September Energy News by Railroad Commission of Texas

SEPTEMBER 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Letter from the RRC

Commissioner Christi Craddick Elected Chairman of the RRC

RRC Announces New Oil and Gas Director

RRC and Texas A&M Partner to Advance Fire Prevention Training for Oil and Gas Inspectors

RRC Inspectors Gain Specialized Electrical Training to Enhance Safety Oversight

Strengthening Winter Readiness in Texas

RRC Outreach: Engaging Communities Across Texas

New Monthly Listening Sessions

Texas Energy on Track

Commissioners’ Corner

Open Meeting

Stay Connected with the RRC

Oil and Gas Industry Resources

LETTER FROM THE RRC ENERGY NEWS Welcome to the September edition of Energy News. This month, the RRC continues its focus on leadership, safety initiatives and community engagement. Chairman Craddick was unanimously chosen by her fellow Commissioners to lead the agency, reinforcing the Commission’s dedication to strong and steady leadership. New partnerships with Texas A&M to advance fire prevention training, along with specialized electrical training for inspectors, highlight the RRC’s dedication to enhancing safety oversight in the oil and gas industry. At the same time, RRC outreach initiatives are engaging communities across Texas, expanding transparency and accessibility. The launch of monthly Listening Sessions, now available both in person and virtually, further strengthens opportunities for Texans to share their perspectives and learn more about the Commission’s regulatory work.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Commissioner Christi Craddick Elected Chairman of the RRC RRC Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Christi Craddick to serve as Chairman of the three-member Commission, reaffirming her leadership of the state’s oldest regulatory agency and one of the nation’s most influential energy regulators. “I am deeply honored by the confidence my fellow Commissioners have placed in me,” Chairman Christi Craddick said. “Texas is the energy capital of the world because of the hardworking men and women who produce the resources that fuel our economy, power our communities, and strengthen our national security. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my fellow Commissioners to ensure the RRC remains a fair, effective, and transparent regulator while protecting public safety and the environment.” “I congratulate Commissioner Christi Craddick on her election as Chairman of the RRC,” said Commissioner Wayne Christian. “Her prior experience as Chairman will serve the agency well as we continue to improve agency efficiency, protect Texas’ natural resources, advance energy abundance and support Texas jobs.” “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Chairman of the RRC over the past year, and as my tenure comes to an end, I know the RRC will be in good hands under the leadership of Chairman Craddick,” said Commissioner Jim Wright. “Commissioner

Craddick has a long and proven record of capably leading the RRC as Chairman. Her leadership since joining the Commission has played an important role in the resurgence of Texas energy dominance. I congratulate her on her election as Chairman of the RRC and look forward to working together to ensure Texas remains a global leader in energy production.” As Chairman, Craddick will continue leading the Commission as it oversees Texas’ oil and natural gas industry, pipeline safety, natural gas utilities, critical energy infrastructure and the state’s surface coal and uranium mining operations. The Commission regulates an industry that supports millions of jobs, generates billions in state and local tax revenue and plays a vital role in meeting the nation’s growing energy needs. Since first being elected statewide in 2012, Craddick has focused on strengthening the agency by modernizing its operations, enhancing transparency and ensuring Texas maintains a predictable regulatory framework that encourages responsible energy development. During her tenure, the Commission has made significant investments in technology modernization, expanded efforts to address orphaned wells and continued to implement legislative priorities to improve efficiency and accountability. The RRC, established in 1891, is the state’s oldest regulatory agency and has primary regulatory authority over the exploration, production and transportation of oil and natural gas, pipeline safety, natural gas utilities and surface mining operations throughout Texas.

RRC Announces New Oil and Gas Director The RRC is pleased to announce that David Lindley has been named the new director of the Commission’s Oil and Gas Division. The division oversees Texas’ oil and natural gas exploration and production activities and enforces compliance with Commission rules designed to protect public safety, conserve natural resources and prevent waste. With 10 district offices across the state, the division’s core responsibilities include meeting permitting and reporting requirements; conducting field inspections, testing programs and monitoring industry activities in the field; and administering programs to remediate abandoned wells and sites, funded by fees and taxes paid by industry. As Director of Oil and Gas, he will guide the division’s strategic direction and work closely with staff to strengthen operations, support employees and advance the agency’s mission. His knowledge of the division, combined with his extensive background in regulatory compliance, leading field operations and overseeing complex projects, will be invaluable to the Commission in the new role. Lindley most recently served as the Assistant Director of Field Operations within the Oil and Gas Division, giving him a deep understanding of the Commission’s operations and programs, as well as the vital work RRC employees perform each day. He holds a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and brings nearly three decades of experience in oil and gas production, operations and engineering, with expertise across major U.S. oil and gas fields.

