spring Break.

There were no injuries reported and no foul play is suspected, according to officials.

About 40% of the buildings on the Tech campus were without power Thursday morning, while Lubbock Power & Light worked to restore service, the campus police department said.

The fire sent blue flames up through manhole covers and there were reports of a gas odor all over campus.

By Thursday afternoon…
 

By Lucia Vasquez

March 12, 2025 — The Texas Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would create a task force to combat the escalating issue of petroleum theft in the state.

Senate Bill 494, authored by Republican Sen. Kevin Sparks of Midland, would form a statewide task force that would “analyze organized oil field theft and recommend solutions” to address petroleum-product theft in Texas, Sparks said on Wednesday. The taskforce, under the oversight of the Railroad Commission of Texas, would be made up of industry stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.

“Thieves engaged in organized theft often operate across multiple jurisdictions, complicating efforts to apprehend and charge them due to a lack of coordination between authorities,” Sparks said.

Petroleum theft has been a persistent problem in Texas. The Energy Security Council…
 

March 12, 2025 —

In February 2025, Corpus Christi Stage 3, an expansion of the existing Corpus Christi liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility, produced its first LNG cargo according to the developer Cheniere Energy. Corpus Christi Stage 3 started producing LNG in December 2024. The start of LNG exports from Corpus Christi Stage 3 follows shortly after the start of exports from another U.S. LNG export facility—Plaquemines LNG Phase 1—also in December.

The Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion facility, located…
 

There are many ways to make hydrogen — a carbon-free energy source and petrochemical ingredient. But no matter the method, all hydrogen production requires a lot of water.

In a recent study, researchers from The University of Texas at Austin examined just how much water the growing Texas hydrogen economy might need. They found that by 2050 new hydrogen production facilities could account for 2–6.8% of water demand in the state.

In comparison to big water draws, such as irrigation or municipal use, hydrogen’s demand is relatively small, said the study’s lead author Ning Lin, an energy economist at UT’s Bureau of Economic Geology. But it has the potential to disproportionately affect communities that face future water issues.

This includes the Gulf Coast, where most current hydrogen infrastructure is built and where most new hydrogen infrastructure is planned. The State Water Plan projects this region to face large annual shortages of fresh groundwater by 2040.

“Where you put a project can make a huge difference locally,” Lin said. “With multiple hydrogen facilities planned in water-stressed Gulf Coast counties, this study highlights the urgent need for integrated water and energy planning and provides a solid foundation to help policymakers, industry, and communities make informed decisions about hydrogen and water management,” she said.

The research was published in the journal Sustainability.

Eight new hydrogen production facilities are planned for the Gulf Coast and in South Texas as part of the HyVelocity Hub project, a collaboration between industry, academia and non-profits that seeks to build up the hydrogen economy in Texas.

To estimate future water demand, Lin and her colleagues used data from a 2024 National Petroleum Council study that estimated the regional hydrogen demand from 2030–2050 based on two policy scenarios: a net-zero scenario and a stated policy scenario.

The UT researchers examined the water requirements from all aspects of hydrogen production, including water used for cooling. They also examined the water needed for different mixes of “blue hydrogen” and “green hydrogen.” Green hydrogen is produced from water using electricity without carbon dioxide emissions. Blue hydrogen produces emissions and is made by burning natural gas. It can be made low-carbon by trapping its emissions underground using carbon capture and storage technology.

Based on a 50:50 mix of blue and green hydrogen, the researchers determined that water demand for net-zero hydrogen is about 3.4 times more than status-quo hydrogen: 6.8% compared to 2%. Much of the additional water demand is associated with capturing and storing the carbon dioxide emissions from blue hydrogen production.

“Decarbonization is expensive,” Lin said. “You don’t get rid of carbon for free.”

As part of the study, the researchers also provide an overview of water use and water quality for a range of production methods, which affects whether water left over after hydrogen production can be recycled.

For example, green hydrogen production requires ultrapure water that undergoes extensive filtering, so leftover water could be potentially returned to the water supply…
 

February 26, 2025 — The American energy industry has always taken great pride in being innovative, independent, and committed to free market principles. Recently, however, executives at some of the nation’s biggest oil and gas companies are publicly embracing the same corporate welfare schemes that have propped up unreliable so-called “green” energy for decades. This is discouraging because government subsidies distort markets, encourage dependency, and waste taxpayer dollars, whether they are handed to wind farms or carbon capture projects.

