H.R. No. 441
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Employees, advocates, and partners of the energy
industry are celebrating Texas Energy Day at the State Capitol on
March 7, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Texas is the number one state in the U.S. for oil and
natural gas production, refining capacity, and pipeline miles;
moreover, the state has played an important part in helping our
nation become the world's leader in oil and gas production, which
has created an unprecedented level of American energy security; the
oil and gas industry also contributes greatly to the economic
well-being of the state by directly providing approximately 443,000
jobs, with many more jobs indirectly tied to the oil and gas sector,
and in 2022 the industry generated nearly $25 billion in taxes and
royalties that helped fund such essential infrastructure as
schools, roads, and emergency services; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, Texas school districts received more than
$1.5 billion in property taxes from mineral properties producing
oil and natural gas, pipelines, and gas utilities, and Texas
counties received $608 million; the oil and gas industry also paid
$1.5 billion to the Economic Stabilization Fund last year and
another $2.1 billion to the Permanent University Fund; and
WHEREAS, The state's preeminent role in energy production has
been furthered through the use of fracking and other innovative
processes; many Texas oil and natural gas companies are leading the
way in developing new technologies designed to reduce water use,
expand water reuse, and increase the use of naturally occurring
salt water in their operations; and
WHEREAS, Because of advances in technology, carbon dioxide
emissions in the United States are at some of the lowest levels in
nearly three decades, and today, natural gas production has a
smaller carbon footprint than burning coal or petroleum products;
according to the Railroad Commission of Texas, the percentage of
natural gas flared out of all the natural gas produced in Texas
decreased by 73 percent between June 2019 and May 2021, with less
than two percent of the natural gas produced in Texas flared or
vented; further, even though oil and natural gas production have
skyrocketed, in 2020, methane emissions from the industry were down
17 percent since 1990; and
WHEREAS, Oil and natural gas are used to make the vast
majority of products and materials that we use every day, including
plastics, medicines, computers, and more, and Texas is a vital
contributor to the nation's global energy leadership; and
WHEREAS, The Texas oil and natural gas industry plays an
essential role in securing our state and national economy and
advancing global stability, and it is indeed fitting that the Texas
energy industry and its partners be recognized for their
contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2023, as Texas Energy Day at
the State Capitol and extend to all those participating in the event
sincere best wishes for the future.
Goldman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 441 was adopted by the House on March
16, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House