RRC and Texas A&M Partner to Advance Fire Prevention Training for Oil and Gas Inspectors In August, Executive Director Wei Wang welcomed RRC inspectors to the Austin headquarters for training on advanced fire prevention and electrical safety codes. To enhance inspector expertise and ensure safer field operations, the RRC has partnered with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to introduce a new fire-prevention training program. This initiative is designed to equip oil and gas inspectors with practical skills to identify and mitigate wildfire risks and electrical hazards. Thirty RRC oil and gas field inspectors from across the state attended the inaugural Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) course in Austin, August 3-4. In addition to RRC’s internal training

implemented last year, this class provided inspectors with hands-on instruction in evaluating the operation and maintenance of electrical power lines at well sites and other oil and gas production facilities, further expanding their technical expertise in field safety and compliance. The ET&D program provides participants with essential, lifesaving instructions to increase awareness of the factors that contribute to injuries among electric utility personnel and to reinforce best practices for reducing those hazards. The 10-hour course delivers comprehensive training in electrical safety principles and hazard recognition, aligned with OSHA requirements. Upon 6

successful completion, participants earn their OSHA 10-hour card with a specialized ET&D endorsement, underscoring their advanced competency in electrical safety.

This course provides additional training to support enforcement of 16 Texas Administrative Code § 21(l), which requires that the operation and maintenance of electrical power lines by oil and gas operators comply with the National Electrical Code. The development of this course responds to the heightened awareness of this issue, as reflected by the passage of House Bill 143 in the 89th Texas Legislative Session.

“Preventing wildfires starts with proactive, informed inspection in the field and our partnership with Texas A&M allows us to provide essential, life-saving training to our inspectors,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive Director. “This effort highlights our strong commitment to protect- This collaborative training will enhance ing communities and natural resources enforcement of these requirements by throughout Texas, while also enhancing RRC inspectors. the responsible oversight that strengthens our state’s energy sector.”

RRC Inspectors Gain Specialized Electrical Awareness Training to Enhance SafetyOversight

Advancing the Commission’s efforts to broaden inspectors’ expertise in electrical safety to support wildfire prevention, a first group of fourteen inspectors from the RRC’s Oil and Gas Division attended Electrical Power Awareness Training at the Quanta Advanced Training Center in La Grange from August 17–20. The program builds on recent Commission initiatives by providing specialized instruction designed to strengthen technical knowledge and equip inspectors to better identify and mitigate wildfire risks in the field. Quanta Services is a premier infrastructure solution services company providing engineering, construction and training to design, build and maintain transmission lines, substations and distribution networks for the electric power industry. During the training, inspectors received instruction in electrical fundamentals and theory, including reading and interpreting electrical schematics, safety and hazard prevention, and testing and troubleshooting practices. The curriculum also incorporated oil and gas specific modules to address issues inspectors may encounter in the field. “Collaborating with electrical infrastructure experts gives our inspectors firsthand operational insight and practical knowledge to mitigate wildfire risk,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive Director. “By leveraging their deep industry experience, we are strengthening our regulatory oversight to safeguard Texas communities and keep the state’s energy infrastructure running safely.” Over the next nine months, the Commission plans to send more than 120 inspectors through the Quanta Advanced Training Center as part of its ongoing work to address risks posed by improperly maintained electrical power lines at well sites. This course provides additional training to support the enforcement of 16 Texas Administrative Code § 21(l), which requires that the operation and maintenance of electrical power lines by oil and gas operators comply with the National Electrical Code. The development of this course responds to the heightened awareness of this issue, as reflected by the passage of House Bill 143 and House Bill 2663 in the 89th Texas Legislative Session.

Strengthening Winter Readiness in Texas Texas Reliability Entity’s (Texas RE) 2026 Winter Weatherization Workshop brought together leaders from across the energy sector for a virtual program focused on strengthening winter preparedness and reliability across the Texas Interconnection. The event featured representatives from the RRC, the Texas Department of Emergency Management, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Oncor and other key organizations, underscoring the broad collaboration required to address extreme weather risks.

Uri continue to shape statewide preparedness efforts and highlighted the critical roles of weatherization, communication and emergency coordination in maintaining gas reliability during severe weather. His remarks also highlighted Texas’ rapid growth in energy demand and the increasing importance of coordination among industry, regulators and operators to ensure system resilience. The RRC appreciates Texas RE for hosting this informative workshop and for including the agency in the discussion. The event underscored the importance of continued collaboration across the industry to strengthen preparedness and reliability for future winter events.

