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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud supporters of energy independence are |
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celebrating Texas Energy Day at the State Capitol on March 24, 2021; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is the number one state in the U.S. for oil and |
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natural gas production, refining capacity, and pipeline miles; |
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moreover, the state has played an important part in helping our |
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nation become the world's leader in oil and gas production, which |
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has created an unprecedented level of American energy security; the |
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oil and gas industry also contributes greatly to the economic |
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well-being of the state by providing high-paying jobs, and in 2020 |
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it generated nearly $14 billion in taxes and royalties that helped |
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fund such essential infrastructure as schools, roads, and emergency |
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services; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2020, Texas school districts received more than |
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$2 billion in property taxes from mineral properties producing oil |
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and natural gas, pipelines, and gas utilities, and Texas counties |
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received $688.4 million; and |
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WHEREAS, The state's preeminent role in energy production has |
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been furthered through the use of fracking and other innovative |
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processes; many Texas oil and natural gas companies are leading the |
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way in developing new technologies designed to reduce water use, |
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expand water reuse, and increase the use of naturally occurring |
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salt water in their operations; and |
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WHEREAS, Because of advances in technology, carbon dioxide |
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emissions in the United States are at the lowest levels in nearly |
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three decades, and today, natural gas production has the smallest |
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carbon footprint compared to all other traditional fuel sources; |
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according to the Railroad Commission of Texas, the percentage of |
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natural gas flared out of all the natural gas produced in Texas |
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decreased by 67 percent between June 2019 and August 2020, with less |
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than one percent of the natural gas produced in Texas flared or |
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vented; further, even though oil and natural gas production have |
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skyrocketed, methane emissions from the industry are down 23 |
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percent since 1990; and |
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WHEREAS, Oil and natural gas are used to make 96 percent of |
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products and materials that we use every day, including plastics, |
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medicines, computers, and more, and the Lone Star State is a vital |
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contributor to the nation's global energy leadership; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 24, 2021, as Texas Energy Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to all those participating in the event |
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sincere best wishes for the future. |