Bob Ryan and Texas Congressional Staffer
On March 22, 2017, Kevin Crowley, President & CEO, Forged Products and Bob Ryan, Deputy General Counsel, Stallion Oilfield Services led PESA’s delegation to the first-ever Texas Energy Day. About 500 participants from across the oil and natural gas industry descended on Austin to highlight to legislators, regulators and other key stakeholders, industry’s economic and employment contributions to the State. PESA joined with the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) and 23 other associations to sponsor the event.
In the morning, participants divided into small teams and visited all 181 members of the Texas State Legislature. The participants discussed industry’s contributions to the economy ($9.4B in state and local taxes and state revenue in 2016), the nation’s energy security and the State’s workforce. In the afternoon, participants heard from key state officials including:
- Chairman Drew Darby (R – San Angelo) – House Energy Resources
- Railroad Commission (RRC) Chairwoman Christi Craddick
- Attorney General Ken Paxton
- Senator Kelly Hancock (R – North Richland Hills)
- Representative Larry Gonzales (R–Round Rock)
- Water Development Board Member Kathleen Jackson
The top industry issue for this legislative session is the reauthorization and proper funding of the Railroad Commission (RRC). Under Texas’s sunset review process, the RRC must be reauthorized every 12 years. Chairman Darby expects the House to move forward with reauthorization legislation next week.
Operators with major presence at Texas Energy Day included Chevron, BP, Apache, Hess, ConocoPhillips, Anadarko, Shell and Pioneer. PESA Member Companies included Forged Products, Halliburton, and Stallion Oilfield Services.
The event was a tremendous success as representatives from across the oil and natural gas industry came together with a unified voice to tell lawmakers how vital the industry is to Texas’ economy, environment and future. Plans are already underway for the next Texas Energy Day to be held March 2019 and we hope all PESA member companies will participate.
