Railroad Commission of Texas
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans.
Emergency Management
Texas Energy on Track Podcast
RRC Awards
Work in the Field
Recent News
RRC Celebrates 135 Years of Dedicated Service to Texas
AUSTIN – On April 3, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) celebrated a major milestone, marking 135 years of service as the state’s oldest regulatory agency.
Since its founding in 1891, the Commission has guided Texas through many significant periods of change, from its initial role regulating a rapidly expanding railroad system, to the oil boom of the early 20th century, and, more recently, the shale boom of the 2000s.
With primary oversight and enforcement over the state’s oil and gas industry, intrastate pipelines, alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities and surface mining, the Commission plays a vital role in environmental safety and energy development for the betterment of all Texans.
“As we celebrate this anniversary, I invite you to reflect on the legacy of the RRC,” said Wei Wang, Executive Director of the RRC. “For more than a century, the agency’s hard work has helped shape Texas into the energy leader that it is today, an essential pillar of our state’s economy and a foundation for our nation’s energy independence and security. As we look to the future, we remain committed to our mission of protecting public safety and the environment.”
Over the last hundred years, the RRC has consistently delivered meaningful results launching multiple digital efforts to improve efficiency and transparency. This includes the creation of several online portals, including RRC Online Inspection Lookup (RRC OIL) and the Enforcement and Hearings Docket Management System - RRC CASES, as well as the digitization of more than 100 million oil and gas records.
For the past 135 years, the Commission has continually evolved. Constant improvements and striving for efficiency are the guiding principles for every Railroad Commission employee. Building a presence in and maintaining close contacts with local communities is the culture of the Commission. In addition to opening new district offices in Henderson and Lubbock, the RRC’s Office of Public Engagement has traveled to 36 cities and small towns across Texas in 2025, connecting with more than 21,000 Texans. Those efforts have increased even further in Fiscal Year 2026 with 30 speaking engagements reaching 32,400 attendees in 21 unique cities.
The Commission also expanded into new territory in recent years, issuing its very first permit for a deep geo-pressured geothermal well, marking a historic moment in Texas’ energy landscape. As the regulatory agency for Hydrogen pipelines and underground storage in Texas, the Commission chaired the newly established Hydrogen Production Policy Council and provided a report to the 89th Legislature on the future of Hydrogen in the state. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also granted the RRC Primacy for Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC), recognizing the Commission’s expertise and reinforcing the agency’s role in protecting Texans and the state’s natural resources.
In 2025, the RRC launched the State Taskforce on Petroleum Theft (STOPTheft). Led by RRC Chairman Jim Wright, this task force was created by the Texas Legislature to unite representatives from across the state’s energy industry, as well as federal and local law enforcement to help combat the scourge of petroleum theft in Texas.
Additionally, over $100 million was appropriated by the Legislature during the 89th Legislative Session to support the RRC’s State Managed Plugging Program (SMP). Since its inception in 1984, the SMP has plugged more than 46,000 wells, preventing environmental hazards. This appropriation marked the largest one-time infusion ever made by the Legislature for well plugging, ensuring the agency can continue to protect the state’s natural resources.
The RRC is uniquely positioned to meet the challenges of today’s world and a modern Texas, ensuring continued progress while upholding the standards that have defined its success.
View All News