Decision by Railroad Commission’s Porter Sparks Candidate Surge

by Ben Shepperd, President, Permian Basin Petroleum Association

Railroad Commission Chairman David Porter has decided not to seek re-election.  His decision, days before the candidate filing deadline, set off a scramble and we now have seven Republican and three Democrat candidates.

We have developed two candidate forums to meet the candidates.  One in Austin and the second in Midland.

PBPA and other industry related associations are co-sponsoring a candidate forum in Austin for the seven Republicans in the race.  Those associations include the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Water Recycler’s Association, Texas Royalty Council, Texas Desalination Association, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and the Texas Pipeline Association.

Currently, all of the Republican candidates have agreed to attend and to participate.  The list of the candidates is as follows: Doug Jeffrey, Gary Gates, John Greytok, Lance Christian, Ron Hale, Wayne Christian, and Weston Martinez.

I will be among those asking questions of the candidates.

I apologize for the short notice but the details are as follows:  Monday,

January 25, 2016

The Austin Club, Austin, Texas

2nd Floor Ballroom and Reception area

3:30 p m – 6:30 with reception following

Secondly, PBPA and MOTRAN are sponsoring an event with the same seven candidates.  This event will be held on the evening of Wednesday, February 10th, beginning at 7:00pm, at the Midland County Horseshoe in the Education Building.

Please make plans to attend.

Lastly, House Energy Resources is planning a public meeting in Midland Wednesday, February 3^rd, beginning at 11:00 am at the Petroleum Museum.

The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony on Interim Charges #1, 2, and 7: Charge #1: Study the impacts of the declining price of oil and the continuously depressed price of natural gas on the Texas economy and the fiscal implications for the Texas budget. Consider impacts on local communities most dependent on oil and gas activity, including impacts on supporting economies such as retail, manufacturing, housing industries, etc. Recommend strategies for sustained energy development and workforce growth during times of depressed energy prices.

Charge #2: Examine whether current statutes are adequate for the successful prosecution of oilfield theft. Consider the potential economic impact on increasing penalties for oil and gas theft and make recommendations establishing an effective law enforcement response.

Charge #7: Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84^th Legislature.

In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;

1. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
2. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner;
3. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs;
4. monitor the impact of major energy legislation passed by the 84th Legislature including the implementation of regulated surface activity on oil and gas sites; and
5. review seismic research needs for the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and any response to research findings by the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Committee Members expected to attend: Darby, Drew (R) / Paddie, Chris (R) / Anchia, Rafael (D) / Canales, Terry (D) / Craddick, Tom (R) / Dale, Tony (R) / Herrero, Abel (D) / Keffer, Jim (R) / King, Phil (R) /Landgraf, Brooks (F) (R) / Meyer, Morgan (F) (R) / Riddle, Debbie (R) / Wu, Gene (D)