Texas Oil Wells Are Pumping Out More Methane Than Regulators Admit

Texas has long been hailed by oil companies as proof that America’s fossil fuel industry can be both profitable and “clean.” But new reporting paints a very different picture. According to Inside Climate News and ProPublica, state regulators have approved nearly every request from drillers to burn or vent natural gas into the atmosphere—resulting in massive methane Pollution that rivals the output of dozens of power plants.

Between 2021 and 2024, oil and gas companies filed more than 12,000 applications to release gas through flaring or venting. The state’s Railroad Commission rejected only 53. That rubber-stamp system allowed companies to dump over 195 billion cubic feet of natural gas into the air each year, enough to power more than 3 million homes. Instead of being used, much of that gas was burned off, or worse, vented directly as methane—a greenhouse gas more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

For small towns near drilling sites, the reality is even more stark. Residents describe skies lit up by flames, air filled with the stench of gas, and health worries from toxic hydrogen sulfide exposure. A pipeline rupture near Catarina in 2024 blasted 23 million cubic feet of gas into the air in a single day. Locals compared the fire to “the Fire of Mordor,” a reminder that behind the numbers are real communities living with constant noise, Pollution, and danger.

Industry groups continue to claim progress in reducing emissions, often citing cherry-picked data. But satellite studies and independent analysis show the opposite: methane emissions in the Permian Basin remain among the highest in the world. Regulators insist they are tightening oversight, yet companies even receive backdated permits to legitimize flares that were already burning.

This unchecked waste isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s also a squandered resource. Capturing gas could power homes, generate tax revenue, and Support a shift away from dirty fuels. Instead, profits take precedence over people and the planet.

The lesson is clear: we cannot rely on fossil fuel companies to police themselves. Choosing renewable energy, eating more plant-based meals, and supporting environmental protections are ways we can all help push toward a future where our air, health, and climate matter more than short-term oil profits.

Sign These Petitions! 

Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!

• Petition: U.S. Cities Must Cut Car Use Like Europe to Tackle Climate Change
• Petition: Denmark Zoo Feeding Unwanted Pets to Lions Must Be Shut Down
• Petition: Free Asha the Endangered Wolf and Her Pups From Captivity

Related Content:

•  Texas Measles Outbreak Finally Ends Amid Falling Vaccination Rates
•  Texas Child Injured by Kangaroo Sparks Calls to End Private Exotic Animal Ownership
•  Texas Floods Show How Climate Change Is Supercharging Rainfall
•  Texas Pushes for Historic Investment to Address Water Crisis

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Stand against fast fashion Pollution by supporting circular brands like Tiny Rescue, which create cause-based collections using recycled, zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill.
• Shop Sustainably for Your Home: Visit SustaiNOBLE.org, an eco-friendly and ethically sourced home decor store that will empower your home with luxurious fair-trade, and sustainable products made by global artisans. 
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!