1 month ago
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Incumbent Christi Craddick is running for re-election as the chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, while challengers argue the agency isn’t doing enough to regulate the oil and gas industry.
Alejandra Martinez reports for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Christi Craddick highlights her achievements in streamlining oil and gas permitting, opposing federal regulations and supporting industry growth.
- Opponents criticize Craddick’s oversight, citing weak environmental protections and a lack of transparency in public meetings.
- Key issues include plugging orphan wells, pipeline safety and the agency's overall role in safeguarding groundwater.
Key quote:
“We need to protect our water, and we need to do whatever is possible to make sure that we are not threatening any of our groundwater and our drinking water across the state.”
— Katherine Culbert, Democratic candidate for Texas Railroad Commission.
Why this matters:
Texas is the largest oil-producing state in the U.S., and the Texas Railroad Commission’s decisions directly impact environmental safety, water quality and the state’s role in climate change mitigation.
Related: Texas debates over new oil and gas waste rule heat up
