The Railroad Commission *must* transform |
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We’re pleased to unveil Commission Shift’s NEW video explaing the role and responsibilities of the state oil and gas agency and why it’s time to #ChangetheName of the agency to reflect what they actually do.
Please watch and share this video to help us spread the word about how the RRC’s decisions affect every Texan. It’s time to #ChangeTheName of the commission so that Texans understand what they’re voting for in a Railroad Commissioner, and who to contact when they have concerns. It’s an important step in bringing more accountability and transparency to oil and gas oversight in Texas |
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Thank you for being part of our effort to reform oil and gas oversight in Texas. Together we can make the Railroad Commission of Texas a stronger agency that plans for our energy future and puts people and the environment first. |
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Carbon Capture Use and Storage |
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As pressure mounts to rapidly permit CCUS infrastructure throughout the country, you can get involved now to share your concerns with state and federal agencies about the build out and the risks that come with it. This month there are several opportunities to learn more about CCUS and get involved. Public Hearing for LA Class VI Primacy
June 21- June 23
Commission Shift’s Policy Manager, Paige Powell, attended the public hearing in Baton Rouge last month covering Louisiana’s pursuit of state control over permitting and regulating Class VI carbon dioxide (CO2) injection wells.
You can read and watch Paige’s testimony here.
Much like Texas and our state oil and gas agency, Louisiana is applying to the EPA for sole permitting power over Class VI injection wells. Class VI wells are designed to store CO2 underground at high-pressures long term. Although these technologies have been tested for decades, very few projects have ever performed at the levels needed to significantly remove climate-warming CO2 from the atmosphere. CCUS is especially risky given the track record of state oil and gas agencies who are applying to permit and oversee these projects and facilities. Remember all those earthquakes you’ve heard about in the Barnett Shale, Permian Basin, and Eagle Ford Shale? Those are also caused by injection wells. If leaked, captured carbon can corrode metal, acidify water, and cause suffocation or hypoxia. |
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| “The federal government is not ready to move forward with these projects… There is no cradle-to-grave carbon accounting methodology. There are no federal rules for CO2 transport. This is not ready to move forward; and EPA, you have the authority to put on the brakes for this process.”
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Thank you, Paige, for representing us and Texas communities. 2 Days Remain: Sign on against LA Class VI CCUS Primacy You can take action to support our friends in Louisiana and send a message to the EPA. Add your name to this open letter calling on EPA officials to delay and deny Louisiana’s application for CCUS primacy. Gulf states like Texas and Louisiana need to stand together for better oil and gas oversight for the sake of our health and environment.
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New Chapter 5 Carbon Dioxide Rules in TX
Meanwhile, at the last Railroad Commission Open Meeting, the state oil and gas agency announced new amendments to state rules for carbon dioxide injection wells.
The new Chapter 5 Rules will bring state regulations up to federal standards for compliance with the Class VI Primacy process. While this will be an improvement upon current statute, Commission Shift is concerned that federal regulations for CO2 injection do not take into account Texas-specific issues, and that the RRC's new rules will not be strong enough to protect our land and communities. The Railroad Commission also provides no directions for making a comment in Spanish, and the proposed rule amendments are not available in Spanish or any other language.
