Holiday Office Closure

In observance of the Christmas holidays, Railroad Commission of Texas offices will be closed December 23-27. The offices will re-open at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 30 for regular business. Expedited Drilling Permits will be processed within standard processing times. If assistance is needed, please email Drillingpermits-info@rrc.texas.gov.
RRC maintains a 24-hour emergency phone line to report any leaks or spills. That number is 844-773-0305

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Wayne Christian Presides Over 100th Open Meeting as Railroad Commissioner

April 25, 2023

AUSTIN – Today, Commissioner Wayne Christian presided over his 100th Open Meeting of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) since assuming office in January 2017. Christian was first elected to serve as Railroad Commissioner in 2016 and was reelected in 2022. Following the public meeting, Commissioner Christian said the following:

“It has been an honor to serve nearly 30 million Texans as a steward, defender and promoter of Texas’ vital oil and gas industry that makes our 21st century modern way of life possible,” said Commissioner Christian. “Texas is the nation’s largest producer of oil and gas, and I aim to help keep it that way. American oil and gas production is the answer for affordable energy, a more robust economy, and the pathway to stronger national security.”

In 2016, Wayne Christian was elected as the 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner. During his first term, America’s oil and gas reserves doubled with the largest discovery in the Permian Basin revitalizing domestic production[1]. In 2018, under the Trump administration, the U.S. became a net exporter for the first time and helped America overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world’s largest exporter of oil[2]. And in 2022, the U.S. became the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exporter[3] with about half of those exports being shipped from Texas LNG terminals[4].

Since assuming office in 2017, Commissioner Christian has ruled on 27,905 agenda items. In that time, the RRC has been commended for its consistent and predictable regulations, quick permitting times, and environmental conservation efforts. The Commission has received numerous awards from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission. 

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2018/12/21/americas-oil-and-gas-reserves-double-with-massive-new-permian-discovery/?sh=108c21b22c91

[2] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=40973

[3] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=53159

[4] https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/2022/sep/energy.php 

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. Prior to his time at the Commission, Christian served seven sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, accumulating a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Christian is married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have three daughters, Liza, Lindsey and Lauren. You can learn more about Chairman Christian here .

About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.