ENERGY

Texas Mulls New Natural Gas Production Rules: After 17 years of study and four months of fiery debate, the Texas Railroad Commission this week will likely change production rules for natural gas. With one-seventh of the gross state product coming from the energy industry, even the seemingly dull topic of how much gas is allowed out of the ground could affect many Texans. The proposals, expected to be acted on at the commission’s regular hearing today, are the most contentious to come from the powerful three-member panel in years. The debate is over pro-rationing, the fair allocation of demand to the producers who bring natural gas out of the ground and to the market. Supporters say the changes will make the marketplace fairer, simplify the rules and protect the ability of producers to choose when to sell. Critics say they are just a ploy to drive up prices and will ultimately drive customers away from Texas natural gas to cheaper sources in other states and Canada. Natural gas prices fell to their lowest level in more than a decade this winter.