Holiday Office Closure

In observance of the Christmas holidays, Railroad Commission of Texas offices will be closed December 23-27. The offices will re-open at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 30 for regular business. Expedited Drilling Permits will be processed within standard processing times. If assistance is needed, please email Drillingpermits-info@rrc.texas.gov.
RRC maintains a 24-hour emergency phone line to report any leaks or spills. That number is 844-773-0305

Happy Holidays!

News

Ryan Sitton's Press Room

News Items - 2019

  • Commissioner Ryan Sitton Speaks on Texas Energy Opportunities

    at Gulf Coast Industry Forum     September 24, 2019

    PASADENA — Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton gave the lunchtime keynote address at the Gulf Coast Industry Forum, which brought together cities, counties, port authorities and hundreds of energy industry professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the Gulf Coast energy industry. 

    “If you’re a kid growing up in Texas today, you’re in high school and you’re about to go to college, and you ask your Mom and Dad, ‘Where are the opportunities? It is hard not to point at energy and say, ‘We’re going to be a leader in energy for a long time’.” Sitton said. “And not just for those who work in the energy business. I’m talking about those who work in transportation. Or in technology. Or in manufacturing for whom energy is their largest single cost except for people. They get an advantage versus all of their overseas competitors because our energy is so affordable, and so reliable, That’s the opportunity in Texas,” concluded Sitton. 

    Sitton also discussed his vision of leadership and decried the divisiveness that infests much of our public discourse.

    Commissioner Sitton Speaking at forum
    Photo: Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton addresses the 2019 Gulf Coast Industry Forum

  • Commissioner Ryan Sitton Releases 2019 Energy Market Outlook

     June 05, 2019

    AUSTIN – Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton today released his 2019 Energy Market Outlook. The Outlook is an in-depth analysis of current global energy markets and predictions for the remainder of the year and into 2020. With more than 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, and as the first engineer to serve on the Commission in 50 years, Sitton has spent his career carefully studying global energy markets. 

    “Texas is shattering previous energy production records, leading the nation by far. It is more important than ever to keep an eye on activity and use sound economic fundamentals to drive decisions about where we should dedicate resources,” Sitton said. “Understanding where the market is headed helps inform what we do as regulators at the Railroad Commission, allowing us to better plan and prepare for increased permit activity, inspection and monitoring requirements and other resource demands on the Commission. This analysis makes clear that the Texas energy industry is well positioned but infrastructure investment is still needed to ensure we realize our full potential.” 

    The report examines crude oil, natural gas, and key environmental trends related to energy markets, such as emissions and flaring information. It is based on both historical data from various resources, including the International Energy Agency and U.S. Energy Information Administration, as well as extrapolated data from Sitton’s analysis. 

    Commissioner Sitton has consistently advocated for enhanced energy transportation infrastructure as key to Texas capitalizing on its energy opportunities. With the growing demand for U.S. and specifically Texas energy, as detailed in the 2019 Energy Market Outlook, more pipelines and enhanced ports are imperative to ensure our ability to safely and efficiently transport Texas energy to the world. 

    The 2019 Energy Market Outlook is available for download here. 

    (Note: Commissioner Sitton’s political disclaimer is included on this report because campaign dollars will be used to print hard copies for interested Texans. The RRC does not have a budget to print reports such as this and campaign dollars can be used for official purposes under Texas campaign finance laws.) 

  • Commissioner Sitton Addresses Bay Area Economic Partnership

     April 25, 2019

    HOUSTON – Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton spoke to the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Wednesday afternoon. Commissioner Sitton stressed the Bay Area’s critical and central role in Texas’ energy dominance. Commissioner Sitton also spoke on his goal of keeping energy reliable, affordable and as clean as possible. 

    “Texas energy innovation fuels freedom,” Commissioner Sitton said. “More reliable energy keeps our economy going. More affordable energy helps everyone, and it helps those whose family and business budgets are tightest the most. Clean energy is the responsible path forward and helps keep our environment sustainable for future generations.” 

    Commissioner Sitton spoke about his personal story growing up the son of two teachers in Irving, putting himself through college at Texas A&M, becoming an engineer and founding a successful business before entering public service. 

