WEBVTT 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:08.740 Fantastic. Good morning, everyone. Happy New Year. 00:00:08.750 --> 00:00:11.349 And welcome to the Railroad Commission of Texas. My 00:00:11.349 --> 00:00:13.080 name's Jeremy Mazar. I'm the Director of Government 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:15.460 Relations for the Railroad Commission. And I'm excited 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:18.190 and honored to be here today for the swearing in of 00:00:18.190 --> 00:00:21.460 our 51st Commissioner. Commissioner Jim Wright. Before 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:24.420 we begin, I'd like to introduce Mr Luke Wright, Jim 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:26.859 and Sherry Wright's son, to start our meeting with a 00:00:26.870 --> 00:00:30.550 prayer. Luke is the pastor and speaker with Texas Cowboys 00:00:30.550 --> 00:00:32.759 Churches, and we're honored to have him here today. 00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:45.240 So please stand. And Luke, please come come up and lead us in prayer. 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:48.359 Father God, as a state united, we come humbly in prayer. 00:00:49.039 --> 00:00:51.039 First we give thanks, Almighty Father, to the great 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:54.280 state in which we all live, knowing that you 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:57.409 carved out a state as a representation of what a 00:00:57.409 --> 00:01:00.270 little piece of Heaven is like. Father God, you told 00:01:00.270 --> 00:01:03.250 Joshua that this is my command: to be strong and courageous, 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:06.799 do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord, your God, 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:10.920 is with you wherever you go. So blessed is he who comes 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:13.549 in the name of the Lord today. And Father, we pray 00:01:13.549 --> 00:01:17.189 that you bless my dad and this Commission that they may 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:20.870 do the work as you would do. And may the Holy Spirit 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:23.859 fill their hearts and direct their decisions. 00:01:24.540 --> 00:01:27.569 It is in your name, Father God, we give praise and thanks. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:32.040 Amen. 00:01:32.040 --> 00:01:35.010 Thank you very much. Please remain standing. Sorry. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:38.450 We'll now have Chairman Christi Craddick lead 00:01:38.450 --> 00:01:42.739 us in the Pledge of the United States of America. 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:45.219 Thank you, Jeremy And it's an honor to be here today, 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:47.950 and with Jim and his family. And we look forward to 00:01:47.950 --> 00:01:51.480 working with you. So let's say the Pledge. I pledge 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:55.349 allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:59.870 and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, 00:01:59.879 --> 00:02:04.010 under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for 00:02:04.010 --> 00:02:07.340 all. Everybody stay standing. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:08.844 Next, to lead us in the 00:02:08.856 --> 00:02:10.409 pledge to the Texas flag, is Commissioner 00:02:10.409 --> 00:02:11.187 Wayne Christian. 00:02:11.211 --> 00:02:14.030 And again, I join Chairman Craddick 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:16.750 in welcoming Jim and saying how honored we are to have 00:02:16.750 --> 00:02:19.710 a good man. And he even is good enough, he and, it 00:02:19.710 --> 00:02:22.349 must be from his wife, that he has a pastor as a 00:02:22.349 --> 00:02:26.159 son. I mean, that's... Join me in the pledge of the 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:30.659 Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance 00:02:30.669 --> 00:02:35.349 to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible. 00:02:37.539 --> 00:02:43.639 Now you can be seated. 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:47.870 Since its establishment in 1891, 50 individuals have 00:02:47.870 --> 00:02:50.490 served as a Commissioner on the Railroad Commission 00:02:50.490 --> 00:02:53.610 of Texas. Mr Wright has the distinction of being our 00:02:53.610 --> 00:02:57.389 51st Railroad Commissioner. Before we officially swear 00:02:57.389 --> 00:02:59.830 him into office this morning, I'd like to share a little 00:02:59.830 --> 00:03:02.800 bit of background about Mr Wright. He's born 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:05.590 and raised in South Texas, and he's a fifth generation 00:03:05.590 --> 00:03:10.150 family rancher in the South Texas area. He began his work 00:03:10.150 --> 00:03:13.300 in the Texas energy industry at the age of 19 and has 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:16.580 used his hand on experience to create a