[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 115 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    RECOGNIZING THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS' 130TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2021

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the Railroad Commission of Texas on its 130th anniversary.
  Established in 1891 by the Texas Constitution, the Railroad 
Commission of Texas (RRC) was created for the purpose preventing 
discrimination in railroad charges and establishing reasonable tariffs. 
As the first regulatory agency created in the State of Texas, their 
primary responsibility included covering rates and operations of 
railroads, terminals, wharves and express companies.
  In 1917, the Texas Legislature expanded the Commission's authority 
after declaring pipelines to be common carriers, thereby providing the 
agency the ability to administer conservation laws related to oil and 
gas. In March 1919, their jurisdiction would once again increase to 
include pipeline safety as well as the safety of alternative fuels, 
natural gas utilities, and the surface mining of coal and uranium.
  In the decades which would follow, the RRC's authority evolved to 
meet the needs of our rapidly growing state. While its rail functions 
have since been transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation, 
the Commission's oversight has extended to include not only oil and gas 
exploration and production, but also pipeline transporters, the natural 
gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the 
LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations.
  In recent years, the Commission has modernized technology for 
increased efficiency and has expanded transparency by providing the 
public with needed tools to access agency information. Further, the 
dedicated efforts of its professionals have contributed to the 
streamlining of operations while promoting increased innovation and 
energy independence.
  For over 130 years the Railroad Commission of Texas has maintained a 
unified and focused mission of protecting the public, environment, and 
economy of Texas. As the oil and gas industry continues to be an 
essential component of Texas' success story, I congratulate the 
Railroad Commission of Texas and its employees on this milestone 
anniversary and wish them continued success as they continue to protect 
the state's natural resources, environment, and public safety.

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