David Porter

EAGLE FORD TASK FORCE TACKLES LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:38:54 AM

October 12, 2011 (AUSTIN) - The Eagle Ford Task Force met in Cuero Sept. 28 to discuss the impact oil and natural gas production in the Eagle Ford Shale is having on local community infrastructure. The task force announced today its adoption of several advisements related to truck traffic and pipeline development.

The rapid increase in truck traffic on local roads in the Eagle Ford Shale region has led to the deterioration of roads and an enhanced concern for public safety. The 24-member task force, created by Railroad Commissioner David Porter, listened to presentations and concerns from the Texas Department of Transportation, the Association of Energy Service Companies, the Texas Motor Transportation Association and the general public in an effort to determine solutions.

“We are seeing an overwhelming increase in traffic in these small communities and citizens are concerned,” said Commissioner Porter. “So we brought together the trucking industry, oil and gas industry, state and local government and the general public to engage in a productive dialogue, and as a result, we were able to come up with real, tangible solutions.”

Also on the task force agenda was pipeline infrastructure. Currently several billion dollars worth of pipeline projects are under development in the region, and local communities have expressed concern with how the development of these massive projects will affect them. Representatives from pipeline companies and legal experts addressed the task force, detailing impending projects and outlining their commitment to partnering with local governments and communities.

“The construction of a 20-inch crude oil line running 50 miles through a county can take the place of 1,250 tank truck trips per day, so it is imperative that we get these pipes in the ground; however, we must ensure local communities are protected” said Porter. “Our task force members, including representatives of pipeline companies, have agreed upon guidelines that will hold the pipeline industry accountable.”

Finally, the task force addressed the housing issue currently facing the region. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs spoke about the many programs they offer to combat rent increases and displaced families. Private developer, Bob Zacaraiah, also spoke about what local governments and communities can do to spur more private investment in the region. Several task force members expressed their desire to see builders develop more permanent housing, to foster community building, rather than temporary housing fixes.

As a result, the task force adopted the following advisements:

PIPELINES:

The placement of pipelines should avoid steep hillsides and watercourses where feasible.
Pipeline routes should take advantage of road corridors to minimize surface disturbance.
When clearing is necessary, the width disturbed should be kept to a minimum and topsoil material should be stockpiled to the side because retaining topsoil for replacement during reclamation can significantly accelerate successful revegetation.
Proximity to buildings or other facilities occupied or used by the public should be considered. Particular consideration should be given to homes.
Unnecessary damage to trees and other vegetation should be avoided.
After installation of a new line, all rights-of-way should be restored to conditions compatible with existing land use.

ROADS:

The task force supports trucking companies partnering with the Texas Department of Public Safety to develop a program that would alert companies when their drivers receive moving violations or drivers license suspensions.
The task force supports the creation of road use agreements or trucking plans between operators and local authorities. These agreements could include parameters such as:
- Operators must avoid peak traffic hours, school bus hours and community events.
- Operators must establish overnight quiet periods.
- Operators must ensure adequate off-road parking and delivery areas at all sites to avoid lane/road blockage.

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David J. Porter was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission on November 2, 2010. A Certified Public Accountant and successful small business owner, Commissioner Porter has worked with oil and gas producers for nearly three decades providing strategic financial advice and tax counsel. He has a long record of pro-business, free market, conservative credentials.

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER PORTER VISITS COMMISSION'S KILGORE OFFICE; UNVEILS BUILDING'S NEW SIGN

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:36:49 AM

September 29, 2011 (KILGORE) - Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter met today with Kilgore employees of the Railroad Commission’s district office and unveiled the office’s new sign for the Railroad Commission of Texas Bill Murray State Office Building.

“I am delighted to be in Kilgore, the heart of the East Texas Oil Field, and I appreciate the rich history and economic contributions of this special Field,” said Commissioner Porter. “The district office employs 37 professionals. They serve as the eyes and ears of our regulatory efforts; they ensure public safety and environmental protection; and they inspect the 6,690 oil, gas, and disposal wells currently operating in this Field.”

The East Texas Oil Field has produced more oil than any other field in the contiguous United States since its discovery in 1930. More than 30,340 wells have been drilled in this field, yielding more than 5.3 billion barrels of oil. This year so far, the Railroad Commission has issued 20 drilling permits for the East Texas Oil Field, double the amount issued last year.

