Texas Oil & Natural Gas Employees, Supporters and Partners Showcase Technology, Innovation and Pride Through Interactive Displays, Meeting with Legislators
March 7, 2023
AUSTIN – Hundreds of Texans, including employees, partners and supporters of the Texas energy industry, convened in Austin today for Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol, an event sponsored by more than 60 companies, associations and chambers of commerce from across the state to reinforce the importance of the oil and natural gas industry to our state and nation’s economic and energy security.
Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol participants gathered in Austin to hear from state lawmakers and speak directly to legislators and regulators, urging them to hold fast to the policies that have allowed Texas to safely and productively transform the state’s abundant natural resources into hundreds of thousands of high-paying, high-skilled jobs and critical state and local tax revenue. Attendees reminded legislators that in fiscal year 2022, the Texas oil and natural gas industry paid more than $24.7 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties – amounting to $67 million a day to state and local coffers. Further, Texas leads the nation in oil and natural gas production, pipeline miles, and refining capacity, and 443,000 Texans have a direct job in the Texas oil and natural gas industry.
“A robust oil and natural gas industry matters to all Texans, whether you live near the oil patch or not. Industry’s ongoing investment and commitment to innovation are delivering economic and energy security for all Texans, every American, and many of our allies around the world. Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol is an opportunity to showcase the many ways this industry is enhancing lives, growing economies and protecting the environment,” said Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association.
Legislators, state officials and their staffs got a look into how safe and technologically advanced industry innovations and practices are – from production, transportation and refining – at the oil and natural gas exhibits and equipment on display near the Capitol at “Energy Plaza.” Examples of innovations on display included a virtual reality tour of an offshore rig, the Mobile Energy Learning Unit (MELU) which is used in STEM education, a propane-powered school bus with emissions reducing technology, an AirMethane mobile command center, two heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks, robots from a UIL state-bound robotics team, and drone technology used in leak detection and safe operations, among others.
Asked about Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol, Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick said, “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the hundreds of Texas oil and gas employees in Austin today, many from my hometown of Midland in the heart of the Permian Basin, the world’s most prolific oilfield. We are thankful for your service and that you have gathered at the Capitol today to educate lawmakers about why the work you do in this industry is so important.”
Attendees also heard from House Energy Resources Committee Chairman Craig Goldman, who said, “Thanks to our state’s abundant natural resources and the commitment to success by the hundreds of oil and gas employees here today for Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol – and hundreds of thousands more across the state – Texas has a record surplus and economic and energy security unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years.” Chairman Goldman also sponsored House Resolution 1577 in the Texas State House recognizing Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol.
Also sponsoring Senate Resolution 243 recognizing Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol was Senate Natural Resources Committee Chairman Brian Birdwell, who said, “It is my honor to bring this resolution to the floor as we welcome so many Texas energy employees and partners to the Capitol. Texas leads the country in the production of oil and natural gas, and we aim to keep it that way for generations to come. Texas ranks number one in the country in pipeline miles, and Texas ranks 4th in the world in the production of crude oil. We take for granted how this industry makes our lives easier each day, and we would be lost without the hard work of everyone who participates in the production of energy in Texas.”
Along with the hundreds participating in Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol in Austin, hundreds more lent their voice to the cause online, utilizing social platforms to join those in attendance in Austin in sharing with their lawmakers why oil and natural gas matters to them, their families, and the state.
“Energy Plaza” Exhibitors:
Chevron, ExxonMobil, Flogistix, Life:Powered, Marathon Oil, Marathon Petroleum, Energy Education Foundation Mobile Energy Learning Unit (MELU), Moody High School Robotics Team (Presented by CITGO), Permian Road Safety Coalition, Texas Hydrogen Alliance, Texas Oil & Gas Association, and Texas Propane Gas Association
Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol Sponsors:
Archrock, Apache, bp America, Cheniere, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Delek, Diamondback Energy, Energy Transfer, EOG Resources, ExxonMobil, Freeport LNG, Houston CCS Alliance, Kinder Morgan, Marathon Oil, Marathon Petroleum, Ovintiv, Occidental Petroleum, PDC Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources, Plains All American Pipeline, Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association, Sempra Infrastructure, Targa Resources, Texas Pipeline Association, Texas Hydrogen Alliance, TotalEnergies, Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Propane Gas Association, Valero, and Western Midstream
Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol Partners:
American Association of Professional Landmen, Associated Builders and Contractors Texas Coastal Bend Rio Grande Valley Council, Consumer Energy Alliance, Consumer Energy Education Foundation, Energy Workforce and Technology Council, Energy Education Foundation, Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Energy Transition Initiative, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Life:Powered, Longview Chamber of Commerce, Monahans Chamber of Commerce, NAPE, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Permian Road Safety Coalition, Permian Basin Petroleum Association, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Pipeliners Association, San Patricio County Economic Development Corporation, South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable, Texans for Natural Gas, Ted Walters & Associates, LLC, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Manufacturers, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Texas Ports Association, Texas Produced Water Consortium, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Texas Royalty Council, Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition, TXOGA Insurance Agency, Inc., Women’s Energy Network, and Young Professionals in Energy
Energy Day™ – is a registered trademark of the Consumer Energy Alliance – http://www.energydayfestival.org/
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About South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER)
STEER is the leading Eagle Ford Shale resource in the region and is the primary coordinator for communication and public advocacy surrounding the oil and natural gas industry in South Texas. STEER serves as the bridge connecting the industry and communities throughout South Texas to ensure positive collaboration and communication surrounding the activities associated with energy production in the Eagle Ford Shale and Rio Grande Valley. In 2018, the boards of STEER and TXOGA approved the merger of STEER into TXOGA. The merger was finalized on January 1, 2020.
Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.
