June 10, 2019
State Budget Certified, Governor Ready to Sign
Comptroller lauds the Legislature for passing education and property tax reforms but notes that long-term liability concerns continue to put downward pressure on the state’s credit rating
June 11, 2019
The governor’s signature is all that’s needed for the new Texas biennial budget to become law.
Comptroller Glenn Hegar has certified the general appropriations act approved by the legislature — House Bill 1 with more than $250 billion in spending for 2020-21 — and sent it to Governor Greg Abbott‘s desk…..
Consumer-Friendly Changes Coming to Windstorm Insurance Assoc.
June 11, 2019
The Texas wind storm and hail insurer of last resort will make some consumer-friendly changes after its Sunset review….
Texas Land Board Survives Sunset Review With Changes
State board that manages land and mineral rights including oil and gas, solar, wind and thermal geopower income will continue but there will be changes after Sunset report
The Texas School Land Board will continue for another 12 years but will need to make some changes in how it operates under new legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott….
Governor To Name Appointee to New Texas Electric Grid Security Council
June 10, 2019
A cooperative council to research and find solutions to — and cope with — the threat of cyberattacks to the electrical grid is set to begin in September…..
Electric Co-Ops To Help Bring Broadband to Rural Texas
Second of four bills on Texas broadband gets the Governor’s okay
June 10, 2019
Texas electric co-operatives will bring broadband service to neglected areas of the state under new legislation….
Texas Legislature’s Resolution for 2020 “Year of the Gulf”
Resolution recognizes Gulf’s essential place in the Texas energy industrry
June 10, 2019
The year 2020 will be “The Year of the Gulf” of Mexico, under a 2019 Texas Legislature resolution signed by Governor Greg Abbott…..
Port of Beaumont Navigation District Has New Rules and Responsibilities Under Governor-Signed Legislation
June 10, 2019
The Port of Beaumont will have more specific powers and responsibilities — including some limitations on eminent domain actions — under a new law to take effect on September 1st….
Gasoline Prices Decline as Summer Begins: Alex Mills
June 10, 2019
By Alex Mills
School is out. Before long families will load up the SUV and begin heading down the highways. They will find a decline in gasoline prices in recent weeks that are an average of 13 cents lower than last year.
The Energy Information Administration reports gasoline prices averaged $2.69 per gallon in the U.S. last week down from $2.82 in 2018. Texas had the lowest price of $2.42, and California had the highest at $3.928.
Gasoline prices peaked in July 2007 at $4.05 per gallon. The most recent low price occurred in February 2016 at $1.63.
The major reason for the decline has been a decrease in crude oil prices, which have dropped almost $20 per barrel from a high of $70 a few months ago. Oil closed on the New York Mercantile Exchange at $51.64 on Wednesday, declining $1.75 during the week….
It’ll Be Days Before All Power To 200,000 Is Restored In North Texas Following Storms: Oncor
Fallen trees being removed, outside crews called in as Dallas-Ft. Worth area cleans up following storms
June 10, 2019
About 200,000 Oncor customers in North Texas are still without power Monday evening after high winds destroyed power lines and distribution equipment during Sunday storms……
Number of Required PUC Reviews of Electricity M&As Reduced Under New Legislation
June 10, 2019
The regulatory burden on the Public Utility Commission of Texas will be a little bit lighter with some minor changes to the state Utilities Code….
Joint Interim Committee Will Continue to Study Proposed Texas Coastal Barrier System
June 9, 2019
The Joint Interim Committee to Study a Coastal Barrier System will continue public hearings and identify details for the “Ike Dike.”….
Changes to Pollution Control Loans from the Texas Water Development Board
June 9, 2019
There have been paperwork changes to the Texas Water Code as it relates to state loans for pollution control….
Oil Rig Count Down 11, Gas Up 2: Baker Hughes GE
June 8, 2019
The U.S. commercial rig count dropped eleven oil rigs for the week ending June 7th, and added two gas rigs for a loss of nine rigs, according to data from Baker Hughes GE….
How the Corps of Engineers Removed 1.5 Million Pounds of Radioactive Material From a Ship Off the Texas Coast
June 4, 2019
By Christopher Gardner, US Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed the safe removal of more than 1.5 million pounds of radioactive material from STURGIS — a WWII Liberty Ship turned into the first floating nuclear power plant in the 1960s.
The Corps’ Baltimore District was tasked with the unique mission to decommission and dismantle the STURGIS, and its nuclear reactor, known as MH-1A, which was used to generate electricity for military and civilian use in the Panama Canal for several years before being shut down in 1976….
Texas O&G-Related Sales Tax Income Continues to Rise
June 4, 2019
Production tax income from Texas oil and natural gas continued an impressive rise during May, according to Comptroller Glenn Hegar….
More TCEQ Employees Allowed to Work Expedited Permits Under New Legislation Signed by Governor
June 3, 2019
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed legislation allowing more personnel to be used for expedited permits at the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality ….
Motor Fuel Tax and “Bulk Transfer” Qualifications and Terms Spelled Out In New Law
June 3, 2019
A bill redefining the term “bulk transfer” in connection with the movement of motor fuel from one location to another in Texas has been signed by Governor Greg Abbott.…
Allens Creek Reservoir Project Goes from Houston to Brazos Authority Under Bill Signed By the Governor
June 3, 2019
Control over the proposed Allen’s Creek Reservoir project goes from the City of Houston to the Brazos River Authority under a bill signed on Saturday by Governor Greg Abbott.…
Governor Signs Bill Designating Owner Responsibility for Too-Tall Truck Overpass Hits
June 3, 2019
Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill aimed at reducing the number of bridge and overpass hits from too-tall trucks….
Radioactive Substance Release Notification Bill Signed by Texas Governor
June 3, 2019
Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law a bill calling for quick notification of local areas where a radioactive substance has been released into the environment….