Dub Taylor Joins Advisory Board of Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation
Former Head of Texas Energy Conservation Office Brings Decades of Clean Energy Expertise\
April 6, 2020
Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation (CTEI) announced today that Dub Taylor has joined the organization’s Advisory Board. For more than 25 years, Dub Taylor has helped advance cost-effective, clean energy technology and policy through his work in the public sector. First, with the Texas Railroad Commission’s Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division, then leading the Texas State Energy Conservation Office under three State Comptrollers.
Matt Welch, State Director of CTEI, said, “we are incredibly fortunate and very appreciative that Dub is joining our organization. His institutional knowledge of energy policy in Texas is a tremendous resource and will be invaluable in the future.”
At the national level, Taylor served on and twice chaired the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). Originally appointed Chair by President George W. Bush’s Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, he was again appointed to this role by former Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry…..
No Easy Solutions to Petroleum Issues
By Alex Mills
April 3, 2020
The economic chaos facing the oil and natural gas industry in the United States is real and it is coming fast like a runaway locomotive blasting everything in its path.
Crude oil prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange have declined from $63 per barrel in January to $20 this week, but the spot price at Cushing, OK., a major trading terminal, closed even lower at $14.10. The posted price for South Texas was $10.50, and Louisiana Light closed at $5.85. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, closed at $19.07.
If these prices hold for an extended period of time, many companies will not be around to see 2021.
The Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas surveyed oil company executives and “more than 80 percent reported a deteriorating outlook for their firms, while a similar share noted increase uncertainty about the future.”
The survey released last week revealed 60 percent of all firms reported lowering capital expenditures this quarter relative to the fourth quarter of 2019…..
Plains Cuts Capex, Stock Contributions
April 7, 2020
Plains All American Pipeline says it’s reducing one-third of its capital expenditure budget in the continuing volatility of oil and gas markets….
EPA Says It Has Pollution Settlement With Houston’s Citation
April 7, 2020
There’s a proposed settlement between the EPA and Houston’s Citation Oil & Gas Corp. over claims of Clean Air Act violations…..
DOJ Antitrust Division Calls Texas Law Unconstitutional
April 7, 2020
The antitrust division of the US Department of Justice is reiterating a recent DOJ argument that a new Texas energy law is unconstitutional…..
ERCOT Sees Modest COVID-19 Change In Electrical Usage
April 7, 2020
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is noting a modest drop in electricity usage in the mornings as it begins weekly updates on load pattern changes…..
Diamondback Stock Jumps, Capex Reduced
April 3, 2020
Diamondback Energy says it’s reducing its capex by 43% for 2020 and will drop several rigs….
New at the RRC: Case Administrative Service Electronic System
April 6, 2020
The public will now have online access to the hearings process at the Railroad Commission of Texas along with a public portal allowing O&G operators to file for hearings online as the commission activates a new system that’s been a long time coming….
Equitrans Has New Board Member
April 2, 2020
The chairman of PNM Resources has taken a chair on the Equitrans Midstream Corp. board…..
CenterPoint Adjusts CapEx, Distribution After Enable Income Loss, Names CFO
April 2, 2020
CenterPoint Energy Inc. is taking action after a reduction in income from one of it’s big investments…..
Co-Deputy Directors Join TCEQ: Report
April 2, 2020
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has two new co-deputy executive directors…..
Whiting Files for Chapter 11
April 1, 2020
Denver’s Whiting Petroleum Corp. is the first O&G victim of the current economic crisis…..
Congressional Stimulus Bill Could Help With Dredging Texas Ports
March 30, 2020
The coronavirus stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27th could help with needed dredging of Texas ports…..
Range Resources Reaffirms Borrowing Base
March 31, 2020
Range Resources says it has reaffirmed its $3 billion borrowing base…..
Consumer Energy Advocate “Applauds” Federal Court Decision For Bayou Bridge Pipeline
March 30, 2020
The US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana has sided with Dallas’ Energy Transfer Partners LP and the federal government is ruling that potential environmental impacts of the Bayou Bridge pipeline in Louisiana were adequately studied, and a consumer energy advocate is applauding the ruling…..
Railroad Commission Adds More Online Mapping Data for Public Viewing: RRC
March 27, 2020
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas continues to enhance transparency by adding more data to its Public Geographic Information System (GIS) Map Viewer. The public can now view information on Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and Brownfield Response Program (BRP) sites around Texas – two programs designed to incentivize the remediation and redevelopment of abandoned oil and gas sites…..
New President At Adams Resources Subsidiary
March 31, 2020
Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. has announced a new president for its wholly-owned subsidiary GulfMark Energy Inc.….
Energy Companies Work to Support Communities During Pandemic
March 30, 2020
Vistra Energy is donating $2 million to non-profits and social service agencies, providing direct relief for people with critical needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in the communities it serves…..
Capital One Gets Government Waiver For Derivatives Exposure In Oil and Gas: Report
Threatened exposure to energy swap markets could “hurt the institution’s ability to keep lending”
March 31, 2020
Despite being a relatively small player in funding energy companies, Capital One has been given a waiver from requirements for registering its exposure to energy derivatives markets, according to one report…..