Aug 14 (Reuters) - Texas has added Britain's NatWest ( NWG )

to a list of firms that "boycott" energy companies,

potentially restricting the bank's business with public

agencies, the comptroller said on Wednesday.

NatWest ( NWG ) was added to the list because of limits it has added

on energy financing, a spokesperson for Texas Comptroller Glenn

Hegar said via email.

The spokesperson cited a NatWest ( NWG ) policy stating that after

the end of 2025 it will "not renew, refinance or extend existing

reserve based lending specifically for the purpose of financing

oil and gas exploration, extraction and production."

Hegar's office did not immediately comment on how much

business, if any, could be affected by the placement of NatWest ( NWG )

on the list.

A representative for NatWest ( NWG ), formerly known as Royal Bank

of Scotland, declined to comment.

Under a new Texas law, Hegar's office is responsible for

determining which firms or funds effectively discriminate

against energy companies, a major part of the Texas economy,

even if they remain invested in the energy sector. Listed

companies face limits on business they can do with state

entities such as pension funds.

The process is part of a broader push by Republican

politicians against investors' concerns for environmental,

social or governance (ESG) considerations.

Many of these efforts have failed to bring about big

changes and new restrictions are not always tight. For instance,

the new Texas law contains provisions for officials to keep

contracts in place if financially prudent.