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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In March 2019, the Railroad Commission of Texas is |
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celebrating the 100th anniversary of its role in the regulation of |
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the oil and gas industry in the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, First established by the legislature in 1891, the |
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Railroad Commission was originally given jurisdiction over the |
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rates and operations of railroads, terminals, wharves, and express |
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companies; with the rapid rise in oil and gas production, the |
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commission was further tasked with oversight of the energy industry |
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in March 1919; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the Railroad Commission's Oil and Gas |
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Division employs highly skilled petroleum engineers, professional |
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engineers, and professional geologists, as well as more than 160 |
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trained field inspectors, who conduct thousands of inspections of |
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oil and gas operators every year, working to ensure the protection |
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of the public, the environment, and the economy; the commission |
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benefits from a century of regulatory experience, in such areas as |
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the spacing of wells, the protection of groundwater, water |
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recycling guidelines, and many others; and |
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WHEREAS, Looking ahead to the future, the RRC has implemented |
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a well-plugging program that is on track to plug 3,000 old wells |
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across the state at no cost to Texas taxpayers; in addition, the |
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commission is modernizing its information technology systems, |
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automating its permitting and reporting processes, and launching |
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the Online Inspection Lookup system, which allows the public to |
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access the inspection and violation history of oil and gas wells; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Over the past century, the Railroad Commission has |
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been instrumental not only in facilitating the responsible |
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management of our state's oil and gas natural resources but also in |
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promoting energy independence in the U.S., and this milestone year |
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provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the agency's |
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outstanding efforts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the |
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Railroad Commission's role in regulating the oil and gas industry |
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in Texas and extend to all those associated with the agency sincere |
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best wishes for continued success in their important work; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Railroad Commission of Texas as an expression of |
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high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |