FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2016 

Texas Oil & Gas Association Welcomes Robust Oversight by Experts at the Railroad Commission

The following can be attributed to Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, who will testify today at a hearing of the Texas Sunset Commission.

“TXOGA supports continuation of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and welcomes robust oversight by the oil and natural gas experts at the Commission.”

Specifically, the contested case process and the scientific examiners who evaluate those cases are a critical part of oil and natural gas regulation in Texas.  As such, we believe that the Railroad Commission should continue to handle contested case hearings because these proceedings require petroleum engineering, geological, geophysical and land issue expertise that is unique to Railroad Commission examiners and staff.

The Railroad Commission’s technical permitting sections provide essential training for the geologists and engineers that are traditionally selected to fill examiner jobs.  This training and these dedicated positions provide for the best process and environmental protections possible.

TXOGA also is supportive of recommendations to track and report the number of oil and gas violations annually, auditing of samples of oil and natural gas production and transportation reports and requiring production reports to be filed electronically, among other Sunset recommendations.”

Staples’ written testimony and TXOGA’s comments submitted to the Texas Sunset Commission are available online.

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