By Deb Hastings, Texas Oil & Gas Association and Omar Garcia, South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable  

From Cuero to Carrizo Springs, advances in technology have led to an unprecedented leap in oil and natural gas production in South Texas.  Oil and gas activity in the Eagle Ford has generated more than $61 billion in revenue and 116,000 full-time jobs, according to research from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  In Karnes County, employment in mining sector (which is mostly oil and gas) jumped 260 percent and industry wages increased 320 percent.  In Dimmitt County, local sales tax revenues recently doubled, apparently thanks to increased oil and gas activity; this is a quadruple-digit increase over two years before.   Without a doubt, increased oil and gas production is turning once sleepy towns into bustling centers for commerce of all kinds.  With this increase in commerce, comes an increase in road traffic.  While the legislature is wisely considering ways to fund improvements and repairs for roads in South Texas and beyond, oil and gas companies across the board have taken meaningful and pro-active steps to encourage safety behind the wheel.  Just as the oil and gas industry takes seriously its responsibility to maintain safe operations and job sites, the industry is committed to promoting safe driving.   Focus on driving safety isn’t a one-time occurrence.  Oil and gas companies provide comprehensive and ongoing training for fleet drivers that incorporate both classroom instruction and practical hands-on training.  Instructional programs are often followed by exams to certify that employees and contractors have met necessary standards.  Some companies also conduct refresher driver training courses throughout the year and hold weekly safety meetings where they may discuss considerations for driving at night or in hazardous weather.  Still others have instituted formal company-wide policies that prohibit cell phone use or texting while driving.    In addition to these courses and company policies, many Texas oil and gas operators utilize the cutting-edge technology to collect and process driver safety data from vehicles including speeding, swerving and hard brake incidents.  And, as an added precaution, many also equip fleets with backup cameras, stability controls, anti-lock braking systems, trailer sway control and hands-free devices.    Beyond training and equipment, some companies have developed innovative incentive-based programs to help encourage safe driving practices that may include bonuses, raises, or prizes.  The point of all of these programs is to establish, maintain and reinforce a focus on road safety for all oil and gas drivers.   Recognizing that keeping the roads safe must be a collaborative effort, the oil and natural gas industry worked closely with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to help develop and spread the word about TXDOT’s Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign.  The public education initiative presents common-sense but critical reminders to drivers to always drive at safe speeds; wear seatbelts; pass other vehicles carefully; always stop at red lights and stop signs; and, avoid distractions such as texting or cell phone use while driving.     The Texas Oil & Gas Association is also a proud partner in Safe Hand Texas, a public safety initiative from Texas Mutual Insurance, which provides educational resources and safety reminders for commercial drivers.  Both programs are helping raise awareness about ways we can increase safety on our roads by pulling together public and private entities in a positive and collaborative manner.   When it comes to road safety, every driver on Texas highways and byways has a role to play.     As oil and gas opportunities draw people into communities across South Texas, there is no doubt the additional activity will mean an increase in cars and trucks on the road.  But we must remember that with this increased economic good fortune, comes increased responsibility – something we all share.  The Texas oil and gas industry is committed to powering the state forward, working with statewide and community partners, and keeping safety as our collective priority number one.  

AUSTIN

The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill by Sen. Carlos Uresti designed to help counties repair and maintain roads that have been damaged by oil boom activity.   The committee voted 7-0 to send SB 1747, which would create County Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zones, to the Senate floor. So far six senators have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, both Democrats and Republicans.   "County roads were not designed for oil patch trucks carrying fracking sand, water, and heavy equipment, and they've suffered tremendous damage over the last few years because of the surge in energy production," Uresti said. "These roads must be kept in good shape, both for public safety and for continuing production activities."   Under current law, counties are primarily responsible for the repair and maintenance of county roads. Uresti said energy-producing counties deserve financial help for their roads because the entire state is benefiting from the upsurge in oil and gas production in the Eagle Ford Shale region and the Permian Basin.   "If we allow these roads to continue to deteriorate, we could kill the goose that lays the golden egg," Uresti said. "They must be made safe and durable for the driving public, whether you're driving a small car or an oil patch  truck."   The Texas Department of Transportation estimates that a county road used for drilling one oil and gas well will endure the equivalent of 8 million passenger vehicles. In the Eagle Ford Shale region alone, 5,400 wells have been permitted by the Texas Railroad Commission. And according to a recent study by the University of Texas at San Antonio, a total of 24,000 wells can be expected in the region by 2022.   "The need is clear," Uresti said. "Counties need immediate help and a long-term solution for these roads."   SB 1747 would allow counties to create Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zones — designated areas where county roads have been damaged by oil and gas production activity. A county could apply for road repair funds based on its number of well completions, the number of weight tolerance permits, and the amount of severance taxes collected. A county would also have to provide its county roads report for the past two years and contribute a match of up to 10 percent for each repair or maintenance project.   Uresti envisions that the program would be funded by the state's rainy day fund, which is comprised primarily of oil and gas severance tax revenues. That will require the passage of additional legislation.   A wide number of stakeholders have signed off on Uresti's bill, including county officials and energy industry representatives.   The Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and Texas Oil and Gas Association praised the approach at Wednesday's hearing, calling it the most fiscally responsible they had seen.   Sen. Uresti represents Senate District 19, which covers more than 35,000 square miles and contains all or part of 17 counties, two international ports of entry, ten state parks, 51 school districts, almost 9,000 miles of highways and county roads, and more than 29,000 producing oil and gas wells. The district is larger than 11 states and 124 Nations, and contains almost 400 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.

AUSTIN

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Erleigh Norville Wiley of Forney as Kaufman County district attorney for a term to expire at the next general election. Wiley is judge of the Kaufman County Court at Law, an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, and a former supervising attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Kaufman County Bar Association, a past member of the Dallas County Bar Association, and a graduate of the Texas College of Judicial Studies, National Drug Court Institute, and National College for DUI Defense. She is also president of the Kaufman County Juvenile Board and Kaufman Indigent Defense Board, a board member of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman and the Amanda F. Norville Children’s Shelter, and a member of the North Texas Chapter of Jack and Jill Clubs of America. Wiley received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law. This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.