    Ryan Sitton is an inventor, successful entrepreneur and energy expert. He and his wife Jennifer founded PinnacleART in 2006, which employs more than 900 Texans today and is a recognized global leader in reliability and safety. He was elected to the Railroad Commission in 2014. 

    The Texas Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas development in the Lone Star State.
    Commissioner Ryan Sitton

  • Commissioner Ryan Sitton Addresses EarthX 2019

     April 25, 2019

    DALLAS– Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton has a double-header speaking role at EarthX 2019. He will address the opening ceremony and deliver remarks on LNG exports. Both appearances occur on Friday. 

    What:                         Commissioner Ryan Sitton addresses EarthX Opening Ceremony     

    When:                         Friday, April 26, 2019, 11 to 11:30 AM

    Where:                       Court of Honor, Fair Park

     

    What:                         Commissioner Ryan Sitton speaks on LNG exports                    

    When:                         Friday, April 26, 2019, 1:30 to 1:45 PM

    Where:                       Automotive Building, Fair Park

     
    Commissioner Sitton will be available to speak with media on site. For interested media, please reach out to Public Affairs Director Bryan Preston, 410-967-3207.

  • Railroad Commission of Texas Presents 2019 Reclamation Award

    Sabine Mining Co. Creates Wildlife Habitat from Mined Acreage     February 26, 2019

    AUSTIN – Texas Railroad Commissioners today awarded the Sabine Mining Co. the Commission’s 2019 Reclamation Award. The operator was recognized for restoring more than 3,400 contiguous acres of Harrison County, mined land into native grass habitat for bobwhite quail, grassland songbirds, Monarch butterflies, pollinating insects and grazing livestock. 

    The restored acreage south of Hallsville is part of the South Hallsville No. 1 Mine, a lignite surface mine which has been in continuous operation since 1984. Since its beginning, reclamation has been ongoing at the RRC-permitted mine that encompasses 44,401 acres. The operator replanted native grasses to provide habitat for a diversity of species, increased wildlife populations and higher nutrition for grazing livestock. 

    “The Sabine Mining Co. believed that reclamation can and should be synonymous with restoration—restoration of habitat, restoration of ecosystems and is doing just that by ‘Going Native’ through the use of native grasses,” the company states in its application for the award. 

    The, RRC’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Division accepts nominees from the Texas coal industry for the Commission’s Reclamation Award Program. The program recognizes outstanding and innovative reclamation achievements at Texas coal mines and complements the Interstate Mining Compact Commission's Annual Reclamation Awards Program. A technical and enforcement team from the SMRD staff then selects a nominee based on IMCC criteria. 

    Along with fish and wildlife habitat, the company’s reclaimed mined acreage provides forestry, pastureland, streams and developed ponds. The mined land is owned by thousands of private landowners who have leased the property for surface mining. The reclaimed acreage also establishes woody corridors to provide wildlife access to water and protective cover. These areas and planted stands of trees, also known as mottes, were developed with guidance from professional biologists and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff. 

    The Sabine Mining Co., whose parent company is North American Coal Corp., operates the South Hallsville No. 1 Mine and the adjacent Rusk Mine. These two mines have 284 full-time employees and more than 40 contractors, who assist with maintenance, reclamation and other projects.The mines produce approximately 4 million tons of lignite annually, which generates electricity in Texas at the H.W. Pirkey Power Plant. This plant is owned and operated by the Southwestern Electric Power Co. – a division of American Electric Power.

    RRC Commissioners with Sabine Mining Co.
    (From L-R) RRC Commissioner Wayne Christian, RRC Chairman Christi Craddick,  Sabine Mining Co. Reps:
    Josh McAfee; Steve Billingslea, Angela Martin, RRC Surface Mining & Reclamation Interim Director Alex Schoch
    & Sabine Mining Co. President Andy Hawbaker, RRC Commissioner Ryan Sitton.

    image of reclaimed mine land

  • Railroad Commission Launches Texas’ First Online Searchable Database of Oil & Gas Inspection and Enforcement Data

    RRC Online Inspection Lookup Available 24/7     January 23, 2019

    AUSTIN – Today, the Railroad Commission of Texas launched its RRC Online Inspection Lookup (OIL) tool for searching statewide oil and gas inspection and enforcement information, including notices of violation and intentions to sever leases. For the first time in RRC history, RRC OIL allows anyone, anywhere at any time to search online records of oil and gas well inspections and violations.

