Texans will again be able to stand up at the Railroad Commission's monthly meetings and speak on any oil and gas matter, not just items on the agenda, starting in December.
The commission, which regulates the state's oil and gas production, voted in late August to suspend a policy that had allowed open-ended public testimony for about two decades, The Texas Tribune reported. Commissioners had planned to replace it with other ways to hear from the public, including listening sessions and outreach events that elected commissioners do not have to attend.
State Rep. Drew Darby, a San Angelo Republican who chairs the House Committee on Energy Resources, announced the reversal in a news release Tuesday. He said his office heard from many constituents worried about losing the standalone comment period.
"As chair of the House Committee on Energy Resources, my job is not to cheerlead the industry or regulators, but to be a voice for my constituents and all Texans," Darby said in the release, as quoted by the Tribune.
What changes in December
Commissioner Wayne Christian confirmed the plan in a letter to Darby. The agency will rewrite its public participation policy at its December meeting to bring back the original process, he wrote, so that "every regular open meeting will include a standing agenda item allowing for general public input on matters within the Commission's jurisdiction that have not been specifically posted for consideration at that meeting."
