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The Issues

Protecting Our Environment.

Although you couldn’t tell it from its name, the primary focus of the Texas Railroad Commission is actually safeguarding our environment. While beneficial to the Texas economy the oil and gas industry, if left unchecked, poses a significant danger to our environment. As Railroad Commissioner, Dale Henry will make protecting the environment his number one priority:

• Saltwater Injection Wells. Saltwater injection wells such as those that now dominate the Barnett Shale region near Fort Worth pose a significant threat to our fresh water supply. Millions of gallons of salt water are pumped into our water table every day through the injection well process. As this salt water seeps from the well sites through the ground and into aquifers, it contaminates our fresh water supply not only with salt but also with benzene and other harmful chemicals that are byproducts of the saltwater injection process. Underground water supplies across Texas have already begun to show signs of contamination and, if the Railroad Commission continues to rubber stamp the hundreds of injection well permits it receives, the problem will get far worse.
• Abandoned Wells. Plugging abandoned wells is one of the biggest jobs of the Texas Railroad Commission. However, the rules in place to facilitate this process are outdated and simply aren’t realistic. As a result, abandoned wells which are capped and plugged across the state continue to leech toxic chemicals into the ground and, ultimately, into the state’s fresh water supply. As your Railroad Commissioner, Dale Henry will change these outdated rules and put in place more environmentally conscious, safe rules for plugging abandoned oil and gas wells.

Focus On Renewable Energy.

Texas needs energy sources that are safe, clean, affordable and sustainable. As Railroad Commissioner, Dale Henry will work toward creating a comprehensive energy policy for the state of Texas that focuses both on making the most out of our natural resources to help decrease dependence on foreign oil and on alternative sources of energy.

Keeping Texans Safe.

Oil and gas, by their nature, are dangerous-whether in refined form in a can in your garage or as raw oil or natural gas under the ground passing through pipes. The Texas Railroad Commission has done a poor job of oversight of oil and gas pipelines across the state and is, in fact, responsible for the deaths of several Texans and injuries to many more. As your Railroad Commissioner, Dale Henry will make safety-along with protecting his environment-his number one priority:

• Gas Coupling Safety. Hundreds of thousands of miles of underground oil and gas pipes lie buried under the surface of the ground all across the state. The Texas Railroad Commission is the state agency responsible for ensuring that these many miles of pipelines-including the ones that run under your home are safe. Sadly, the Railroad Commission has failed to make sure these pipes are safe. More than half a dozen people have died across Texas as a result of faulty gas couplings under or near their homes. The Texas Railroad Commission knew these couplings were faulty more than a decade ago, and did nothing. As your Railroad Commissioner, Dale Henry will take swift action to ensure that Texans are kept safe. Dale will ensure that the Railroad Commission uses its regulatory authority over energy companies and producers to force these companies to take action like replacing faulty gas couplings.
• Improved Enforcement. The Texas Railroad Commission is charged with enforcing a number of laws and regulations related to the energy industry. However, because of poor use of existing manpower and absentee-landlord style management by the existing Commissioners, the commission has grown lax in enforcing these laws and regulations. As Railroad Commissioner, Dale Henry will work to restructure the Texas Railroad Commission to make enforcement of environmental safeguards and consumer safeguards a top priority.