Texas Republicans want to shield oil and gas from federal climate regulations. Their bill would have little impact, experts say.

Texas lawmakers are close to approving a bill that would make Texas an oil and gas “sanctuary state,” an effort to block enforcement of some federal environmental regulations. (Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune)

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Texas could soon have a new law that aims to make the state a sort of safe haven for the oil and gas industry by shielding it from federal climate and environmental regulation. But experts say the measure — which would do little to change environmental enforcement in Texas — would be more symbolic than anything.