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For the sake of all that's accessable!
By LeslieWilber in For your information
February 12, 2008

So after about four months here, by beat still uncovers oddities (at least I think they're oddities) that remind me, yeah, I'm the new kid.

Example: Last week, I was looking for the state group that regulates natural gas lines. Seems like that would be the utility commission. So I called and called and called.

Turns out, although we can all agree that natural gas is a utility, the utility commission does not regulate gas lines. Silly me, The RAILROAD commission does. The railroad commission, apparently has nothing to do with trains.

Is there someone who can give me a concise, easy-to-understand explanation?

Any other strangely named groups I should know about, to save time in the future?

Comments


  • LeslieWilber LeslieWilber Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Thanks! That makes it clear, if not intuitive.

    February 13, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.

  • ErnieCash ErnieCash Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Nope, no explanation but having worked in the oil and gas industry for nigh onto thirty years now, I could have told you it was the Railroad Commission that regulates natural gas conveyance pipelines. I wasn't aware however, that they regulate the delivery lines which is what I assume you were looking for.
    Natural gas is also a commodity that has to be transported from where it's produced (S. Texas) to where it's consumed; New York for example. Hence the old adage that if those yanks perturb us we can shut off the supply and let 'em freeze in the dark. :-) The easiest and most efficient method of completing the transport is via pipeline and the RRC regulates that part in Texas as it also does the drilling, completion and ultimate abandonment of all oil and gas wells. In OK the same processes are regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission - which seems at least slightly more logical.
    All things considered, that's about the only thing that comes to mind that's more logical there than here... I mean after all, those yahoos picked Hillary in their primary. How smart can they be?? :-)
    Ernie

    February 12, 2008 at 7:12 p.m.