You can make a comment on the rules until July 31, by clicking the link below and selecting the Chapter 5 dropdown menu. Make sure to comment on the 6/13/2023 version. |
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Read more on Commission Shift’s concerns with risky CCUS technology and potential Railroad Commission oversight. You can also watch others’ testimonies against harmful CCUS legislation here. |
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| June 5-8: Green Latinos Summit
We were so thrilled and inspired by our participation in the Green Latinos Summit in San Antonio this year! Commission Shift Organizers Socorro Ramos-Avilés and Jose Corpus gave a joint presentation on Commission Shift’s work, and Executive Director Virginia Palacios addressed the Summit as well. The summit included our comunidad of top Latino/a/e environmental, conservation, and climate justice champions, grassroots community leaders, policy advocates, elected and appointed officials, academics, philanthropists, sustainability and clean energy professionals, and many others. We look forward to building on the connections we made and attending again next year. #LuchandoPorLaLiberaciónAmbiental
Image: A trio of GreenLatinos keynote speakers: Tricia Cortez of Rio Grande International Study Center, Yvette Arrellano of Fenceline Watch, and Virginia Palacios of Commission Shift. |
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| June 13: CS Staff retreat We’ve been growing this year, and this past month, Commission Shift staff attended a post-lege staff retreat in order to reflect and build new connections with one another and across our program areas, research, and focus. It was an incredible time in Burnet, Texas and we left with renewed commitments to our mission and ready to tackle campaigns looking ahead! Thank you everyone for coming to this retreat and contributing your thoughts and talents! |
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| June 21: Air Alliance Houston Webinar - a broad lack of familiarity with this technology
- need for non-industry education programs
- little faith in industry or the state to advocate for their safety and interest
- broad trust in environmental justice groups and experts to communicate truthfully the potential and the dangers of CDR/CCUS
The Air Alliance Houston climate team finished up a research report documenting knowledgeability and familiarity with carbon capture technology in the greater Houston area generally and fence line communities specifically. Their report shows:
Check out their report and 7 things to know about CCUS |
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| What are Orphaned Wells?
Have you checked out Video One of our five part Orphaned Wells series? True Transition Founder Megan Millicken Biven and Commission Shift Executive Director Virginia Palacios explain the problems with unplugged wells, and what's at stake for Texans. | |
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Jun. 30: LA Class VI Comment Deadline Jul. 7: Independent Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Tradeshow Jul. 26: National Association of Royalty Owners Texas and New Mexico Convention Jul. 31: RRC Chapter 5 Carbon Dioxide Rules Comment Deadline Aug. 22: RRC Open Meeting |
Take Action / Save the Date Events |
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| LA Class VI CCUS Comments Jun. 30 Deadline
Sign on to tell the EPA they need to keep control of CCUS permitting and ensure high safety standards.
Image: (Rogelio V. Solis / AP) |
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| RRC Open Meeting - Austin, virtual Tuesday, Aug.22 RSVP During the June 13th RRC Open Meeting, the state oil and gas agency ruled on a waste pit company applying for a permit in a sensitive watershed area, the Mayor of Midland asked for standing in permit application proceedings for several disposal wells proposed within city limits, and Ashley Watt gave public input urging the state oil and gas agency to step up on enforcing cleanup for the leaking Chevron wells on her ranch. “If you live in an oil field, [do you] have to live in a super fund site?” She asked. Listen in on our twitter space discussing the open meeting with Commission Shift’s Virginia Palacios and AJ Prebensen.
The next open meeting is in August. RSVP today!
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| We're Hiring: Development Director Commission Shift is hiring a Development Director to build and diversify our fundraising capacities. If you're passionate about better oil and gas oversight in Texas, we're the team for you! |
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- Politico wrote a piece on the Railroad Commission’s role in allowing preventable methane emissions, and featured quotes from Executive Director Virginia Palacios: “Being able to reduce methane emissions in the Texas oil and gas sector is a critical part of the climate movement. It has to happen.”
- Speaking of oil and gas emissions, a recent Pennsylvania-based health study finds that many abandoned wells are releasing benzene, a well-established cancer causing compound, along with compounds that damage the nervous, immune and respiratory systems. These dangerous emissions raise concerns for oil and gas development areas across the country.
- One of the largest crude oil spills in Texas in the last decade almost went unreported. Commission Shift contends that current Railroad Commission preventions are not working well enough to keep spills like this from happening.
- The Houston Chronicle Editorial Board agrees with us: the Railroad Commission of Texas needs to put public health over industry profits and #ChangetheName
- New Explainer Series! Be sure to check out Commission Shift's short video series explaining orphaned wells and our recommendations for cleaning up and preventing them.
P.S. Be sure to follow Commission Shift on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn |
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Commission Shift
212 Flores Avenue
Laredo, TX 78040
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