As an energy regulator, my position is simple: I am agnostic on technological innovation, but I am categorically opposed to corporate welfare for energy production. I oppose it for “green” energy, and I oppose it for oil and gas. Why? Because I am not a hypocrite. If a technology is viable, it shouldn’t need subsidies; and if it needs subsidies, it is not viable. Economically workable technologies will thrive on their own—they don’t need billions or trillions of debt-financed, taxpayer-funded handouts.

This debate isn’t new. Here in Texas, we saw firsthand how carbon capture projects, like Petra Nova, fold without government support. In 2017, Petra Nova proudly opened its doors for business, with many Texas leaders –me included– attending in support. Three short years later, the company completely shut down. In 2022, Petra Nova announced it was re-opening for business conveniently after the Biden Administration oversaw increased federal funding, through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, for carbon capture projects.

Instead of playing the same game as the “green” energy grifters fighting to enrich themselves from the government trough, major oil and gas companies should fight to level the playing field by eliminating all subsidies for all forms of energy. If they spent even half as much time and resources fighting for free markets instead of virtue-signaling to shareholders with windmills, solar panels, and empty rhetoric about a “carbon-free future,” energy would be cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable for consumers.

Supporters of carbon capture justify subsidies as a way to reduce carbon emissions, yet the facts don’t support the hysteria. Over the last two decades, U.S. CO₂ emissions have already dropped by 16 percent[1], and our oil production is 23 percent[2] cleaner than the global average. The U.S. accounts for about 16 percent[3] of global carbon emissions, while China and other countries continue increasing their emissions unchecked. Even President Biden has admitted, “Even if we do everything perfect, it’s not going to matter.” So why are some in the oil and gas industry aligning with Democrats to push for subsidies that will only invite more government control, more regulation, and ultimately, more attacks on the ability to produce oil and gas? You’d think an industry that helps power 80 percent[4] of the world’s energy would be proud of their contribution that drives mankind forward.

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have for the first time in decades really shined a spotlight on dangers of runaway government spending, and it’s time for the oil and gas industry to stand with them by fighting against government waste. No one likes corporate welfare, especially not the American taxpayers who are footing the bill. It is time to stop playing defense against radical environmentalists and go on offense: end all energy subsidies, eliminate market distortions, and let innovation and competition determine the future.

The bottom line is that America’s energy policy shouldn’t be tipping the scales, it should be a hands-off approach and meritorious by having consumers reward success. If we don’t take a stand now, we’re surrendering leverage to our adversaries for them to dictate the future of American energy. I urge you to reject misguided subsidy schemes and reaffirm a commitment to a strong, independent energy sector—one that thrives on its own merits, not government favoritism.

References: 

1. https://www.iea.org/regions/north-america/emissions
2. https://www.noia.org/new-report-u-s-gulf-of-mexico-oil-gas-production-leads-with-lower-emissions-including-methane/
3. https://www.iea.org/regions/north-america/emissions
4. https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Fossil-Fuels-Still-Account-For-82-Of-Primary-Global-Energy-Consumption.html

By Bethany Blankley

February 26, 2025 — Of the roughly 4,000 bills filed in the Texas legislature so far, about 120 affect the Texas oil and natural gas industry, according to an analysis by the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO).

On Tuesday, several lawmakers discussed legislative priorities at a TIPRO annual meeting in Austin.

State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, who chairs the House Energy Resources Committee, said the committee would “to try to make sure we focus on the important issues facing the state and make sure that this industry is equipped with legislative authority and statutory authority to do what you need to do [to meet] the energy needs of this state.”

State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, said the legislature would be expanding Environmental Social Governance (ESG) prohibitions, strengthening the Texas grid, and address ways to counter federal subsidies for intermittent energy that have distorted the energy market. These are all legislative priorities of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

“ESG has cut off funds for developing natural gas power plants,” Hughes said. “So, Texas is pushing back on that. Then a big investment last session, we’ll be…
 

February 12, 2025 — In his State of the State address on Sunday, Governor Abbott called for a “Texas-sized” investment in the state’s water infrastructure. The state water plan estimates that demand for water will increase by 9% by 2050, while water supply available during a drought will decline by 18%. So state water planners are understandably concerned we meet might not have enough water to meet our needs in the future, especially as climate change brings more frequent and severe drought and higher temperatures increase evaporation from our reservoirs.