group of environmental 00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:19.169 service companies that currently serve Texas energy 00:03:19.169 --> 00:03:22.449 sector. He has a strong record of community service 00:03:22.449 --> 00:03:25.310 and involvement. Towards that end, he served as a Board 00:03:25.310 --> 00:03:28.379 member for the Costova Coastal Bend and on the Board 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:31.479 of the Robstown Area Development 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:34.469 Commission. I'm also proud to say that the Railroad 00:03:34.469 --> 00:03:37.550 Commission is not his first rodeo. He has rode bulls 00:03:37.550 --> 00:03:40.120 competitively for more than 20 years and was a member 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:43.409 of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. Swearing 00:03:43.409 --> 00:03:45.810 in Commissioner Wright today will be Texas Supreme Court 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:48.979 Justice Eva Guzman. Justice Guzman was appointed to 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:52.439 the Supreme Court in 2009 by Governor Rick Perry, and 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:56.270 she was elected to a full term in 2010. And then she 00:03:56.270 --> 00:03:58.340 was subsequently re-elected to the Supreme Court in 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:02.099 2016. She has a distinguished record of legal and public 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:04.250 service, and we're honored to have her here today. 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:07.699 Justice Guzman, please lead us in the swear in of Commissioner 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:11.139 Wright. 00:04:11.139 --> 00:04:14.219 Good morning. I'm so honored and privileged to join 00:04:14.229 --> 00:04:18.670 Commissioner Wright and Sherry and his family. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:22.779 I am a longtime advocate of children in the child welfare 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:26.360 system. And when I read that you have been on the CASA 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:29.709 Board, that just speaks volumes about your commitment 00:04:29.709 --> 00:04:32.920 to family and to our most vulnerable. So thank you 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:35.410 so much. Commissioner Christian it's great to be here. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:40.639 And are you ready? 00:04:45.589 --> 00:04:47.589 If you'll raise your right hand. 00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:53.330 I, state your name. I, state your name. 00:04:53.354 --> 00:04:54.630 I, Jim Wright. 00:04:54.654 --> 00:04:55.816 Do solemnly swear 00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:56.804 Do solemnly swear 00:04:56.828 --> 00:04:58.512 that I will faithfully execute 00:04:58.536 --> 00:04:59.500 that I will faithfully 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:02.010 execute the duties of the office 00:05:02.034 --> 00:05:03.615 The duties of the office 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:07.699 of the 51st Railroad Commissioner of the state 00:05:07.709 --> 00:05:08.510 of Texas 00:05:08.534 --> 00:05:10.930 the 51st Railroad Commissioner of the State 00:05:10.930 --> 00:05:11.442 of Texas 00:05:11.466 --> 00:05:13.452 and will to the best of my ability 00:05:13.476 --> 00:05:13.870 and will 00:05:13.870 --> 00:05:15.039 to the best my ability 00:05:15.063 --> 00:05:17.160 preserve, protect and defend 00:05:17.184 --> 00:05:18.711 preserve protect and defend 00:05:18.735 --> 00:05:20.196 the Constitution and laws 00:05:20.220 --> 00:05:21.850 the Constitution and laws 00:05:21.874 --> 00:05:23.330 of the United States 00:05:23.354 --> 00:05:24.730 of the United States 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:25.783 and of this state 00:05:25.807 --> 00:05:26.892 and of this state. 00:05:26.916 --> 00:05:27.852 So help me God 00:05:27.876 --> 00:05:28.782 so help me God 00:05:28.806 --> 00:05:29.697 Congratulations. 00:05:29.721 --> 00:05:33.139 Thank you. 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:40.629 Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Commissioner 00:05:40.629 --> 00:05:46.139 Jim Wright to the Railroad Commission. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:56.290 Commissioner, on behalf of the 848 employees of the 00:05:56.290 --> 00:05:58.569 Railroad Commission, we're honored to have you here. 00:05:58.569 --> 00:06:00.899 Welcome to the team. Welcome to the family. We look 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:03.560 forward to working with you and and for you in service 00:06:03.569 --> 00:06:05.839 all Texans. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:07.337 Thank you so 00:06:07.349 --> 00:06:09.069 much, Jeremy. I appreciate that. I'd like 00:06:09.069 --> 00:06:11.800 to say, because Luke looked at me with a with a kind 00:06:11.800 --> 00:06:14.480 of a strange face when he was announced as a pastor. 