Texas is a wonderful state. We have been blessed with a beautiful environment, abundant resources, and great people. One of the key roles the Texas Railroad Commission plays is to act as stewards of this great state. We need commissioners who will listen to every Texan to be sure we are doing all we can to protect our environment while we responsibly develop our resources.
There is a common theme heard around the state among those who present matters to our current Railroad Commissioners – they don’t listen.
Here’s an example: The Texas Railroad Commission is charged with the approval of proposed injection wells for oilfield waste. In this determination, the commission is charged with considering four factors, one of which is whether the well is “in the public interest.” The commission currently thinks that phrase means only “whether the disposal well will promote oil and gas development.” The highest court to hear this controversy to date, the Austin Court of Appeals, has disagreed and told the commission to consider other factors, like public safety. Despite this determination, the commission continues to ignore evidence of public safety concerns in injection well approval hearings. I will change that and take into account public safety considerations brought forward by landowners and others affected by decisions regarding injection well locations. That’s how you act as a proper steward.
In addition, the Commissioners need to lead by example and call for the Railroad Commission to assume all duties with respect to monitoring and regulating gaseous hydrocarbon emissions from well sites and facilities under their control. Their failure to accept this responsibility has led to confusion and the involvement of other agencies who are ill-equipped to handle such oversight.