“The independent operators led the early development of the Field and have continued to invest their capital and hard work into the Field,” said Commissioner Porter. “I am honored to recognize their contributions to local governments and the State. They have provided more than 9,800 oil and gas jobs in Gregg, Rusk, Smith, and Upshur counties; contributed more than $151 million in property taxes as of Aug. 31 of this year; and sent $60 million dollars in severance taxes to the State during fiscal year 2011. Since being elected Railroad Commissioner, I have valued the East Texas independent operators’ knowledge and input and look forward to meeting with many of them later today.”

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PORTER: TEXANS DON'T FEAR SCIENCE; NEITHER SHOULD THE EPA

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:32:30 AM

Published September 19, 2011 by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

This week the Environmental Protection Agency will begin collecting soil and water samples in the Barnett Shale region, specifically in Wise County, for what it is calling a study on hydraulic fracturing. As a member of the Texas Railroad Commission, our state's top energy regulator, I have grave concerns regarding this study.

The commission is exclusively responsible for the prevention and abatement of pollution of surface and subsurface water from oil and gas exploration and production activities, including hydraulic fracturing. I am intensely interested in the scope, methodology, science and conclusions of the EPA's study.

It is important to note that after more than 60 years of hydraulic fracturing, there has never been a documented case connecting the practice to groundwater pollution. I understand the EPA's study is the product of a congressional mandate, but I feel that it is a prime example of federal government overreach and a colossal waste of taxpayer money.

I also have concerns regarding the methodology by which the study's test sites were chosen. The sample was not selected based on science or fact, but rather solely from complaints by unsatisfied landowners. In fact, the EPA has stated in various media reports that they invited property owners to attend public meetings in order to directly express concerns regarding their groundwater -- not hydraulic fracturing concerns. It was through these public meetings that the test sites were chosen.

Furthermore, this sampling, based on sometimes-biased complaints, does not adequately reflect the scope of hydraulic fracturing in Texas. While there have been incidents of communication between gas fields and water wells due to faulty machinery, improperly drilled water wells or insufficient cement casings, they are not a result of the actual practice of hydraulic fracturing. I believe that the EPA's study will try to connect these few isolated incidences with hydraulic fracturing, which is simply not accurate.

The Railroad Commission performs a thorough, independent investigation for every single complaint we receive. Many of the complaints the EPA found through its public meetings were never registered with the commission, nor did the EPA forward them to us.

To choose test sites based on complaints that were never registered with the appropriate state regulatory body is a gross overreach by the federal government and tramples on the rights of states to regulate key industries. Furthermore, it is my duty to ensure environmental protection and public safety, and I cannot fulfill that duty if I am not made aware of citizen concerns.

My concerns are heightened because the EPA has previously released erroneous statements with regard to hydraulic fracturing and groundwater contamination in the Barnett Shale. In December, the EPA issued a severely misguided emergency order against Range Resources, alleging that the company's shale drilling and exploration activities contaminated a pair of drinking wells in Parker County.

The Railroad Commission immediately opened an investigation and subsequently held a hearing on the Range case. The EPA was invited to present its data at the hearing, but curiously chose not to participate.

The facts and evidence presented at our hearing determined unequivocally that the gas found in the Parker County water wells came from the shallow Strawn gas field, which is only a few hundred feet deep.

Hydraulic fracturing in the Barnett Shale, which generally occurs more than a mile deeper than any freshwater aquifer, could not possibly cause groundwater contamination. There simply is not a pathway for migration.

The commission will be out in Wise County this week to witness the EPA's sampling. Because the EPA has a demonstrated history of ignoring the facts and operating on theory versus science, we will split all samples and perform our own rigorous testing.

Texas is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, and through hydraulic fracturing, we can now develop resources we weren't able to capture before, providing an incredible opportunity to bolster the Texas economy.

It is imperative that Texas remains in control of regulating its own natural resources so that the energy regulatory climate here remains fair, steady and predictable.

The Railroad Commission's long history of wisely enforcing state regulations has allowed oil and gas to drive our economy and establish Texas as a national economic powerhouse. Let's keep it that way.

David J. Porter was elected to a six-year term as Texas railroad commissioner in November.