00:06:14.490 --> 00:06:17.759 Lukes is not a pastor. Luke fills in at Rodeo Cowboy 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:20.879 Churches for other pastors whenever they need a vacation 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:24.040 or they're sick. So I just wanted to clarify that first. 00:06:24.050 --> 00:06:28.610 So now you don't have to frown at me. You know, I would 00:06:28.610 --> 00:06:31.750 like to start by saying thank you to my wife and family. 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:35.660 Those that worked diligently to assist in making my 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:40.329 campaign successful and to all of you who not only 00:06:40.329 --> 00:06:43.879 supported my bid but who turned out at the polls and 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:47.420 cast their ballot for my success. 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:50.389 I would also like to thank the honorable Justice Eva 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:54.910 Guzman for making the time today of swearing me in. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:59.029 Thank you so much. I would like to ask my family that 00:06:59.029 --> 00:07:02.610 are here today either stand or wave to be recognized. 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:05.639 So please stand. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:08.310 Okay. 00:07:08.310 --> 00:07:12.550 Thank you. Thank you. All I want to say, with all my 00:07:12.550 --> 00:07:16.350 being allows, for the sacrifices made in getting me 00:07:16.350 --> 00:07:20.040 here and for those to come as I strive to do my 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:22.610 part here on the Commission to ensure our state's natural 00:07:22.610 --> 00:07:25.279 resources continue to provide an immense economic 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:29.670 benefit for Texans. This transition into my role as 00:07:29.670 --> 00:07:32.220 one of the three standing Commissioners has been such 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:36.560 a delight as all of the folks here working at the Railroad 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:41.250 Commission have been very helpful in making a really 00:07:41.250 --> 00:07:44.850 smooth transition. Since since the election, you 00:07:44.850 --> 00:07:47.290 guys have done a wonderful job. Thank you all so much. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:53.470 Appreciate that. I'd like to also recognize the persons 00:07:53.470 --> 00:07:56.810 that that are coming in to assist me in my role as 00:07:56.810 --> 00:07:59.170 a Railroad Commissioner, and I'd like to recognize 00:07:59.170 --> 00:08:03.399 them. Providing public relations is Miss Kate Szarkowski. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:06.800 Kate, could you please stand and be recognized, wherever 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:12.389 she's at? It's an honor to have Kate joining 00:08:12.389 --> 00:08:14.500 the Commission, in her part, to be a public relations 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:18.250 liasion between my office, the RRC staff and the general 00:08:18.250 --> 00:08:20.639 public. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:23.850 Kate has an immense amount of experience, having served 00:08:23.850 --> 00:08:26.680 for folks not only in the political arena here in Texas 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:30.740 but also in Washington as well. Recently she served 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:33.450 as director of public affairs for Parsely Energy 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:36.669 in where she gained a vast knowledge of the energy 00:08:36.669 --> 00:08:39.570 industry that we here at the Commission regulate. 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:42.629 Thank you, Kate, for being here. Thank you for joining 00:08:42.629 --> 00:08:50.049 my team. Next, I want to recognize Mr Christopher 00:08:50.049 --> 00:08:52.830 Hodgkins who will be guiding me through all the 00:08:52.830 --> 00:08:56.059 legal aspects related to items addressed before the Commission. 00:08:57.129 --> 00:09:00.389 Mr. Hoskins graduated from st. Mary School of Law and 00:09:00.389 --> 00:09:03.110 has been practicing law within the energy sector for 00:09:03.110 --> 00:09:07.289 15 years. Additionally, Mr Hodgkins formally served 00:09:07.289 --> 00:09:09.919 the Commission as an administrative hearing examiner 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:13.870 and did so for nine years. His knowledge and experiences 00:09:13.870 --> 00:09:16.129 will be a great attributes for the Commission and the 00:09:16.129 --> 00:09:18.639 people of Texas. Christopher, will you please stand and be 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:24.190 recognized. 00:09:24.190 --> 00:09:28.370 My third team member is Miss Meghan Moore. Miss Moore might have 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:31.519 the hardest job keeping all of us organized on on track. 