During the Gas-Electric Coordination Panel, the Field Operations Director for the Critical Infrastructure Division shared insights into the growing interconnectedness of Texas’ natural gas and electric systems. He emphasized that lessons learned from Winter Storm 10

and the Commission’s three member RRC Outreach: Engaging appropriations leadership structure. Even in communities with deep historical ties to Texas energy development, attendCommunities Across ees welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the RRC’s current regulatory role. Texas The RRC continues its statewide outreach, meeting Texans where they are and providing clear, accessible information on the agency’s regulatory responsibilities. Over the past month, RRC staff have participated in events across the state, connecting directly with local leaders, educators, industry stakeholders and community members. Staff from the RRC’s Office of Public Engagement (OPE) participated in the North and East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference, meeting with county judges, commissioners and local government personnel. They addressed questions related to RRC jurisdiction, oil and gas regulation, pipeline safety, alternative fuels and available public resources. These conversations help ensure that county officials have accurate information about the Commission’s regulatory responsibilities and the services available to support their communities.

RRC pipeline safety personnel participated in the Marine Infrastructure Safety and Stakeholder Workshop in Ellington, joining a panel focused on Texas laws, 811 requirements and marine damage prevention. Staff provided an overview of the Pipeline Safety Department and the Damage Prevention Program, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to proactive education and collaboration with stakeholders in both land based and marine environments. The RRC remains dedicated to meeting Texans where they are—whether in classrooms, community organizations, county meetings or industry workshops. These outreach efforts help ensure the public has direct access to reliable information and to knowledgeable experts who can address questions about the Commission’s work.

The RRC’s outreach team connected with more than 300 families during Homeschool Day at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney. Staff distributed free educational materials and engaged students with hands on learning tools, including the RRC’s “Hydrocarbons Board” activity, which highlights the everyday products made possible by oil and gas. OPE staff also met with members of several Rotary Clubs across North Texas to answer questions on topics such as injection well regulation, legislative

g n i n Liste s n o i Sess STAND R E D N U C THE RR

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New Monthly Listening Sessions Thank you to everyone who has participated in our Listening Sessions so far. Beginning September 15, the RRC is expanding these sessions to offer both in‑person and virtual participation. These hybrid sessions give the public another opportunity to learn more about the RRC’s work and share their perspectives on the agency’s regulatory oversight. They are part of the RRC’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accessibility and public engagement. Organized by the Office of Public Engagement, each session includes a brief overview of the Commission’s regulatory functions, followed by an opportunity for participants to provide comments and ask questions. These questions and comments are addressed in real time by RRC subject‑matter experts, fostering an open dialogue with community members. Registration is required to participate, whether in person or virtually, and to comment. For more information and to register, visit the link below.

Episode 25: It’s 811 Day In this episode of Texas Energy on Track, host Bryce Dubee and co-host Nick Kraynok talk with Ricardo Gamez, a Compliance Analyst with Pipeline Damage Prevention, to mark August 11th - National 811 Day! The discussion covers all things excavation - including what operators, contractors and landowners need to know before digging to help protect underground gas and utility lines.

Episode 26: Brownfields Response Program Host Bryce Dubee and co-host Nick Kraynok sit down with Dr. Andrea Piñon, Team Lead for the RRC Brownfields Response Program and the Voluntary Cleanup Program, for this episode of Texas Energy on Track. The discussion covers what a brownfield is, how to apply for assistance, outreach initiatives and more!

COMMISSIONERS’ CORNER CHAIRMAN CRADDICK During the August open meeting, the Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Christi Craddick to serve as Chairman of the three-member Commission, reaffirming her leadership of the state’s oldest regulatory agency and one of the nation’s most influential energy regulators.

and women who produce the resources that fuel our economy, power our communities, and strengthen our national security. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my fellow Commissioners to ensure the RRC remains a fair, effective, and transparent regulator while protecting public safety and the environment.”

“I am deeply honored by the confidence my fellow Commissioners have placed in me. Texas is the energy capital of the world because of the hardworking men

COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN In August, Commissioner Wayne Christian joined U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Congressman August Pfluger, and other state and energy leaders in Midland, Texas, for the Great American Energy Comeback Tour. The event celebrated the resurgence of Texas and American oil and natural gas production while highlighting the Permian Basin’s critical role in strengthening American energy security and driving our nation’s economic prosperity. Christian also joined the Crude Truth and Data Center Revolution podcasts to discuss the future of Texas’ energy industry and the growing intersection of energy policy and the state’s data center debate. He emphasized the importance of reliable thermal power generation and highlighted treated produced water as a potential solution for the oil and gas industry for responsible data center development, as Texas continues to attract new investment, technological innovation and energy-intensive industries. Christian also moderated the “Data Centers in Texas: Power, Policy, and Prosperity” panel at the TIE Forum in Austin, hosted by the Digital Infrastructure Network. The panel brought together industry leaders for a timely discussion on how Texas can responsibly support the rapid growth of data centers. The conversation focused on how the industry can better

communicate the need for this vital infrastructure and its benefits to Texas communities, including jobs and significant tax revenue, while addressing growing public skepticism. Panelists also discussed the reliable power and infrastructure needed to support continued growth.

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Don’t miss the Railroad Commission of Texas’ Brownfields Response Program Workshop