The Election is fast approaching. I will probably vote early sometime this week. But I am reminded that every time I vote I see this little column with a few names in it under a job description that I have no idea what it is.
Railroad Commissioner
The only thing I can think of is some guy in a conductors hat waving to small kids in the back of vehicles as he passes them by the intersection. (Remember the guys that used to ride in the caboose who would wave to you?)
So I did some investigating and here is what our Texas Railroad Commissioner is responsible for.
- Regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas.
- Oversees the drilling of wells, the production and transportation of oil and gas, and the disposal of oil and gas waste.
- Ensures the plugging of abandoned wells that pose serious environmental and physical safety threats.
- Regulates over 300 gas utilities.
- Regulates oil and gas pipeline safety in Texas.
- Administers federal surface coal mining and reclamation laws at the state level.
- Regulates the liquefied petroleum gas industry in Texas: including propane, liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas wholesalers, retailers and transport trucks.
- Monitors rail safety in Texas.
This guy sounds like a super-hero. Forget the conductor cap... this guy needs a cape!
