Texas Energy Law

• Semester: Spring 2026
• Course ID: 290J-1
• Credit Hours: 2
• Unique: 29670

Registration Status: Closed

Description

This course divides the semester into roughly four parts.  In the first quarter of the semester, we examine oil production, globally, within OPEC and OPEC+, the US, and particularly in Texas.  We will discuss the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), its constitutional and statutory underpinnings, along with noteworthy Texas Supreme Ct. cases involving the RRC.  We finish this section by examination of interesting RRC rules and orders, including those related to disposal wells, production sharing agreements/allocation wells, spacing rules, and the Mineral Interest Pooling Act. 

The second quarter of the semester explores energy delivery in Texas, particularly regulated transmission and distribution (TDU) electric utilities and natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). We examine the elements of a successful rate case and review numerous cases examining Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and RRC treatment of various elements of a rate case. We'll also examine the competitive electric market in ERCOT and discuss several court cases arising from the events of Winter Storm Uri.

In the third quarter, we will discuss energy infrastructure development in Texas, and examine major transmission development, such as Docket No. 38354, the "Hill Country CREZ line," and the "Permian Basin Reliability Plan" 765 KV transmission backbone.

The final quarter of the semester will focus on federal cases related to energy and the environment, including an examination of 'Chevron deference,' as interpreted recently by the U.S. Supreme Court.  

We may have a guest lecturer or two from the RRC, PUCT, or ERCOT. 

Your performance in this course will be evaluated on the basis of a four-hour (maximum), open book, open note (but no access to the internet) mid-term exam administered either the Friday before Spring Break or the Monday after Spring Break; a closed book, closed note (no access to the internet), four-hour (maximum) final exam administered during finals weeks; and in-class active participation. The percentages that comprise your overall grade in the class are 30%, 60% and 10%, respectively.  There is no textbook for this class.  Reading assignments and discussion material will be posted on Canvas in advance of the pertinent class. You should assume that the reading requirement is moderate.  No more than two absences will be allowed (without express prior approval of the instructor.)