June 22, 2016 6:34 AM

Texas Energy Report: Craddick directs RRC staff to review, reduce regulatory burdens

Asks for report back on Aug. 9, says initiative will aid ailing oil, gas industry

Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick introduced a streamlining initiative Tuesday to relieve the financially troubled oil and gas industry of unnecessary regulatory red tape and to perhaps save state money.

During the commission’s open meeting, Craddick directed staff to take a look at rules, reporting requirements and other oil and gas regulatory requirements and find ways to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burdens. She instructed Executive Director Kim Corley to report back in time for commissioners to launch the effort at its Aug. 9 open meeting.

Craddick and the commission declined to share (beyond a handful of industry advocates) an unofficial, starter list of streamlining candidates that drew brief discussion at the publicly broadcast meeting.

Texas Energy Report, however, learned that the unofficial document is titled “Railroad Commission of Texas Oilfield Relief Initiative.” One listed item would review regulations and reporting requirements of marginal stripper wells, a priority for smaller oil and gas concerns.

The full story can be found in Texas Energy Report.

By Polly Ross Hughes