EAGLE FORD TASK FORCE MEETS TO DISCUSS GOALS AND TACKLE WORK FORCE ISSUES

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:03:51 AM

August 25,2011 (AUSTIN) —The Eagle Ford Task Force (EFTF), appointed by Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter, convened yesterday at Coastal Bend College in Beeville to outline its goals and engage in a productive discussion regarding work force issues related to the development of the Eagle Ford Shale.

The 24-member task force established that its main purpose is to serve as a forum for dialogue, so that task force members can bring issues and concerns from their constituents to the table and work toward solutions. The group also agreed to meet monthly and to provide recommendations on the top issues facing the region.

The EFTF also approved an agenda for the rest of the calendar year, prioritizing the region’s most pressing issues. Over the next four months, the task force will discuss the following:

Water usage as it relates to hydraulic fracturing
The impact of oil and gas production on community infrastructure
The need for public education regarding oil and gas production
Promoting economic development stemming from oil and gas production

“I am pleased to see the task force selecting topics for discussion that are crucial to the success of the development of the Eagle Ford Shale,” said Commissioner Porter. “If we handle this opportunity responsibly, we could be looking at the largest oil field ever discovered in Texas. It is imperative that we get this right, and our task force is on a clear-cut path to do so.”

The EFTF also discussed work force issues currently plaguing the region. Several industry representatives spoke about the need to fill hundreds of jobs this year and the obstacles they are facing in finding qualified applicants. Industry representatives estimated there are approximately 120 jobs connected to each drilling rig. Currently, there are approximately 200 rigs operating in the region. However, employers are often battling failed drug tests and background tests or the lack of commercial drivers licenses (CDL) when trying to fill these jobs.
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Representatives from Marathon Oil and Pioneer Resources spoke about successful recruiting tactics specific to the Eagle Ford region, such as recruiting from the military and hosting job fairs versus posting jobs online.

Manual Ugues, Business Services Director, Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend, discussed the many programs his organization is implementing to connect employers with skilled workers in the region. He urged employers to reach out to Workforce Solutions with their needs. To learn more about these programs, please visit: www.workintexas.com.

Glynis Straus, Dean of Institutional Advancement at Coastal Bend College spoke about the consortium of oil and gas classes the college is presently offering. Coastal Bend College has partnered with several organizations to provide world-class field training to students who can currently take courses such as: drilling industry introduction (elementary drilling), corrosion basics, petroleum safety and environmental hazards (H2S Training), technology/technician/management (supervisory skills), focused oil spill response training and CDL/driving safety courses.

“When unemployment in this country is over nine percent, it is great to see South Texas providing an abundance of good-paying, steady jobs. But we need to work to get those jobs filled, and that was the point of the task force discussion,” said Commissioner Porter. “I feel as though we provided some real solutions at the meeting, and I look forward to seeing those efforts implemented.”

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WORLD'S WATCHING: THERE'S LOTS RIDING ON SAFE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF EAGLE FORD SHALE

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:54:32 AM

Published August 3, 2011 by Houston Chronicle

The excitement across Texas about possibilities for new natural gas and oil plays is palpable, particularly across South Texas, site of the rich Eagle Ford Shale formation.

Like most Texans, we're supporters of responsible, environmentally sensitive development of these resources that can help bring well-paying jobs to Texas, greatly increased revenues to the state and greater energy and economic security to the country as well.

For those and other reasons we're pleased to see the Texas Railroad Commission take a pro-active position in overseeing safe and responsible development of the area's resources.

Commissioner David Porter has created an Eagle Ford Task Force to head off the kind of public backlash that has troubled the Barnett Shale area in North Texas.

Porter is on target with his diagnosis of what went wrong in North Texas: too little information about the development process, which has been near populated areas, and a perception that the energy companies doing the work were calling the shots while the Railroad Commission was largely AWOL or doing the minimum to direct the process to ensure that public and environmental interests were protected.

To his credit, Porter is trying to avoid a repeat of that situation in South Texas and the public backlash that could hinder development of the region's immense resources. He has assembled a group of 22 stakeholders that includes representatives of drilling, pipeline and trucking companies, green energy experts and environmentalists, county and economic development officials, landowners and those who represent landowners, according a report by Vicki Vaughan of the San Antonio Express-News that ran in last Thursday's Chronicle ("Eagle Ford advisers ready to tackle goals," Page D3, July 28).

