Texas Border Business
HOUSTON — Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks emphasizing the critical role the oil and gas industry plays in making our state an economic powerhouse at the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) 80th Annual Convention.
“The world has recognized the critical role Texas, and Texas oil and gas, plays in global security, thanks to the work you do to make both Texas and America energy independent,” said Greg Abbott. “Your industry helps build the schools that educate our children and the roads Texans rely on every day. You help fund efforts to secure our border, and you provide the most essential power source for our electric grid. Quite simply, Texas would not be able to achieve what it does without the contributions of the oil and gas sector. On this important anniversary, I want to thank everyone in the Texas oil and gas industry for helping make Texas the number one state.”
The Governor was joined by Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Jim Wright, Representative Briscoe Cain, Representative Charles Cunningham, TIPRO Chairman Grant Johnson, and other state and local officials and business leaders.
During his remarks, Governor Abbott noted that Texas leads in U.S. energy production, providing nearly one-fourth of the country’s domestically produced energy. The Governor also highlighted the actions taken in the 89th legislative session that crack down on oil theft, including laws that increased criminal penalties for theft of petroleum-based products. Those actions included launching a Theft Prevention Unit at the Texas Department of Public Safety, authorizing local law enforcement to confiscate stolen petroleum products, and creating a program to inspect oil and gas tankers for possible theft. Additionally, Governor Abbott thanked the men and women in the oil and gas industry who work to provide Texans with the power needed to carry out their daily life.