However, creating new water supplies can have a big impact on the environment. New reservoirs, such as the proposed Marvin Nichols reservoir, require flooding vast areas of land and wildlife habitat, often seizing land from unwilling sellers via eminent domain. Ocean desalination can harm sensitive coastal ecosystems. Pumping treated oilfield wastewater into rivers and aquifers could contaminate drinking water supplies.

So, Texas should prioritize water efficiency above increasing supply. We should emphasize measures to reduce water waste over the construction of new reservoirs or pipelines. Conservation is better for the environment and often cheaper than supply-side strategies.

2020 water demand by water use category (acre-feet) – Texas State Water PlanPhoto by Staff | TPIN

Here are three water strategies the Legislature should prioritize to help meet the state’s water needs.

1. Fixing broken municipal water mains: Texas has lost over 88 billion gallons of water due to aging and leaking water infrastructure. Identifying and repairing leaks could save enough water to meet the annual needs of Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Laredo, and Lubbock combined. The Governor rightly emphasized the need to “repair pipes to save billions of gallons of water each year.”
2. Agricultural water conservation. Irrigation accounts for the largest share of Texas’ current water use—53 percent of total demand in 2020.  The efficiency of water use in agriculture can be improved with metering of water so farmers better understand how and when water is being used; better management practices such as brush clearing and reduced tillage; adoption of more efficient irrigation technologies, and infrastructure upgrades to limit water losses from canals. Irrigation canals are artificial waterways used for water transportation, typically for agricultural purposes. Lining canals would reduce water loss from ground seepage and smoothing the transport surface increasing water efficiency. According to the Texas International Produce Association, lining all the canals in the Rio Grande Valley could save between 300,000 to 900,000 acre feet of water every single year (the higher number is enough to fill 1.8 million Olympic-sized swimming pools!)

…
 

February 12, 2025 — Texas is known as the energy capital of the world, and for good reason, but the state has fallen behind others in its advancement of nuclear power, so now state leaders are working to change that.

South of Houston, Ft. Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Myers is working with Governer Gregg Abbott and lawmakers currently meeting at the State Capitol to greatly increase the number of small nuclear power plants around the state, and the reasons are numerous.

For one thing, the plants are considered a lot safer than the previous generation of nuclear facilities, which have raised concerns for decades because they’ve generated dangerous radioactive waste, and the nation, in all the years since the first nuclear plants more than 65 years ago, still hasn’t settled on a central national depository for that waste.

Commissioner Myers says the new generation of nuclear plants are much…
 

February 3, 2025 — Texas tax income from O&G for the month of January was down slightly from a year earlier, according to the latest figures from the state comptroller.

Natural gas production severance taxes received were down 8% when compared to January 2024, at $174 million.

Oil production tax income for the state was down 6% from the same month a year ago, at $471 million.

Motor fuel tax income received was up 2% from January of last year, at $313 million.

And motor vehicle sales and rental taxes dropped 5% from last year at this time, at $589 million.

Overall state sales tax revenue totaled $4.3 billion in January, 6.8% more than in January 2024, according to Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

“Retail trade, the largest sector, grew by more than …
 

January 29, 2025 — Electric heavy-duty vehicles offer significant advantages, including reduced noise pollution and lower emissions. However, there’s still a disadvantage to overcome—too many heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs) could overload the grid.

In the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. Thomas Overbye, professor, Dr. Jonathan Snodgrass, a senior research engineer, and electrical engineering graduate students Diana Wallison and Lyric Haylow conducted a three-year project to determine how the grid will be affected if heavy-duty vehicles are electrified in Dallas and Houston, leading to more EVs on Interstate 45.

“In some cases, it would make sense to switch from a diesel truck to an electric truck, especially if they’re just driving in a city, because if those big semis are idling, they’re just burning gas. Whereas if you have an electric truck, you can sit there with zero idle,” Snodgrass said.

“Real pollutants come out of car tailpipes,” Snodgrass said. “If we can reduce or eliminate that, there would be less smog and more efficiency. It’s also it’s just cleaner in general. And imagine if you’re able to reduce traffic noise, especially for people who live along the highways.”

Traditionally, transportation and electric grid researchers don’t often talk to each other, which makes it difficult to determine how much EVs will stress the grid. To conduct adequate EV simulations, you need reliable models of both the transportation system (for instance, how much people drive, where they drive and what the charging demand is going to be) and the grid.

