| Summary/Abstract |
Flaring (i.e., burning natural gas extracted at an oil or gas well) is an economically wasteful and environmental harmful industrial practice. Although initially banned in Texas, Texas Statewide Rule 32 currently allows oil wells to obtain a permit to legally flare gas. Through a thick description based on archival research, this paper explains: (1) how Texas flaring regulations emerged and weakened over time, (2) why Texas flaring regulations weakened, and (3) the implications of formal policy changes. This paper argues historical political-legal developments created new opportunities for companies to legitimately flare extracted natural gas. As new shale oil and gas development occurs in previously unreachable areas, incentives for immediate profits often outweigh the benefits of investing in the infrastructure and technology necessary to use extracted natural gas for productive purposes.
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