    Chairman Christi Craddick said, ““RRC Online Inspection Lookup continues our efforts to use improved technology to deliver more accessible information to the public and industry on the work of the commission.”

    Commissioner Ryan Sitton said, “Government transparency keeps citizens informed and engaged. The Railroad Commission has made great strides on transparency under our watch, and I am pleased that through initiatives like RRC Oil we continue to lead the way. I will continue to push for even more transparency and accessibility at the RRC.”

    Commissioner Wayne Christian said, “This tool will be helpful to our agency, the industry and most importantly, the general public in ensuring individuals have easy, transparent access to data regarding the regulation of our natural resources. I applaud our hardworking staff and the commitment of funding from the Texas Legislature in making this long-desired tool a reality.”

    Users may access RRC OIL 24/7 and can customize inspection and violation searches by a variety of criteria, including;  

    • Operator name;
    • Lease name or number;
    • API number;
    • County;
    • RRC District Oil and Gas District number;
    • Inspection date range, and;
    • Rule.

    RRC OIL accesses inspection and enforcement data entered into the RRC’s Inspection, Compliance, Enforcement Electronic Tracking System, which was implemented in August 2015. Users may also download data set files either statewide or by RRC district office.

    The RRC OIL tool is part of the agency’s on-going information technology modernization program using technology for greater efficiency in RRC operations and making data collected and maintained by the agency more accessible to the public.

    RRC OIL can be found on our website here

     

  • Commissioner Ryan Sitton Addresses Leaders in the Making at “Impact Pasadena”

     January 11, 2019

    PASADENA – Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton spoke to aspiring leaders in government and business today at a Chamber of Commerce forum in Pasadena. Commissioner Sitton gave his ideas on leadership in government, community and business. 

    “This year I’m making it my mission to speak out on what leadership is and what it means,” Commissioner Sitton said. “Our state and our nation need quality leaders now more than ever. It’s vital that we encourage young Texans to step up and learn to lead. Impact Pasadena is all about linking today’s proven leaders with potential leaders and providing them opportunities to connect for mentoring and training. I’m very pleased and honored to speak here today.” 

    Before entering public service in 2014, Commissioner Sitton was a successful inventor and entrepreneur. He and his wife Jennifer founded PinnacleART, which designs, implements and maintains comprehensive asset and reliability programs for process facilities in the oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, wastewater, and electric power industries. Today PinnacleART is a profitable company employing more than 800 staff. It is headquartered in Pasadena. 

    Impact Pasadena is a Pasadena Chamber of Commerce project aimed at developing and improving participants’ leadership skills. Impact Pasadena kicked off this week and will host training and other events throughout 2019.

    Sitton addressing leaders

  • Commissioner Ryan Sitton Welcomes New Staff Member

     January 09, 2019

    AUSTIN - Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton today announced the addition of Bryan Preston to his Austin staff. Preston serves as director of public affairs.

    “I’m pleased to welcome Bryan to our great team at the Railroad Commission,” Sitton said. “He brings deep experience and knowledge of media, blogs, social media and state government with him. He has spent his career fighting for freedom, conservative principles and for Texas. Bryan is going to make an immediate impact in our ability to serve the state and will be a key member of our team.”

    Preston joins the Railroad Commission from the Texas General Land Office, where he served as communications director. His career includes service as communications director of the Republican Party of Texas, producer of the Laura Ingraham Show, and producer for NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. He is also a military veteran, having served on active duty in the United States Air Force.

    “Communicating with the public and media about the important work we are doing on behalf of Texans and making sure they have the information they need are some of the most important things I do at the commission. Bryan is going to help us become more proactive in providing meaningful information to the public regarding the exciting things happening in energy production in our great state,” concluded Sitton.




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