Craddick faces competition in Texas Railroad Commission race over energy industry regulation

Incumbent Christi Craddick is running for re-election as the chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, while challengers argue the agency isn’t doing enough to regulate the oil and gas industry.

Alejandra Martinez reports for The Texas Tribune.

In short:

Christi Craddick highlights her achievements in streamlining oil and gas permitting, opposing federal regulations and supporting industry growth.
Opponents criticize Craddick’s oversight, citing weak environmental protections and a lack of transparency in public meetings.
Key issues include plugging orphan wells, pipeline safety and the agency's overall role in safeguarding groundwater.

Key quote:

“We need to protect our water, and we need to do whatever is possible to make sure that we are not threatening any of our groundwater and our drinking water across the state.”

— Katherine Culbert, Democratic candidate for Texas Railroad Commission.

Why this matters:

Texas is the largest oil-producing state in the U.S., and the Texas Railroad Commission’s decisions directly impact environmental safety, water quality and the state’s role in climate change mitigation.

www.texastribune.org

A map of the Great Lakes and surrounding U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Credit: Lesniewski/BigStock Photo ID: 202538167

The Great Lakes want to be the Silicon Valley of water

As climate extremes dry out the West and global tensions mount, the Great Lakes region is betting big on its most abundant resource: fresh water. The first in a series investigating the blue economy in the Great Lakes region.

Brett Walton reports for the Great Lakes News Collaborative: Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now, Michigan Public, and The Narwhal.

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