Carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) is often touted as a solution to mitigate emissions and combat climate change. These projects are in the spotlight  in Texas as major oil and gas companies vie for billions of dollars in federal tax credits. However, Commission Shift has concerns about the risks associated with this technology.

First, CCUS is unproven on a large scale, and there is a risk of carbon dioxide explosions and leaks, or overpressuring of the subsurface, which could have severe environmental and health consequences including earthquakes, sinkholes, water contamination, and asphyxiation. Clearly, the technology needs careful oversight. However, we are dubious about the possibility of the Railroad Commission – the state oil and gas agency – regulating CO2 pipelines and injection wells safely and responsibly.

The focus on CCUS may also divert attention and resources away from cleaner and more sustainable solutions. We urge government actors, policymakers, and industry leaders to prioritize more affordable, safer, and proven emission mitigation rather than relying on untested and potentially risky technologies like CCUS. For more information and Commission Shift’s previous statements on carbon capture, take a look at our webpage.

Online, Wednesday

May 10, 2023 
Reunión virtual miércoles,

10 de mayo de 2023
6:00-7:30 Central
RSVP. RSVP para español.

Commission Shift will be hosting a bilingual community conversation to review parts of the oil and Gas Monitoring and Enforcement Plan for FY 2024. We are inviting an open conversation for attendees who have experienced impacts on their land or in their communities to tell their story and discuss suggestions for improving the plan. RSVP today!

Commission Shift organizará una conversación comunitaria bilingüe para revisar partes del borrador del Plan de Monitoreo Y Cumplimiento de Petróleo y Gas por año fiscal 2024. Nosotros estamos invitando una conversación abierta para los asistentes que han experimentado impactos en su tierra o en sus comunidades para discutir su experiencia y ofrecer sugerencias para mejorar el plan. Esta es la primera vez que el plan está disponible en español al comienzo del período de comentarios. Por favor, comparta con cualquier persona que conozca que pueda querer comentar. ¡Se ruega contestación hoy!

 

April 10: Rice Class Visit

 

Communications Manager, SJ Stout, visited writing Freshmen at Rice University to talk about climate, communication, and Commission Shift’s work. They asked great questions! She blogged about it here: Out of a class of 15 college students, how many have heard about the Railroad Commission of Texas? 

April 20: Socially Responsible Investment Coalition
 

Executive Director, Virginia Palacios, gave a speech to the Socially Responsible Investment Coalition’s Annual Educational Event on her experiences in the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas, environmental justice, and CCUS. At the same event, one of Commission Shift’s advisors, Sister Elizabeth Riebschlaeger, received SRIC’s first ever Citizen Advocate Excellence Award. For over a decade, Sister Elizabeth has worked with small communities throughout the Eagle Ford Shale that are experiencing health impacts and environmental pollution from oil and gas development, helping them to navigate agency complaints and permitting processes, and drawing attention to the issues they face. Congratulations, Sister Elizabeth, and thank you for all of your work advocating for the people of the Eagle Ford Shale!
 

88th Texas Legislative Session

 

Commission Shift has been following key bills this legislative session related to carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS), and orphaned wells. While many of these bills have been framed by industry lobbying groups as an initial “regulatory framework” for CCUS in Texas, some would actually take away the ability of affected people to bring claims against companies that harm them. Commission Shift is advocating to protect the rights of people who will be harmed by carbon dioxide infrastructure, considering that the RRC typically responds to oil, gas, and injection related incidents slowly and ineffectively. You can watch testimony from some of these bills here.

Next week, we’re expecting to see more bills move on to the other chamber (from the house to the senate, and vice versa). Bills must be approved in both chambers, then signed by the Governor to pass. The last day of the legislative session - sine die - is fast approaching on May 29, 2023.

CCUS bills we’re watching:

• HB 1158 / SB 2243 - Offers grant funds from the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) fund for CCUS, allows for tax exemptions for CCUS facilities.
   
• SB 2107 - The introduced version would have allowed for operators to transfer liability of their carbon dioxide injection wells to the state within 10 years of well closure. The latest version does not include that language.
   
• HB 4557 - Prevents nuisance claims related to pollution or injuries from carbon dioxide infrastructure. Significantly narrows a person’s ability to make a claim against a CCUS company related to noneconomic damages, including but not limited to physical pain and suffering, disfigurement, or physical impairment.

Thank you for being part of our effort to reform oil and gas oversight in Texas. Together we can make the Railroad Commission of Texas a stronger agency that plans for our energy future and puts people and the environment first.

COMING UP

 

May 10: Commission Shift Community Conversation (Virtual)
May 15: Commission Shift Poster Contest Deadline to Submit
May 17: RRC Oil and Gas Open Meeting (participate in Austin, or watch virtually)
May 26: Draft Monitoring and Enforcement Plan Comment Deadline
June 5-8: Green Latinos National Summit

SAVE THE DATE EVENTS

Commission Shift Poster Contest

Submissions due May 15, 2023

$800 first place prize, $200 honorable mention.

 

 

Commission Shift is pleased to announce that we are open for submissions for our annual poster contest.  Submissions can come from anyone based in Texas, and should reflect images and messages around our mission statement and values, or any of our education and outreach programs centered on reforming the Railroad Commission of Texas, our state's oil and gas agency. 

 

GreenLatinos National Summit 2023 // Junta Nacional GreenLatinos 2023

La Cantera in San Antonio, TX

June 5-8, 2023

Our comunidad of top Latino/a/e environmental, conservation, and climate justice champions, grassroots community leaders, policy advocates, elected and appointed officials, academics, philanthropists, sustainability and clean energy professionals, and many others will gather June 5-8, 2023 at La Cantera in San Antonio, TX. Questions on this year’s Summit? Email Summit@GreenLatinos.org

Nuestra comunidad de los principales campeones latinos del medio ambiente, la conservación y la justicia climática, líderes comunitarios de base, defensores de políticas, funcionarios electos y designados, académicos, filántropos, profesionales de la sostenibilidad y la energía limpia, y muchos otros se reunirán del 5 al 8 de junio de 2023 en La Cantera en San Antonio, TX. ¿Preguntas sobre la Junta de este año? Envía un correo electrónico a Summit@GreenLatinos.org

Railroad Commission OIl and Gas Open Meeting

Virtual

May 17, 2023

 

This past meeting the state oil and gas agency released their draft Monitoring and Enforcement Plan for FY 2024. Virginia Palacios, Commission Shift Executive Director, gave public comment calling on the Railroad Commission to hold  .  Pecos County rancher Schuyler Wight asked what if anything Chairman Christi Craddick had done 
Listen to Commission Shift’s recap of the last open meeting here.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

• Great article about the dangers of CO2 pipelines, and how our regulatory agencies like PHMSA are failing us on safety. More folks must know about the dangers associated with this technology.
   
• Meanwhile in Texas, liability and CCUS is heading for trouble: "Why injecting CO2 underground is a legal morass”
   
• Virginia Palacios was able to appear on her local Laredo news station with news about her White House task force appointment on CCUS permitting. We are excited to bring local stories of real impacted Texans to the national stage. Catch her two interviews here and here (minute 2:24).
   
• New Explainer Series! Check out Commission Shift's short video series explaining orphan wells and our recommendations for cleaning up and preventing them.

P.S. Be sure to follow Commission Shift on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

 

Commission Shift
212 Flores Avenue
Laredo, TX 78040
United States

 

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