00:09:31.529 --> 00:09:35.289 Trust me, that is a hard one. She is eager to 00:09:35.289 --> 00:09:38.000 take on the task as my executive assistant and looks 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:41.919 forward to working with all of us. Miss Moore, will 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:48.039 you please stand and be recognized? 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:50.179 And I'm really excited to have all of my colleagues 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:53.100 here today. I appreciate you all being here and thank 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:55.600 you all so very much. I know it's a tough time, and 00:09:55.610 --> 00:09:59.269 I think every time we step out the door, it's a risk. Mr 00:09:59.269 --> 00:10:02.100 Wayne Christian and Chairman Christi Craddick are the 00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:04.809 real deal when it comes to regulating an industry that 00:10:04.809 --> 00:10:07.899 has such a huge impact on all that reside in or work 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:11.769 here in Texas. Both have made such an impact on me as 00:10:11.769 --> 00:10:15.539 I went through this process. As we move forward in 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:18.669 our roles as Commissioners, I know Texans and the rest 00:10:18.669 --> 00:10:20.700 of the world will see that the three of us share the 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:23.970 sincere desire to continuously improve our state's 00:10:23.970 --> 00:10:28.299 environment and economic stability. Texas is blessed 00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:31.700 with vast natural resources that provide 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:35.360 safe, reliable and economic benefit for all who reside 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:40.240 within our state. We're not lead, we are not only 00:10:40.409 --> 00:10:43.440 leading the nation and energy production, but among 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:46.990 the top energy powers when it comes to producing economically 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:51.649 and viable energy. Texas has a unique ability to provide 00:10:51.649 --> 00:10:55.509 consumers, our state and the nation, with reliable energy 00:10:55.509 --> 00:10:57.990 while decreasing our dependency on foreign sources. 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:03.350 It's no secret today that fossil fuels are 00:11:03.350 --> 00:11:07.149 being blamed sometimes solely for global climate change. 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:11.389 These attacks on resources that keep our energy cost 00:11:11.389 --> 00:11:14.679 reliable and our truthfully less environmentally impactful 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:17.440 than today's renewable sources at scale. This is a 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:20.049 major challenge for us to address in the coming future. 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:24.549 Our goal is to provide Texans with facts and not fictions. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:28.480 Texas Energy Resources, including fossil fuels, will 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:32.529 continue to provide reliable energy and economic prosperity 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:36.850 for generations to come. Our state's superiority in 00:11:36.850 --> 00:11:40.110 multiple forms of energy equates directly to our 00:11:40.110 --> 00:11:42.830 greatness and to the freedom to safely cultivate these 00:11:42.830 --> 00:11:46.610 resources is not selfish, it is what makes Texas the 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:50.039 greatest state in the nation. Our state that has the 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:54.840 ability to compete globally. I look forward to designing 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:57.980 and implementing plans that include input from the 00:11:57.980 --> 00:12:01.809 people of Texas, our landowners and the folks within 00:12:01.809 --> 00:12:04.710 the energy industry, to improve our ability in cultivating 00:12:04.710 --> 00:12:07.879 our natural resources my life has been rolling up 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:11.559 my sleeves and working hard, and it's all that I know. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:17.289 I am ready and excited to be working for the people 00:12:17.289 --> 00:12:20.460 of Texas. And that commitment to hard work and success 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:22.840 for all of us will continue, not only through my term 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:25.690 as one of the three Railroad Commissioners, but until 00:12:25.690 --> 00:12:29.419 my dying breath. God bless you all. And thank you for 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:33.600 being here today. It's my honor to formally adjourn 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:36.549 this first public meeting of the Texas Railroad Commission 00:12:36.549 --> 00:12:43.639 in 2021. Thank you all again.