September 22, 2020
AUSTIN – Today, State Senator Pete Flores, State Representative César Blanco and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs headlined the Texas Oil & Gas Association’s (TXOGA) latest virtual energy summit, Powering Your Community – El Paso & Big Bend. The event was part of a new series of virtual summits TXOGA is hosting around the state during the months of September and October.
Moderated by TXOGA President Todd Staples, the summit focused on the impact of the oil and natural gas industry in the El Paso and Big Bend regions, the contribution of the industry to education locally and statewide, and the importance of energy trade between Texas and Mexico.
“Every Texan in Senate District 19 benefits from a thriving oil and natural gas industry through well-paying jobs, investments in our communities and tax revenues that support public education, roads, emergency responders and more,” said Flores. “At the same time, the industry is innovating and investing billions of dollars in technologies that are improving the environment.”
Representative Blanco discussed the economic impact of the oil and natural gas industry as it relates to education in Texas.
“Many people may not know how much the Texas oil and natural gas industry directly supports public education and our universities,” said Blanco. “Our Permanent School Fund and our Permanent University Fund are among the largest education endowments in the nation and they’re exclusively funded with revenue from oil and natural gas activity.”
Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs emphasized the importance of trade, specifically trade between the United States and Mexico and the impact of exported liquified natural gas (LNG).
“Oil and natural gas produced in Texas strengthens our relationships with important trade partners while fortifying our economy at home,” said Hughs. “Our expanded ability to export LNG will take Texas to the next level as a leader in providing affordable, reliable energy that will lift up communities and grow economies around the world.”
Staples shared his perspectives on what Texas can do to accelerate economic recovery and help the state maintain its global energy standing.
“Recent developments remind us that benefits associated with a thriving energy sector are not guaranteed,” said Staples. “As oil and natural gas companies navigate the challenges of the marketplace, we need to be doing all that we can to maintain the stabilizing force that Texas has become for our state and the world. We can do that by holding fast to science-based regulations and policies that encourage responsible energy production, expanded pipeline infrastructure and continued investment in innovations that have made the United States the world leader in energy production and environmental progress.”
TXOGA is hosting regional energy summits across the state. The full schedule is here.
The entire Powering Your Community – Virtual Energy Summit Series is available to view online on TXOGA’s YouTube page and at http://www.txoga.org/2020-virtual-energy-summit-series/.
+++
Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.