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

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

Solar is now bigger than coal in China — and yet still way behind

Task force warns of worsening drought on track to match last year

Comparing green space for urban cooling, study

Satellite images of penguin droppings reveal impact of antarctic warming

Farmers are growing a new grain to combat climate change

Air pollution from ships may be more harmful than road traffic emissions, port study finds

Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak town as haze reaches critical level

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.