Texas considers bills against Biden administration's stance on oil, gas and renewables

Texas is considering bills that would put the state in opposition to the Biden administration's stance on oil and gas, as well as renewable energy.

One bill would prohibit state officials from enforcing any federal oil and gas law that would contradict Texas state law, The Hill reported Wednesday.

The bipartisan bill, H.B. 33, would ban state officials and agencies from "providing assistance to any federal agency or official regarding the enforcement of the federal statute, order, rule or regulation, regulating oil and gas operations — if the regulation is not already existing in state law," Republican state Rep. Brooks Landgraf, the bill's primary author, told the Texas House Energy Resources committee Monday.

Other proposed bills would prohibit prospective bans on gas-powered lawn equipment or gas hookups, tax non-gas-powered electric generators and create fees for hybrid and electric vehicles. 

The state Senate is considering bills that would mandate for all solar and wind projects in the state to undergo strict permitting and environmental regulations, including telling all property owners within 25 miles about the plan. However, the oil and gas industry does not have similar requirements.