The Texas Railroad Commission, the state agency that oversees the nation’s largest oil and gas industry, changed its public‑participation rules at its monthly meeting in Austin. By a 2‑1 vote, Commissioners Wayne Christian and Jim Wright approved a policy that eliminates the standing agenda item for public comment. Under the new rule, comment will be allowed only if a commissioner requests a public‑comment slot in advance; otherwise, no public comment will be scheduled.

How the policy was adopted

Commissioner Wayne Christian introduced the policy on Tuesday without prior distribution to the public. The other two commissioners appeared to read the document only briefly on the dais before voting. Commissioner Christi Craddick voted against the change, arguing that Texans should retain the opportunity to speak directly to elected officials at open meetings. The motion passed with Christian and Wright in favor.

What the new policy entails

In addition to removing the guaranteed public‑comment slot, the policy adds more frequent “listening sessions” where residents can bring concerns to commission staff. Those sessions are organized by the Office of Public Engagement, but commissioners do not attend them. The agency says the sessions provide a “more meaningful forum” for Texans to ask questions and raise issues with staff who can help address them.

Reaction from watchdogs and the public

Virginia Palacios, executive director of the nonprofit watchdog Commission Shift, has spoken at almost every open meeting since 2021. She registered to comment on the proposed policy, but the commissioners did not call on her. After the vote, Palacios told Inside Climate News, “You just approved an agenda item on public participation without allowing public participation.” Commissioner Craddick reminded her that public comment cannot address items already posted and voted on.

Critics argue that the listening sessions do not replace the open‑meeting comment period, which allows citizens to address commissioners directly and simultaneously. Palacios wrote in a blog post that the sessions should not be a substitute for the traditional public‑comment opportunity.

Historical context

The Railroad Commission was created in 1891 to regulate railroads. It no longer oversees railroads and has for decades regulated oil and gas production in Texas. A 2016‑17 review by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission recommended renaming the agency to better reflect its mission, but the state legislature has not acted on that suggestion.

Commissioners’ statements

Commissioner Christian said the new policy “expands opportunities for public participation” by adding listening sessions at least once a month. He added that the agency’s Office of Public Engagement “educates the public and provides a more accessible way for Texans to engage with the agency.” A spokesperson for the commission echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the “expanded outreach and accessibility” of the updated policy.

Commissioner Craddick expressed concern that the removal of the automatic public‑comment slot could limit Texans’ ability to speak directly to elected officials, noting that some individuals have previously abused the open‑comment process but that many still wish to engage with the commissioners.

Implications for Texans

The change means that residents who travel from South Texas, the Permian Basin, or the Gulf Coast to speak at the monthly meetings may no longer have a guaranteed chance to address the commissioners unless a commissioner requests it. While the agency promotes the listening sessions as an alternative venue, the sessions do not feature the elected commissioners themselves.

Stakeholders will be watching how the new policy is implemented and whether the listening sessions provide a genuine avenue for public input or simply reduce direct accountability to elected officials.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.