Saving energy is important, which is why some people believe that energy companies should be able to control output and how much energy is available. Some energy companies do just that, using smart thermostats to control temperatures in homes or to cut back on...
Texas Energy Law Blog
Can Texas put a wind turbine in your backyard?
Wind energy is one of the forms that is going to help bring the country toward a more sustainable future. It focuses on using renewable wind power to energize homes and communities, but there are some issues with it. Wind turbines are large, and they can be unsightly....
It’s a hot one. Can solar and wind power keep up?
Enjoying the hot spell? If you’re on the Texas grid, you’re probably wondering whether supply will continue to meet demand in this record heat. The good news is that power companies continue to make investments in energy development here in Texas and New Mexico. A lot...
Can an oil and gas company force me to sell my land?
If you live in West Texas or southeastern New Mexico, you may have been contacted by an oil and gas company that wants to build new facilities or extend existing facilities here in the Permian Basin. In both states, power companies often have the power of eminent...
New solar panels can thermoelectrically collect energy at night
Engineers at Stanford University have invented a new type of solar cell that collects energy at night. The device works by incorporating a thermoelectric generator. That tiny generator is able to create electricity from the temperature difference between the solar...
Will the EPA’s waiver to allow summer E15 sales lower gas prices?
Recently, the Biden administration announced that it has directed the EPA to suspend a rule barring the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol during the summer months. The gas, referred to as “E15” or “Unleaded 88,” is usually allowed only between Sept. 15 and May...
Texas could be on the verge of entirely phasing out coal power
Did you know? If Texas implements only a third of the wind and solar energy projects that have been proposed to date, it could nearly phase out the use of coal in the state. That’s according to a recent study at Rice University. What’s keeping the Lonestar State from...
Oil production is ramping up in light of sanctions against Russia
We’ve all noticed gas prices rising at the pump. A great deal of those increases is due to the supply chain disruptions and sanctions brought about by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Although the U.S. only buys about 700,000 barrels of crude and refined oil from Russia each...
I’ve just received a condemnation notice. What does it mean?
If you’re a landowner in west Texas or eastern New Mexico, you may have received a notice from an energy company saying that your land will be condemned. Condemnation is another word for the power of eminent domain. Eminent domain is the government’s authority to...
Texas now leads the nation in wind turbine capacity
If a wind energy company has contacted you about buying or leasing your land, you may be wondering if wind energy is a real option for delivering the power Texas and New Mexico need. Wind energy is making up an ever-greater share of our power capacity. In fact, the...