“The problem is that those who model transportation systems oversimplify…
 

January 27, 2025 –– The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) Board Selection Committee has two new board members: Alejandro “Alex” Hernandez and Sigmund “Sig” Cornelius, each for three-year terms effective immediately.

January 16, 2025 — Entergy Texas says it’s looking forward to a “more resilient energy future” now that the Public Utility Commission of Texas has unanimously approved Phase I of its Texas Future Ready Resiliency Plan. 

Implementation of the first phase of the company’s resiliency plan is expected over about a three-year period and “includes $137 million in strategic projects to strengthen the Southeast Texas power grid, reduce storm-related outages, and save customers millions in restoration costs over the coming decades.

“Over the next 50 years, these improvements are projected to reduce outage times by an estimated 1 billion minutes, significantly cutting…
 

As colder weather arrives in Texas, the Texas oil and natural gas industry is many months into its preparations for winter weather events to ensure reliable oil and natural gas production and transportation – no matter the weather.

On top of year-round planning, record-breaking natural gas production, increases in natural gas storage capacity and dramatically expanded pipeline takeaway capacity are bolstering Texas’ winter readiness this year. In fact, Texas produces, moves and stores more natural gas than any state in the nation.

On any given day, Texas produces more than three times the natural gas Texans need for electricity. Our storage capacity holds enough natural gas to power Texas for more than 5 months and modern pipelines can safely move more product from the wellhead and storage than ever before – all of which contribute to a Winter Ready Texas.

Operators begin preparing for cold weather months in advance and have extensive resources in place to monitor and prepare for inclement weather on an ongoing basis and utilize best practices and operational plans in order to maximize product flow. Onsite, seasonal weatherization techniques include methanol injection, temperature activated pumps, steamer units, equipment shelters, and insulated critical lines and valves.

Additional and offsite measures also prepare operators to better respond during inclement weather to ensure assets and personnel are safe and able to respond to critical needs.

Examples of additional measures include secure shelter/housing and pre-positioning personnel to be closer to and access assets; having extra methanol and other supplies on trucks; preparing and draining tanks to increase on-site storage and provide a temporary buffer for necessary 3rd party movement of product; pre-inspection of assets prior to weather event; “line-packing” to maximize product and pressurization in pipelines; communication with 3rd party vendors to prepare for inclement weather contingencies; and identification of the most critical assets to help maintain power from electric utilities and keep production online.

Because of legislative and regulatory reforms passed in 2021, operators with facilities that have been required to weatherize must share their emergency preparedness plans with the RRC. Requirements extend to external support operations such as water disposal wells, a necessary function to continue oil and natural gas production.

Even with these winterization techniques in place, production fluctuations are expected during extreme weather conditions. These production challenges are not unique to Texas but occur in much colder climates, confirming that some disruptions are unavoidable.

During significant weather events and expected production fluctuations, daily production combined with natural gas storage provides ample access to product for power generation and local distribution companies that have contracted for these services.

Power generators with firm contracts for supply, storage, and transmission for the volumes they need during extreme weather prove more reliable and resilient. These three items are paramount for generators to manage costs and readily available fuel.

Finally, several recent policy developments can have a positive impact on Texas’ readiness. The voter-approved Texas Energy Fund is a tool to encourage investments in dispatchable generation projects, and the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, addresses growing concerns over insufficient transmission access in the Permian Basin and represents a bold approach to ensure that the electric grid is equipped to meet current and future needs.

The oil and natural gas industry has worked closely with all stakeholders, lawmakers and regulators to develop and advance comprehensive energy solutions designed to keep Texas secure and ready, no matter the weather. We are all in this together and know that proper planning, preparation and coordination go far in ensuring that Texas is winter ready.

January 7, 2024 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has some concerns over high electricity demand this week.

After issuing a Weather Watch on Sunday (misconstrued by some in the news media as a conservation call) the grid operator on Monday issued an Operating Condition Notice (OCN) for Wednesday, January 8th through Friday, January 10th.

Note: In a statement, ERCOT this week said, ““At this time, grid conditions are expected to be normal, and there is no current expectation of an energy emergency,” ERCOT said in a written statement, adding that it will continue to monitor weather conditions closely.”

An OCN is the first of four levels of communication issued by ERCOT in anticipation of a possible Emergency Condition, in this case “due to the possibility of Freezing…