The significance of this work was probably best summed up by an Eagle Ford landowner and member of the Sierra Club: "We're on a world stage," said Teresa Carrillo. While noting the "fantastic" economic opportunity presented by the drilling, Carrillo also focused on the challenge to do it right.

Others have emphasized the opportunity that Eagle Ford offers the industry to "do it right and establish best practices" that can be used in other areas going forward.

This attitude is imperative, we would argue, and appears to be gaining traction across the industry, judging by the remarks of visitors from the industry meeting with the Chronicle's editorial board recently.

We detect a consensus that when it comes to caring for the environment, the entire industry must be cleaner than clean — more rigorous than the regulators.

We hope that mind-set prevails and believe the Railroad Commission is setting the proper tone in its approach toward development in the Eagle Ford Shale area.

MAKE EAGLE FORD A FRACKING MODEL

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:51:21 AM

Published July 30, 2011 by the Express-News Editorial Board

Advances in recovering oil and gas from deep shale formations have reinvigorated the U.S. oil and gas industry. According to some energy analysts, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, holds the promise of unlocking a 100-year domestic supply of natural gas.

For Texas, the consequences of fracking are big and getting bigger. Development of the Barnett Shale in North Texas and the Eagle Ford Shale, which covers a large swath of South Texas, has created an economic boom.

The Center for Community and Business Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio looked at the economic impact of the Eagle Ford deposit. In a study released in February, the center estimated that by 2020 the Eagle Ford would account for close to $11.6 billion in gross state product, $21.6 billion in total economic output and support close to 68,000 full-time jobs.

Fracking may play an essential role in decreasing U.S. reliance on foreign sources of energy. It might serve as the foundation of a huge economic generator. But that presumes there is no public or regulatory backlash against the technique, which already is not without controversy.

Fracking requires the use of large amounts of water and a brew of chemicals to create fractures in formations deep underground. That raises questions about water management and the potential contamination of water resources.

With so much at stake, it's essential that Texas get fracking right. A safe and sustainable track record in Texas can set a national regulatory standard and make it easier for oil and gas companies to responsibly develop shale deposits elsewhere.

Railroad Commissioner David Porter deserves praise for recognizing the promise and the peril of fracking. Having learned from problems in the Barnett Shale, Porter created a 22-member Eagle Ford Task Force of stakeholders — including environmentalists — to communicate with the public, address thorny issues such as water and develop a system of best practices.

Fracking presents Texas and the nation with a tremendous opportunity to develop domestic sources of natural gas, a relatively clean form of energy. The Eagle Ford Task Force can play a big part in turning that opportunity into a reality.

TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSIONER DAVID PORTER ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF EAGLE FORD TASK FORCE

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:48:35 AM

July 27, 2011 (AUSTIN) —Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter announced today the members selected to serve on his Eagle Ford Task Force.

The Eagle Ford Shale is rapidly becoming one of the largest domestic crude oil and natural gas discoveries in more than 40 years. Roughly 50 miles wide and 400 miles long, the Eagle Ford spreads across Texas from the Mexican border covering 24 Texas counties.

“The Eagle Ford Shale has the potential to be the single most significant economic development in our state’s history,” said Commissioner Porter. “We must develop this shale responsibly, finding the proper way to develop these resources while ensuring environmental protection.”

Commissioner Porter has created a Task Force to establish a forum that will bring the community together and foster a dialogue. The mission of the task force is three-fold:

Open the lines of communication between all parties
Establish best practices for developing the Eagle Ford Shale
Promote economic benefits locally and statewide

“We received an overwhelming amount of feedback from talented and credible applicants, so the selection process was not an easy one,” said Commissioner Porter. “However, I am confident we have chosen the right group to lead us through the development of the Eagle Ford Shale. We have done our best to ensure each stakeholder group is represented and all voices are heard.”

The Task Force is comprised of local community leaders, local elected officials, water representatives, environmental groups, oil and gas producers, pipeline companies, oil services companies (including a hydraulic fracturing company, a trucking company and a water resources management company), landowners, mineral owners and royalty owners.

The Task Force met today in San Antonio and set an agenda for work moving forward. Porter plans for the Task Force to meet monthly, with the second meeting occurring in late August in the Eagle Ford region.

