Texas Railroad Commission Needs an Overhaul; Texas’ Oversight of the Oil and Gas Industry Falls Behind Other States
Aug. 18, 2016
MEDIA ADVISORY
Texas Railroad Commission Needs an Overhaul; Texas’ Oversight of the Oil and Gas Industry Falls Behind Other States
Concerned Texans to Testify and Share Stories About How The Railroad Commission Let Them Down
WHAT: Citizens are traveling from around Texas to attend a public hearing and share their stories about how the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which is in charge of regulating Texas’ oil and gas industry, has let them down. Carol Birch, legislative counsel for Public Citizen’s Texas office, will present research showing that other oil and gas producing states outshine Texas when it comes to regulating the industry.
The hearing is being held by the Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews the policies and programs of more than 150 government agencies to identify and eliminate waste, duplication and inefficiency. The commission published a staff report on the RRC in April 2016 and is now seeking public feedback.
In large part, Public Citizen supports the recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission. However, because the RRC has failed in many important ways to protect the public and the environment, Public Citizen will propose additional recommendations to create more effective, efficient and democratic management of the RRC. Read Public Citizen’s new study comparing the best regulatory practices of eight oil and gas states to Texas’ practices.
WHEN: 9 a.m. CDT Monday, Aug. 22
WHERE: House Appropriations Committee Room (Room E1.030), 1400 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas
WHO: Carol Birch, legislative counsel for Public Citizen’s Texas office
Concerned Texans from around the state
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