June 26 — The agency has been chronically underfunded in recent years as the oil bust reduced the fees it collects and increased the number of abandoned well sites it has had to clean up. Operating at a deficit over the past year, the agency’s cut its budget by $1.3 million a month, froze hiring, cut back plans to update its aging technology and focused on funding its two core functions: permitting wells and inspecting them.
Is a policy analyst for TCAP, a coalition of cities and other political subdivisions that purchase electricity in the deregulated market for their own governmental use. Because high energy costs can impact municipal budgets and the ability to fund essential services, TCAP, as part of its mission, actively promotes affordable energy policies. High energy prices also place a burden on local businesses and home consumers.