The Texas Railroad Commission has ended the right to ask questions at open sessions.

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Every month in Austin, the three elected officials who oversee Texas ‘ oil and gas industry convene for an open meeting to discuss issues like network transgressions and upgrades.

At the conclusion of each meet, members of the public may register to speak for up to three days. People frequently travel hundreds of miles to South Texas, the Permian Basin, and the Gulf Coast to speak with the Texas’s oil and gas regulators instantly. During these sessions, the percentage does not take open comments over the phone.

A fresh public involvement plan was approved by the commissioners last week by a 2-1 vote. The agenda item for regular meetings will be eliminated in accordance with the new policy. Commissioners may also obtain a public comment item on the agenda. No guaranteed public opinion will be provided if no director requests it.

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Other changes are included in the new policy, such as more frequent “listening sessions” where residents can discuss issues with percentage staff. The directors are not present at these sessions, though.

Before Commissioner Wayne Christian’s Tuesday introduction, the new plan was not made available to the public. The other two commissioners appeared to have not read it in advance because they quickly pag through a print while seated on the floor. Before a ballot, the coverage was not recorded.

Commissioner Christi Craddick voted against the novel plan, stating that she believed that people should be given the opportunity to speak in public meetings. Commission Christian and Jim Wright both voted in favor of the activity.

Since 2021, Virginia Palacios, the executive director of the volunteer watchdog Commission Shift, has consulted with the public at nearly every available meeting. Pallacios registered to post on the proposed scheme, but they did not call her. She addressed the commissioners during the public comment period following the vote.

Palacios claimed that you” simply approved an agenda item on public involvement without allowing people contribution.”

Craddick remarked to her that she could not comment on things that had already been posted and voted on. You are not permitted to discuss postings, she said.

Palacios responded,” I wanted to point out the irony.”

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Christian told Inside Environment News,” The new plan expands opportunities for people participation by holding listening classes at least once per month. Instead of being subjected to the legal and administrative restrictions of a proper open meeting, these sessions offer Texans a more substantial forum to ask questions, raise concerns, and speak directly with agency staff who can help them get answers or raise issues when necessary.

The whole purpose of this plan is to make the RRC more visible to the people we serve, he said, so I’m not sure why Texans ‘ ability to interact with our company may be framed severely.

According to Bryce Dubee, a spokesperson for the Railroad Commission,” This updated plan outlines several methods and procedures for members of the public who want to share comments with the RRC.” It also emphasizes the increased awareness and mobility provided by the RRC’s Office of Public Engagement.

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The Railroad Commission is a subject of public education and training at the Office of Public Engagement.

A Wright employee declined to comment. The Craddick’s company did not respond to a request for comment.

calling for more clarity have been ongoing for some time.

People of Texas and advocacy organizations have long demanded changes to the Railroad Commission’s open wedding practices. Some claim that the company’s brand is the source of the issue. The railway ‘ commission was established in 1891. It has for centuries governed the nation’s largest oil and gas industry, which no longer regulates railroads.

A Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Review that evaluated state agencies came up with the recommendation to change the Railroad Commission’s title to “eliminate dilemma” and “increase transparency” in 2016-17.

The Sunset Advisory Commission wrote that clarity demands that the company’s name reflect its true mission.

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The name shift was not included in the legislation passed following the Sunset review by the state government.

When Christian made the legislation shift on Tuesday, he appeared determined to address the problem.

” Million of Texans in this state elect us,” he said. When they go to the elections and are not informed of what the heck they are voting on. I believe that’s a significant deed to the citizens of this state.

However, his plan focused on introducing smartphone and in-person comment options during listening classes. The Directors are not present at these meetings, but the Office of Public Engagement organizes them. The new legislation may increase the frequency of listening lessons.

Christian did not explain that commissioners may request an agenda item for people comment prior to the start of a meeting, in contrast to the current policy, which requires a public comment agenda item instantly at all meetings.

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Craddick responded,” I have a problem.” It states that our standard posting for open meetings is being removed.

She continued,” Some people have abused the situation.” However, I do think some people want to speak with elected officials and commission.

Christian responded that the directors ‘ choice would be the one to provide public opinion.

Palacios wrote in a blog post that the listening meetings should not be used in place of the public’s only channels of communication,” with the elected commission” at the same time and effectively.

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Aug 24, 2026Hill Country Post

The Texas Railroad Commission has ended the right to ask questions at open sessions.

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