Why Bill Burch Is The Right Choice for Railroad Commissioner
The election for Railroad Commissioner is a critical race that could shape Texas' environmental destiny.
The Railroad Commission of Texas, despite its somewhat misleading name, stands as a pivotal regulatory body with a profound impact on both the state and the nation’s energy landscape. Far from its origins in overseeing railroads, the Commission today plays a crucial role in regulating the oil and gas industry, which is the bedrock of Texas’s economy and a significant contributor to the country’s energy supply. This agency’s decisions influence everything from the price of energy to environmental policies, making its oversight critical in an era where energy independence and environmental responsibility are paramount.
As Texans head to the polls, the race for a seat on the Railroad Commission is a decision with far-reaching consequences for the nation’s energy policy and environmental future. The Commissioners’ ability to shape regulations for the oil and gas sector oversee the implementation of safety standards, and their impact on the state’s approach to renewable energy sources underline the significance of this race. The importance of electing a knowledgeable, forward-thinking Railroad Commissioner cannot be overstated in a state where oil rigs and wind turbines share the horizon. It is a race that not only defines Texas’s economic landscape but also its commitment to pioneering a sustainable energy future.
The Railroad Commissioner has one of the essential jobs in Texas, and I trust Bill Burch to lead the body away from corruption and toward cleaner air and safer water.
Bill Burch has several decades of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. He played a crucial role in the Deepwater Horizon Spill in 2010, managing and mitigating the environmental impact of the oil spill. Burch’s background includes expertise in crisis management, conservation and environmental restoration. Additionally, he has also been involved in fighting oil fires in the Middle East.
Texas has 330,000 miles of oil and gas pipeline and 1.2 million oil wells—86% of which are plugged or abandoned.
At a recent speech, Burch said, “The reason that I’m running is that after 23 years and 65 countries, working around the world, the conditions I’ve seen in Texas are some of the worst I’ve ever witnessed.”
This can’t be understated. Many of us living in Texas have become so used to the sheer level of corruption between our politicians and the oil and gas industry that we’ve, in sorts, tuned it out. But the truth is, oil and gas moguls have been buying off politicians in Texas for over a century to get around regulations and cleanups.
Because of that:
Air pollution from domestic oil and gas production is responsible for about $77 billion in health impacts nationwide yearly, with Texas among the states with the highest proportion of associated health damages.
The report, The Permian Basin Climate Bomb, reveals that burning the oil and gas projected to be produced in the Permian Basin by 2050 will release nearly 40 billion tons of CO2, almost 10% of the remaining global carbon budget for staying under 1.5 degrees C.
The oil and gas sector in Texas has long been able to grease the palms of Republican Railroad Commissioners to get them to look the other way on environmental concerns, and then stuff the pockets of legislators in Austin to make sure their profits keep rolling.
What matters most to Texans in the energy capital of America?
Can you turn the lights on?
Can you afford your electricity bill?
Can you trust your tap-water?
Will future generations have clean water in Texas?
If we do not get the Republicans who are beholden to the oil and gas industry out of office, the answer to all of those questions will soon be, “No.”
Bill Burch is running on experience in disaster cleanup, and the oil and gas sector in Texas is a disaster. We need someone like Burch who recognizes how bad the situation is and is willing to roll up their sleeves to make it better.
Burch’s top four platform positions on his website are: integrity and accountability, safety, job security, and transparency.
For all of these reasons, Lone Star Left endorses Bill Burch for Texas Railroad Commission.
You can find out more about Bill Burch on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Important 2024 primary election days:
February 20, 204: First Day of Early Voting.
February 23, 2024: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail.
March 1, 2024: Last Day of Early Voting.
March 5, 2024: Election Day!
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