The members of the Task Force are:

Leodoro Martinez – Middle Rio Grande Development Council, Executive Director, Cotulla
Kirk Spilman – Marathon Oil, Asset Manager Eagle Ford, San Antonio
The Honorable Jaime Canales – Webb County Commissioner, Precinct 4, Laredo
Teresa Carrillo – Sierra Club, Executive Committee Member – Lone Star Chapter, Treasurer – Coastal Bend Sierra, Corpus Christi
James E. Craddock – Rosetta Resources, Senior Vice President, Drilling and Production Operations, Houston
Erasmo Yarrito – Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Rio Grande Valley Water Master, Harlingen
Steve Ellis – EOG Resources, Senior Division Counsel, Corpus Christi
The Honorable Daryl Fowler – Dewitt County Judge, Cuero
Brian Frederick – DCP Midstream, Southern Unit Vice President for the East Division, Houston
Anna Galo – Vice President, ANB Cattle Company, Laredo
The Honorable Jim Huff – Live Oak County Judge, George West
Stephen Ingram – Halliburton, Technology Manager, Houston Business Development & Onshore South Texas, Houston
Mike Mahoney – Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, General Manager, Pleasanton
James Max Moudy – MWH Global, Inc., Senior Client Service Manager, Houston
Trey Scott – Trinity Minerals Management, LTD, Founder, San Antonio
Mary Beth Simmons – Shell Exploration and Production Company, Senior Staff Reservoir Engineer, Houston
Terry Retzloff – TR Measurement Witnessing, LLC, Founder, Campbellton
Greg Brazaitis – Energy Transfer, Vice President, Government Affairs, Houston
Glynis Strause – Coastal Bend College, Dean of Institutional Advancement, Beeville
Susan Spratlen – Pioneer Natural Resources, Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Dallas
Chris Winland – Good Company Associates; University of Texas at San Antonio, Interim Director, San Antonio Clean Energy Incubator, Austin/San Antonio
Paul Woodard – J&M Premier Services, President, Palestine

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TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSIONER DAVID PORTER VOWS TO PUSH FOR RULEMAKING PROCESS FOR FRAC FLUID DISCLOSURE TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY 1, 2012

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:44:04 AM

June 3, 2011 (AUSTIN) —Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter announced today that he would push the Railroad Commission (RRC) to complete the entire rulemaking process requiring disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing by July 1, 2012.

The Texas Legislature sent a bill to Governor Rick Perry on Tuesday requiring the RRC to write disclosure rules for hazardous chemicals by July 1, 2012. The bill requires the RRC to complete rulemaking for all other chemicals used in the process by July 1, 2013.

“In order for Texans to maintain confidence in the oil and gas industry, it is important for us to get this done as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner Porter. “Hydraulic fracturing has been an economic driver for Texas, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and adding billions of dollars to local economies. We are currently seeing record activity in the Eagle Ford Shale due to hydraulic fracturing which is why I am creating a task force to study these very issues. We need to assure the public that hydraulic fracturing is safe and responsible - and has been for the past sixty years - and we need to do it now.”

The RRC will begin the rulemaking process at its next open conference this month and will hold open meetings throughout the state in coming months to garner public comment.

“I applaud Chairman Jim Keffer, Chair of the Texas House Committee on Energy, for bringing together industry, environmental groups and lawmakers to pass this historic legislation, keeping Texas at the forefront of oil and gas regulation,” said Commissioner Porter. “I want to make sure the RRC follows Chairman Keffer’s lead and continues to give every party a seat at the table.”

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STATE REGULATOR FORMS EAGLE FORD SHALE TASK FORCE

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:39:42 AM

Posted on May 16, 2011 by chron.com Energy

The Texas Railroad Commission is creating a task force in the Eagle Ford shale region of South Texas to ensure that regulators can keep up with the oil and gas boom there, one of the three commissioners said Monday.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Commissioner David Porter said the state’s main drilling regulator wants to avoid repeating problems that arose when gas drilling took off in the Barnett Shale in North Texas in the middle of the last decade.

Breakthroughs in two technologies — hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling – have allowed drillers to tap economically into prolific shale formations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and many other parts of the country.

The speed of development in North Texas led to backlashes against drilling in some communities, Porter said.

“There’s a perception problem that no one was regulating the oil and gas industry,” Porter said. “And it’s still out there, that the oil companies are doing whatever they want.”

Porter said he believes the Eagle Ford has the potential to be the biggest single economic driver in South Texas’ history.

