Will Not Attend

Donald Trump did not attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Trump broke the tradition of a peaceful transition. MAGA didn’t call out Trump for skipping Biden’s swearing-in. I really don’t want to hear about MAGA calling out Democrats for saying they will not attend next Monday’s ceremony.

Monday is also MLK Jr. Day and a national holiday.

_____

Here is an online headline of a Chron story today:

Houston leaders react to Trump’s mass deportation immigration plan

Here is a great quote in the article from H-Town Mayor John Whitmire:

I wish it wasn’t an issue, but you know, he’s a demagogue and he’s playing to the crowd

I love it.

Here is the article: Houston leaders react to Trump’s mass deportation immigration plan.

_____

It is good to see this problem addressed. This is the lead story in the hard copy of the Chron today:

Oil and gas wells are leaking in such spectacular fashion that on several occasions fixing a single well has become a multi-million-dollar operation for the Texas Railroad Commission.

Onshore wells typically cost about $30,000 to plug, yet the commission has paid more than 10 times that amount to plug wells that are gushing with contaminated water. The commission, which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, spent about $13 million on two plugging projects in September alone, according to reports obtained through a records request. 

These high-cost plugging projects are increasing in frequency, forcing the commission last fall to request $100 million in additional funding to address them — an amount that, if granted, would increase its state-funded well plugging budget by about 75% for the current fiscal year. As the 89th Texas legislative session kicks off, it remains unclear to what extent taxpayers will need to pitch in to pay for the problem. 

Until now, fees and fines paid by the oil and gas industry have primarily covered the cost of the commission’s annual plugging work, but as the commission takes on more high-cost leaking wells, the plugging program is outgrowing the traditional funding model, budget documents show. 

The commission’s unprecedented funding request foreshadows a likely trend, said Dwayne Purvis, founder of Purvis Energy Advisors. Purvis said the state should get ahead of the problem by forming a new fund and charging oil companies a small fee per barrel of production to finance it.

“The less reform we have to the current financial requirements, the more money we would need to come from taxpayers,” he said. 

Oil and gas companies are required to plug a well once they are done with it, but small operators often dissolve or go bankrupt before they do, leaving the Railroad Commission to pick up the tab. And that tab is growing.

Here is the entire read: Will taxpayers have to cover Texas’ leaking oil gas and wells?.

Let’s hope the oil and gas companies are held responsible and not us taxpayers.

_____

Starting times have now been set for Astros games at Daikin Park this season. Our home opener is a 3:10 pm first pitch against the Mets, Thursday, March 27. We have an off day on Sunday of opening week, March 30. On Wednesday, April 2, we have a 3:10 pm first pitch against the Giants. After that, there will be five games that will have 1:10 pm starts on weekdays in April, May, June, July and August. On Labor Day, Monday, September 1, we host the Angels with a 1:10 pm start.

_____

The Texans and Chiefs square off tomorrow afternoon. Wear your gear as in the featured photo. Go Texans!