Representation

With the legislature looking at adjournment May 8, a bill (HB 1269) that would restrict oil and natural gas representation and participation on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) passed out of committee on a partisan 3-2 vote late Monday night, worrying industry backers.

Three Ohio legislators have asked the state’s attorney general to determine the source of a five-page document that, if authentic, could prove individuals connected to the energy industry are using deceptive practices to persuade property owners to sign oil and gas leases.

Texas Senate lawmakers Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation that would abolish the three-member Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and replace it with the one-member Texas Oil and Gas Commission. The bill is headed for the House Energy Resources Committee, where a three-member commission is favored by Chairman Jim Keffer (R-Eastland).

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) , a Wisconsin non-profitorganization dedicated to ensuring public representation forresidential, farm and small business utility customers, is thelatest entity to choose sides in the ongoing battle betweenCoastal’s ANR Pipeline and the Guardian Pipeline Project. Theconsumer “watchdog” organization voiced its support for Guardianpublicly yesterday, saying the project will provide gasdistribution competition to a state that sorely needs it.