Latest News
Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham opposes federal offshore wind turbine auction
By Lone Star Standard | May 9, 2024
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has expressed her opposition to the proposed federal auction of offshore lands for wind turbine construction in a letter addressed to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The letter, dated April 29, highlighted several recent failures of offshore wind projects in U.S. waters.
CPS Energy plans to shut down part of the Braunig Power Station
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 30, 2024
CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned provider of electric and natural gas services in Texas, has informed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the manager of the state's electric grid, of its intention to decommission the three oldest natural gas-fired generating units at its Braunig Power Plant. The notification was issued on March 13.
Declining wind generation is not keeping up with increased demand for electricity in Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 24, 2024
The latest report on the electricity generation mix in Texas reveals a decline in wind power generation amidst an increased use of electricity across most of the state. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the grid for approximately 90% of Texas, indicates that wind generation has decreased by over 7% for the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Texas Permanent School Fund fires BlackRock as investment manager
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 19, 2024
The Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation (Texas PSF) has issued a letter to BlackRock Investment Management, terminating its role as the investment manager for $8.5 billion of PSF funds that support Texas public schools. The decision is in line with a 2021 Texas law mandating state agencies to divest from investment firms that boycott energy companies under environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.
Texas Oil and Gas Association announces promotions of senior staff members
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 10, 2024
The Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) announced promotions of two members of senior staff, naming both Vice Presidents of Government and Regulatory Affairs.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at power grid investment summit: reliability issues require 'public-private partnership'
By Christin Nielsen | Apr 8, 2024
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick organized an energy summit with Blackrock CEO Larry Fink in February.
TXOGA President: 'Texas’ new production and export milestones continue to highlight the Lone Star State’s role as a global energy leader'
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 8, 2024
Todd Staples, President of Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), stated that the record high production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in Texas in 2023 has solidified the state as a "global energy leader." Staples made this assertion in a TXOGA press release dated March 26.
Texas Railroad Commission releases oil and gas production statistics for January 2024
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 5, 2024
The Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) has disclosed statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for January 2024, drawing from data compiled from 161,408 oil wells and 84,725 gas wells. The agency clarified that the crude oil production it reports pertains solely to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the TRC.
The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 709 original drilling permits in March 2024
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 5, 2024
On April 2, the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) released its drilling and completion statistics for March 2024. A press release from the agency stated that a total of 709 original drilling permits were issued in March.
TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $207,958
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has announced fines totaling $207,958 for violations of state environmental regulations. The penalties were approved during a recent meeting, as reported on Mar 28, 2024.According to the official statement, the fines include penalties of $191,118 against 12 regulated entities. The violations covered a range of categories, with agreed orders issued for various enforcement categories such as multi-media, municipal wastewater discharges, petroleum storage tanks, and public water systems. Default orders were also issued for...
TPPF Launches National Center for Energy Analytics
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 21, 2024
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has inaugurated the National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA), a national energy think tank spearheaded by TPPF fellow Mark P. Mills.
CPS Energy announces closure of a natural gas-fired power plant
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 20, 2024
CPS Energy, a public utility provider of electric and natural gas services in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties, has announced the closure of its V.H. Braunig electric generation facility. In a filing to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the company stated it will "indefinitely suspend operations" of three units of the facility totaling 859-megawatts as of March 31, 2025.
Texas public utilities are promoting DEI policies
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 20, 2024
Several major electric utilities in Texas, including CenterPoint Energy, are advocating for internal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as crucial to their long-term success. This initiative coincides with the implementation of a new law, penned by Texas state Sen. Brandon Creighton, that prohibits state public colleges and universities from establishing DEI offices.
The Center for the American Experiment announces study examining the realities and limitations of renewable energy
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 19, 2024
The Center for the American Experiment has released a study exploring the practicalities and constraints of a power grid with significant levels of renewable energy generation. The study identifies three key issues that proponents of renewable energy have yet to address.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said solar generation will decline during April eclipse
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 19, 2024
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has announced that solar farm generation will significantly decline during the total solar eclipse on April 8. This will mark the first total eclipse since Texas began heavily relying on solar generation to power its grid.
Bryce: 'The energy transition to a grid mainly powered by wind and solar projects will not happen'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 13, 2024
A recent report by energy expert Robert Bryce reveals that the United States is not constructing enough high-voltage transmission capacity to facilitate the much-anticipated "energy transition" from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The successful execution of this transition relies heavily on a substantial expansion of the grid. However, Bryce highlights that the prohibitive costs and declining rate of capacity additions are rendering this transition increasingly unlikely.
TCEQ Announces 2024 Texas Environmental Excellence Award Winners
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 13, 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality revealed the recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Among the winners are organizations, educators, and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation.In the realm of civic and community initiatives, Keep San Angelo Beautiful's Tires-To-Go project was recognized for its contributions. Similarly, Keep Irving Beautiful's KIB Environmental Education program stood out in the education category. Venessa Wallace from Peet Junior High in Conroe...
New research suggests that increasing costs of large turbines may outweigh their benefits
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 4, 2024
A new study published in the Harvard Business Review posits that the costs of maintaining and decommissioning large turbines may eventually surpass the benefits derived from the energy they capture. The research was conducted by professors Sam Aflaki, Atalay Atasu, and Luk Van Wassenhove.
New natural gas-fueled power plant planned for Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 21, 2024
A new natural gas generation plant, with the capacity to power 800,000 Texas homes, is set to be constructed in Central Texas. The plant will be built by Sandow Lakes Energy Company and is expected to start generating electricity by 2028.
Wind generation in Texas continues its decline from last year
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 19, 2024
In January, production from Texas wind farms declined by 22% compared to the same month last year, as per data recently released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the state's grid. This decrease continues a year-long slump for wind energy.
