Laredo Town Hall Puts Texas Railroad Commission Race in Focus

Rosenthal uses Laredo forum to explain oil, gas and energy oversight

LAREDO, Texas — Democratic Texas Railroad Commission candidate Jon Rosenthal met with residents and students at a town hall Saturday in Laredo, using the gathering to explain how the powerful but little-known state agency affects oil production, wastewater disposal, environmental enforcement and Texas’ growing electricity needs.

Rosenthal, a Houston Democrat, career oil field engineer and four-term Texas House member, spoke with attendees about underground carbon dioxide injection, data centers and the disposal of wastewater generated by oil production. The forum was his first town hall since winning the Democratic primary nomination for a seat on the three-member commission, which regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry despite its name.

The agency’s decisions carry national significance because Texas produces nearly half of the country’s oil supply. Its duties include overseeing drilling, pipelines, gas utilities and the disposal of oil-field wastewater. The commission also has responsibility for abandoned oil and gas wells, including wells that can become pathways for wastewater to reach the surface and require costly environmental remediation.

At the Laredo event, Rosenthal described how wastewater injection practices in the Permian Basin of West Texas have been associated with seismic activity. He focused less on laying out a full campaign platform than on demonstrating familiarity with the technical and regulatory issues that come before the commission.

“I think we all learned a little bit more talking with Rosenthal,” said Chris Benavides, 17, who is involved with Webb County’s young Democrats and attended the town hall.

Residents raise concerns over enforcement, pollution and power demand

Several attendees told The Texas Tribune after the event that they came away with a clearer understanding of the Texas Railroad Commission and its role in environmental oversight. Concerns raised at the meeting included flaring, the burning of excess gas at oil production sites, repeat polluters receiving permits and whether the agency has sufficient staff and funding to enforce existing rules.

Pamela Neumann, a sociology professor at a local university, said Rosenthal’s discussion of the commission’s workforce and budget limitations stood out. She said she had not previously known that companies with pollution records could continue receiving permits.

“It sounds like [the Railroad Commission] is actually under-resourced to actually enforce any of the existing regulations that might ensure that oil companies are following the law,” Neumann said. “It’s very concerning.”

Laredo City Council member Melissa Cigarroa questioned Rosenthal about data centers, oil-field pollution and water issues. She said Texas lawmakers have not adequately addressed those matters and voiced concern about the state power grid as electricity demand rises.

Rosenthal will face Republican nominee Bo French, a former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, in the general election. French has centered parts of his campaign on cultural issues and attacked Rosenthal over a 2021 social-media selfie in which Rosenthal wore a mask reading “Protect Trans Kids.” French has also made controversial statements about immigration and religion.

Rosenthal said he intends to steer the contest toward the commission’s core responsibilities and voter education about an agency whose work shapes energy production and environmental policy across Texas. The Texas Railroad Commission race remains headed for the general election, with both nominees now set after the March primaries.