If you’re standing in a voting booth in Texas and you see a race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, you might think you’re voting for the person who makes sure the trains run on time. Honestly? You couldn't be more wrong.
It’s one of the weirdest quirks in American government. The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) hasn't had a single thing to do with actual railroads since 2005. Not a track, not a locomotive, not a whistle.
So, what does the Texas Railroad Commissioner actually do? Basically, they run the oil and gas industry in Texas. Since Texas is the energy capital of the world, that makes these three people—who most Texans couldn't name if you paid them—some of the most powerful individuals in the global economy.
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When you flip a light switch, fill up your truck, or pay your heating bill, you’re feeling the ripple effects of decisions made in a nondescript building in Austin.
The Oil and Gas Powerhouse
Texas produces more oil than most countries. If Texas were its own nation, it would be the fourth-largest oil producer on the planet. And the Railroad Commission is the primary watchdog for all of it.
The three commissioners oversee everything from the initial drilling permit to the final plugging of an abandoned well. They decide who gets to drill, where they can do it, and how much waste they’re allowed to produce. It’s a massive operation. We’re talking about more than 250,000 active oil and gas wells across the state.
But it’s not just about the "black gold." The commission also handles:
- Natural Gas Utilities: They help set the rates you pay for gas in your home.
- Pipeline Safety: Texas has the largest pipeline network in the U.S. The RRC ensures those pipes aren't leaking or blowing up.
- Surface Mining: They regulate coal and uranium mining, making sure the land is actually put back together (reclaimed) after the miners leave.
- Alternative Fuels: Believe it or not, they oversee things like propane and compressed natural gas (CNG).
Why the Misleading Name?
You’ve gotta go back to 1891 to understand the branding problem. Back then, the railroads were the big corporate bullies. Governor James "Pa" Hogg created the commission to stop them from overcharging farmers.
Eventually, oil was discovered at Spindletop in 1901. Since the oil was moved via pipelines—which were legally considered "common carriers" just like railroads—the duty of regulating them fell to the Railroad Commission. Over the decades, the trains were phased out of their jurisdiction, but the name stuck.
Lawmakers have tried to change the name to something like the "Texas Energy Resources Commission" at least half a dozen times. Every time, the bill dies. Some say it’s tradition; others argue the confusing name helps the industry operate under the radar.
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The Three-Headed Leadership
Unlike the Governor or the Attorney General, who are solo acts, the Texas Railroad Commissioner is part of a three-person board. They serve six-year staggered terms. This means every two years, one of them is up for election.
As of early 2026, the current commissioners are:
- Christi Craddick (Chairman)
- Wayne Christian
- Jim Wright
They are all Republicans, which has been the case for decades. They hold "Open Meetings" where they vote on enforcement actions, fine companies for spills, or grant exceptions to state rules. If you ever watch one of these meetings, it’s a mix of dense technical jargon about "bottom-hole pressure" and high-stakes legal arguments.
The Friction: Regulation vs. Industry
This is where things get spicy. Critics, like the Sierra Club and Public Citizen, often claim the RRC is a "captured agency." That’s a fancy way of saying the people being regulated (the big oil companies) are the ones funding the campaigns of the people doing the regulating (the commissioners).
Data from groups like Texans for Public Justice often shows that a huge chunk of the millions raised by commissioners comes directly from the energy sector. The commissioners, for their part, argue that their job is to balance environmental safety with economic growth. They’ll tell you that a healthy oil industry means more jobs and billions of dollars for Texas schools.
One of the biggest flashpoints lately? Flaring. That’s when companies burn off excess natural gas at the well site because they don't have a pipeline to move it. It creates a lot of CO2 and light pollution. Environmentalists want it banned; the commission usually grants permits to keep it going to avoid shutting down production.
Why This Matters to You
You might think, "I don't own an oil well, why do I care?"
Well, did you live through the 2021 Winter Storm Uri? When the grid almost failed and people were freezing? The Railroad Commission was right in the middle of that mess. They manage the "critical infrastructure" of the gas supply. If the gas doesn't flow to the power plants, the lights don't stay on.
After that disaster, the commission had to pass new rules requiring companies to "winterize" their equipment. Whether those rules are tough enough is still a massive debate in the Texas Legislature.
Then there’s the issue of seismicity—aka earthquakes. Parts of West Texas and the Dallas area started shaking a few years back. Scientists linked it to the injection of saltwater (a byproduct of fracking) deep underground. The Texas Railroad Commissioner had to step in and limit those injection wells to stop the ground from shaking.
How to Track What They’re Doing
If you actually want to see where the money is going or what’s happening in your backyard, you don't have to be a lobbyist.
The RRC website has a tool called the Public GIS Viewer. It’s a map that shows every single well, pipeline, and permit in the state. You can zoom into your neighborhood and see exactly who is drilling what.
Also, their "Monthly Enforcement Actions" are public. It’s a list of which companies got caught breaking the rules and how much they had to pay. Sometimes it's a $500 fine for a paperwork error; sometimes it's tens of thousands for a major leak.
Actionable Steps for Texans
If you want to have a say in how Texas handles its energy, here is the roadmap:
- Check the Election Cycle: Jim Wright’s seat is on the ballot in November 2026. If you want a change in how the agency is run, that’s your window.
- Attend or Stream a Meeting: The commissioners meet roughly twice a month. You can watch the broadcasts on the RRC website. It’s the best way to see how they handle "contested cases" where landowners fight big energy companies.
- Use the GIS Map: If you see a new site being cleared near your house, look it up on the RRC Public GIS Viewer to see if it's a permitted well or a pipeline.
- Monitor Flaring Permits: If you’re concerned about air quality, you can search for "Rule 32" exceptions on the RRC site—that’s the specific rule that allows companies to flare gas.
- Contact the District Office: The RRC has 12 district offices across Texas (like in Midland, Kilgore, and San Antonio). If you see a spill or smell a leak, call them directly rather than the main office in Austin. They are the boots on the ground.