Texas Groups Participate in Energy Workshop

Three Texas organizations participated in a workshop focused on HB 5066. The workshop was held in Midland, Texas and was organized by the Public Utility Commission (PUC).

The three Texas participants included the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA), the Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) and the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.

“Oil and natural gas are essential to meeting the demands of our everyday lives, and the production of these irreplaceable resources depends on additional electrical transmission to make available reliable power sources,” said TXOGA President Todd Staples.

“We appreciate the PUC for their hard work putting together today’s workshop. Industry remains committed to working collaboratively with the PUC, ERCOT, and other stakeholders to implement HB 5066 to ensure that the Lone Star State remains the energy leader.”

HB 5066 focuses on electricity service in areas of Texas with a need for transmission projects. Texas infrastructure has fallen under considerable scrutiny over the past few years, with its power grid often in trouble of failing.

“The ability to continue to expand development and production in the most important producing state in the country should not be further hindered by the sheer lack of electric power,” said Karr Ingham, Interim President of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.

The bill, signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) in June, expands Texas' electric power and allows for the state to continue drilling the earth in search of oil.

“We appreciate the Legislature and the Governor for recognizing this important issue and attacking it head-on with the passage of HB 5066. We look forward to working with the PUC and others to address this important challenge on behalf of our members and the oil and gas industry in Texas.”

The statement claims that the TXOGA chief economist provided data that emphasized a need for “additional transmission capabilities.”