Railroad Commission of Texas |
| Profile |
| The Railroad Commission, the oldest regulatory agency in the state, oversees the Texas oil and gas industry, gas utilities, pipeline and rail safety, safety in the liquefied petroleum gas industry and the surface mining of coal and uranium. The commission was established in 1891 to regulate the rail industry, but since that time it has been given increasing responsibilities. While most of the commissions' responsibilities involve the energy industries, the public perception is still that it primarily regulates the railroads. Approximately 67 percent of the staff is dedicated to the oil and natural gas industry, 17 percent to the pipeline and natural gas utility industries, 4 percent to the LP-gas industry, 9 percent to the coal and uranium mining industry, and the remaining 3 percent to the rail industry. The main functions of the commission are to protect the environment, protect the public safety, protect the correlative rights of mineral interest owners, prevent waste of natural resources and assure fair and equitable utility rates in those industries over which it has been granted authority. While the main office is in Austin, the commission also has 15 field locations in Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Kilgore, Abilene, San Angelo, Midland, Wichita Falls, Pampa, Garland, Floresville, Tyler, Amarillo, El Paso and Sweetwater. Public Assistance The Railroad Commission of Texas' Office of Public Information and Assistance serves as an agency ombudsman and assists with inquiries from the general public, other governmental agencies and representatives from industry or their organizations. Those seeking help through the Office of Public Information and Assistance can call toll-free (877) 228-5740 or e-mail OPIA staff at publicassist@rrc.state.tx.us. The Texas Legislature has given the Railroad Commission limited authority to regulate the oil and gas industry in Texas, so its staff cannot advise on all oil and gas matters. Areas over which the commission has no authority include lease and royalty matters (including leasing, payment of royalties and the right to receive royalties), the financing of or investment in oil and gas activities, and bankruptcy. If you have information about a particular lease or well, the central records department can provide drilling applications, completion papers, plats, production records and other information. For a small charge, you may obtain copies of any records you want. The central records phone number is (512) 463-6882. Or email the staff at ims@rrc.state.tx.us. The State Comptroller of Public Accounts oversees the payment of oil production taxes. Producers, first purchasers and subsequent purchasers all must file certain reports with the comptroller. These reports outline in detail the amount of oil and gas produced monthly, counties and leases where the oil was produced, the price received or paid for the oil and other information. If you think this information would be helpful you should contact: State Comptroller L.B.J. State Office Building 111 E. 17th Street Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 463-4000 or (800) 252-1384. |
| Contacts |
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PO Box 12967 Austin, TX 78711-2967 General Information: 512-463-7288 www.rrc.state.tx.us |
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Railroad Commission - Corpus Christi Office 10320 IH 37 Corpus Christi, TX 78460 |
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Chairman Victor G. Carrillo PO Box 12967 Austin, TX 78711-2967 Work: 512-463-7131 Fax: 512-463-7161 Email: commissioner.carrillo@rrc.state.tx.us |
| Chairman Carillo's staff: Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel: Justin Furnace justin.furnace@rrc.state.tx.us Executive Assistant: Courtney Lamza courtney.lamza@rrc.state.tx.us Executive Assistant/Scheduler: Brooke McWhirter brooke.mcwhirter@rrc.state.tx.us |
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Commissioner Michael L. Williams PO Box 12967 Austin, TX 78711-2967 Work: 512-463-7144 Fax: 512-936-1950 Email: michael.williams@rrc.state.tx.us |
| Commissioner Williams's Staff: Chief of Staff: Carol Treadway carol.treadway@rrc.state.tx.us Communications Director: Jessica Markl jessica.markl@rrc.state.tx.us Scheduling Director: Veronica Perez veronica.perez@rrc.state.tx.us |
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Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones PO Box 12967 Austin, TX 78711-2967 Work: 512-463-7140 Fax: 512-463-7161 Email: elizabeth.jones@rrc.state.tx.us |
| Commissioner Jones' Staff: Chief of Staff: Chris Hosek chris.hosek@rrc.state.tx.us Legal Counsel: Bill Black bill.black@rrc.state.tx.us Executive Assistant, Scheduling: Karla Melde karla.melde@rrc.state.tx.us Administrative Assistant: Brooke Boddy brooke.boddy@rrc.state.tx.us |
| Public Information Office: 512-463-6710 24-Hour Emergency Number: 512-463-6788 General Information: 512-463-7288 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): 800-735-2989 Alternative Fuels Research & Education: 512-463-7110 Finance and Accounting: 512-475-1591 Gas Services: 512-463-7167 General Counsel: 512-463-6848 Information Technology Services: 512-463-7251 Intergovernmental Affairs: 512-463-7074 Internal Auditor: 512-463-7276 Office of Public Assistance: 512-463-6710 or toll-free 877-228-5740 Personnel: 512-463-6981 Public Information Office: 512-463-6710 Rail Division: 512-463-7116 Library: 512-463-7160 Surface Mining & Reclamation: 512-463-6900 |
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