Below are the unedited responses from Chrysta Castañeda to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Castañeda is a Democratic candidate for Railroad Commissioner.
Please note: Questions from the Pioneer are in italics and the candidate’s responses are in standard type.
Castaneda/Photo by Campaign
What is your occupation?
Attorney
What is your age?
56
What is your educational background? Please list any degrees earned, and institutions attended. You may also list any professional certifications.
B.S. Industrial Engineering 1985, Kansas State University; J.D. cum laude 1991 SMU School of Law; Applied Math major Harvard College 1981-83
Is this your first time running for office? If not, please list which offices you have sought or held in the past.
Democratic primary, 33rd Congressional District, 2012
If you have a website, Facebook, Twitter, or any other online campaign materials, please list the links below.
https://chrystafortexas.com/
https://www.instagram.com/chrystafortexas/
https://twitter.com/ChrystaForTexas
https://www.facebook.com/ChrystaForTexas
Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?
This is the most important environmental race in the country. If Texas were a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of oil. When the current Railroad Commission fails to enforce our environmental protections it comes with significant health and environmental consequences. A prime example is the lack of enforcement of 100-year-old laws against flaring -- the intentional lighting on fire of natural gas at the wellsite. Currently, companies flare enough natural gas across Texas to power the city of Houston. We could fix this by using currently available technology to convert that natural gas to power at wellsites. Flaring harms the environment and human health and is illegal without exception permits, which are perpetually granted by the current commission. I have the industry knowledge and experience to get the Railroad Commission back on track.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
First, we should reduce the amount of flaring and fugitive emissions because they have significant effect on our health and air quality. If producers can’t find more productive uses, at a minimum they could turn the natural gas they flare into electricity to power their wellsite operations or to sell excess electricity they produce to the grid. Recapture technologies are another appropriate alternative to flaring. Fugitive emissions -- those that escape from equipment, tanks, or elsewhere in the process -- are underreported and need to be better monitored and reduced. Second, we should cut water usage by increasing water recycling programs. Third, we need to address the bureaucratic challenges facing the Railroad Commission. Antiquated regulations and resources; a competition for qualified and experienced personnel; current Railroad Commissioners who refuse to enforce existing laws; and underfunding.
Would you support renaming the Railroad Commission? Please explain.
Yes. The legislature should rename the Railroad Commission to better reflect its duty to oversee oil and gas here in Texas. I would support a name like the Oil and Gas Commission or the Texas Energy Resource Commission.
The Legislature could consider empowering one or more commissions and agencies to develop a comprehensive energy plan, and it should include all potential energy sources: oil and gas, renewables, current electricity generators, and others. No one agency currently has power over the whole energy portfolio. The plan should focus on dependability and security. This commission or agency could be called the Texas Energy Commission.
Should any duties of the Railroad Commission be reformed? Please explain.
Bonding requirements for wells need to be updated to ensure Texans aren’t left covering the cost of an increasing back long of abandoned wells. These costs should easily be covered while the well is profitably producing.
Regulations and reporting guidelines need to be updated to ensure production and emission reports accurately reflect actual production and emissions. Methane and fugitive emissions should be reduced through a drone detection program. Greater enforcement should be taken against repeat and major violators. More information -- especially regarding safety, emissions, and violations -- should be available online and accessible by the public.
The Commission needs additional funding to allow improved enforcement, and to better retain staff.
How will you work to ensure constituents can actively communicate with you about the issues, if elected?
Outreach to our community is an important aspect of this job and I love meeting with constituents to hear their concerns. I will work to create and maintain a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity, prioritizes the interests of everyday Texans, and welcomes input from all directions. I would like to increase transparency at the Railroad Commission to allow citizens access to information that affects them and to hold industry more accountable.
Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, please list your PAC endorsements.
University Democrats at The University of Texas at Austin
Stonewall Austin Democrats
Stonewall Dallas Democrats
Preston Hollow Democrats
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support in your race?
I am the only Democratic candidate in the primary with over 30 years of experience working in and around the oil and gas industry. I am an engineer, oil and gas attorney, community organizer and mom with the head and heart to fight for what’s best for Texans. I know both the law and the business of oil and gas and will work tirelessly to get the Railroad Commission back on track in enforcing our environmental protections and safety regulations.