The Texas Railroad Commission was formed in the 1890’s to protect farmers from predatory pricing by the railroads. The Texas Legislature later gave the Commission additional regulatory responsibilities, primarily over trucking and oil and gas exploration and production. Over the years, the Commission’s authority over railroads and trucking was reduced, and finally eliminated altogether in 2005.
The Texas Railroad Commission is currently responsible for:
- Regulating oil and gas exploration and production;
- Regulating pipeline (both natural gas and hazardous liquid) safety;
- Regulating certain coal and uranium surface mining operations;
- Setting rates for pipelines and for natural gas utilities;
- Regulating natural gas utility safety measures; and
- Creating and applying programs designed to promote the use of and market for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) or Propane gas.
