gas

Yesterday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that could ban state cooperation with the enforcement of some federal regulations on oil and gas production in the state. But the new law has a big loophole that will likely allow state and local agencies to continue enforcing many if not all federal regulations.

The proposed law would prohibit any state agency or its employees from contracting with or providing assistance "to a federal agency or official with respect to the enforcement of a federal statute, order, rule, or regulation purporting to regulate oil and gas operations" if it does not exist under the laws of Texas.