According to the www, The Texas Railroad Commission, which at one point controlled and regualted railroads, but now is in charge of the oil an gas industry, is asking for $750,000 to process permits and reduce bureaucratic delays. Commission spokesman Ramona Nye, says they have not seen this kind of drilling permits since 1985, the officials expect to issue 29,000 permits this year, almost 50 percent more from 2007.Usually it would take aound 40 days to be given a drilling permit, but since 2007 that time has been decreased to 14 to 21 days. These long delays are costing major dollars says Ben Shepperd, the executive vice president of the Permian Basin Pretroleum Association. This drilling permits will allow advocates of the oil industry to explore and try to pump out as much oil as they can from the ground. Dewhurst says the delays are due to a shortage in personnel, the other thing they need to know is how much they need in order to do something. Elected members of the commission were expected to consider the proposal on Sept. 9. We should all look into this article, because it affects our pockets when we pay for gas at the pump. Look more into it here. http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/09/20/0920oil.html