American Oil and Gas Reporter - October 2020 - 29

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opment Chairman Brian Birdwell, RGranbury, and House Energy Resources
Chairman Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, also
addressed TIPRO's September meeting,
and jointly discussed expectations for the
interim and upcoming legislative session.
Both acknowledged the difficulties of
conducting business at the Capitol while
the state worked to overcome the COVID19 pandemic. The two legislators also
agreed the state's Economic Stabilization
Fund, known commonly as the Rainy
Day Fund, was likely to be tapped in the
upcoming legislative cycle to fund the
state budget, though they also agreed the
reserve must be used only with the utmost
discretion and caution.
Noting that many anticipate a particularly challenging session, Birdwell and
Paddie went on to encourage TIPRO to
approach many issues such as eminent
domain with an open mind to help the
legislature successfully pass bills in 2021.
RRC Candidates
Additionally, TIPRO's 2020 conference
featured a lively forum with both the Republican and Democratic nominees running for Texas Railroad Commissioner.
Democratic candidate Chrysta Castañeda
spoke to TIPRO about flaring and the
waste of natural gas in the Lone Star

State, vowing to address the issue if she
secures the RRC's open seat in November's election. Castañeda also adamantly
expressed opposition to any type of hydraulic fracturing ban, and reinforced her
intention to, if elected, properly exercise
a commissioner's authority to enforce
current environmental protections, regulations and laws.
Meanwhile, Jim Wright, the Republican
candidate, told TIPRO if he won the RRC
race, he would work with the public in a
fair, transparent and proactive manner to
oversee the Texas oil and gas industry.
He expressed a hope to ensure consistent
interpretation of state rules to allow more
certainty for businesses' operational planning, and said he would like to build on
the successes of the agency's past if given
the opportunity to become a commissioner.
Wright also used the platform to address
recent reports over investigations of his
business, calling accusations "false" and
a "smear campaign" promoted by his political opponent.
Other presenters at the TIPRO conference included experts Anas Alhajji,
Robert Bryce and James Henson, who
offered important economic, political and
market outlooks for the energy sector.
Halliburton's Senior Vice President of
Global Business Development and Mar-

keting Shannon Slocum also offered insights about the impact of the 2020 downturn on the oil field service sector, and
highlighted opportunities and trends for
more innovation and advancement in
drilling activities in Texas' oil fields.
"In this historic chapter for our industry, TIPRO remains steadfastly committed to advocating for domestic development and production of oil and gas,"
Longanecker affirmed. "We are pleased
to continue to offer programs and events
that focus on policy, economic and operational issues for the Texas oil and gas
industry. For those not currently active
with TIPRO, we encourage engagement
to join our cause, which will ensure a
regulatory and business climate that supports a thriving oil and gas industry." ❒

Coming In November
A look at the public policy issues
facing America's independent oil and
natural gas producers as conveyed
through the associations that represent
them. Learn more in the next issue of
The American Oil & Gas Reporter.

OCTOBER 2020 29
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American Oil and Gas Reporter - October 2020

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