The task force will comprise about a dozen members, including large and small producers, oil field services companies, local elected officials, landowners and environmental groups.

“We want to make sure the lines of communication are clear,” Porter said.

But the commission still may face staff shortages because of deep cuts the Legislature is making this session.

During the last session in 2009 the Commission was funded for 704 full-time equivalent positions, which was considered less than full staffing.

Now the staffing is around 625, down because of budget reductions state leaders asked all agencies to make in the past year.

The commission wants funding for 40 to 50 positions above the 704 funded in 2009, but Porter isn’t optimistic.

A staffing shortage could lead to delays in issuing permits for Eagle Ford work, he said. Worker shortages already have slowed some permitting and enforcement work.

Historically, the commission has moved workers from other divisions when necessary to keep permits for new wells flowing.

“That’s been the highest priority within the commission, to keep everything moving economically,” Porter said – acknowledging the potential for conflict between that function and enforcing safety rules, including ensuring that underground aquifers aren’t contaminated by drilling activities.

“It’s a fine line we walk at the Railroad Commission, between protecting public health and safety and promoting the industry,” Porter said.

The water issues in the Eagle Ford will be even more sensitive than in the Barnett Shale, Porter said, because the area is more arid and the aquifers are deeper than in North Texas, meaning well casing has to run deeper to protect the drinking water.

EAGLE FORD IS OPPORTUNITY, RESPONSIBILITY

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:37:00 AM

Published Sunday, April 10, 2011 in the Corpus Christi Caller Times

CORPUS CHRISTI — I am David Porter, Texas' newest Railroad Commissioner, and I've got good news.

In a time when media coverage is dominated by negativity and positive outlooks are scarce, I am pleased to report there is an economic boom under way in South Texas.

The Eagle Ford Shale, a vast oil and gas region, is rapidly becoming one of the largest domestic crude oil and natural gas discoveries in more than 40 years and through hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technology, we can now reach the oil and gas formations under the Eagle Ford's dense rock. Roughly 50 miles wide and 400 miles long, the Eagle Ford spreads across Texas from the Mexican border covering 24 Texas counties. From San Antonio all the way down to Laredo, Texans are experiencing unprecedented economic growth.

To put this in perspective, the very first well was drilled in the Eagle Ford in 2008; just three short years later, the shale play supports nearly 13,000 full time jobs, paying over $500 million in salaries and can claim almost $3 billion in revenues. In Bexar County alone, close to 700 jobs have been created as a result of increased activity in the Eagle Ford region.

Furthermore, the Eagle Ford underlies mostly privately owned land. So in addition to job creation, there are a multitude of private landowners set to reap massive financial rewards in the form of royalty payments — further stimulating the economy. On top of which, the current rise in oil prices will lead to more drilling and increased productivity.

Let me be clear: This has the potential to be the single most significant economic development in our state's history.

On the other hand, we must not act with haste. We must develop this shale responsibly, finding the proper way to exploit these resources while ensuring environmental protection. We must heed the lessons learned from our neighbors to the North through the development of the Barnett Shale. We must do this the right way. The Railroad Commission has adopted temporary rules to regulate activity in the region and I am closely monitoring the situation. I plan to meet regularly with industry representatives and local government authorities to listen to concerns and make sure our staff is addressing them. My office stands ready to host open forums to discuss the issues facing your communities.

We are looking into creating an Eagle Ford Task Force comprised of representatives from affected communities, state and local government and industry. We need to stay ahead of pressing issues so we don't make the same mistakes we made in the Barnett Shale. I will not let the Railroad Commission be a silent partner in developing this trend.

For example, we know water is scarce in South Texas and we must protect the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer at all costs. Fortunately, the Railroad Commission has a comprehensive regulatory framework in place to protect groundwater. However, we need more boots on the ground and more trucks in the field to ensure our guidelines are being met and our drinking water remains safe. I pledge to focus my efforts in the coming months on bringing more Railroad Commission staff to the region.

The recent development in the Eagle Ford proves yet again the fundamental role the oil and gas industry plays in the Texas economy. Even the most modest projections show that by 2020 the Eagle Ford will support approximately 68,000 full-time jobs. We have an incredible opportunity to bolster our state's economy and it is my goal to ensure we develop this precious natural resource properly.

David Porter was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission last year.