Texas Oil & Gas Commissioner Slams Biden Administration’s Job-Killing Oil & Gas Rules
December 05, 2023AUSTIN – Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian issued the following statement regarding new onerous methane rules proposed by the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“While costs for hard-working Americans are up nearly $11,000 this year everywhere from the gas pump to the grocery store, President Biden’s solution to inflation is to increase regulations that will make American oil and gas more expensive,” said Commissioner Christian. “Petroleum helps make more than 96% of everyday consumer items like plastics, food, medicine, and more. These new rules on U.S. oil and natural gas producers will certainly drive those prices up.”
“These new rules are likely to have a disproportionate impact on smaller producers, which make up more than 83% of U.S. production. At a time when producers are facing financial drought from Wall Street and political headwinds from Washington Democrats, that last thing the industry needs is more bureaucratic red tape stifling business,” Christian continued. “It’s hypocritical to kill clean fossil fuel jobs here in America claiming it ensures a clean environment, and then beg our foreign adversaries to produce more using much less environment-friendly methods. Americans are struggling with high prices and the answer to that strife is simple—more U.S. oil and gas production.”
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. is a global leader in reducing emissions, not through regulation – but technological innovation. In fact, methane emissions in the U.S. are down about 66% and down 76% in Texas. Additionally, EPA regulated emissions are down 78% in the last 50 years, while the economy boomed by 286%, population increased by 61%, and energy use is up by 37%.
A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here: https://rrc.texas.gov/About-Us/Commissioners/Wayne-Christian/.
About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.