Railroad Commission Launches New Website

AUSTIN—The Railroad Commission of Texas has launched its new website to make online resources for the regulation of the oil and gas industry and other Commission-regulated industries more user friendly. You can view the new website at http://www.rrc.texas.gov.

Chairman Barry Smitherman said, “The new website is the final product of the Commission taking input last September from stakeholders on three different proposed designs. This final design is a blend of the different characteristics most favored by those who filled out surveys on the three options provided.”

Commissioner David Porter said, “The new website is part of Phase 1 of our IT modernization that we hope will ultimately result in stakeholders and the public having greater ease and access to our agency’s data, which includes everything from Texas oil and gas production statistics to drilling permits.”

Commissioner Christi Craddick said, “While we are the oldest regulatory agency in the state, we must keep pace with advancements within the industry we regulate, and the Commission’s website redesign will help us to do just that. In the second phase of our IT overhaul, we will be migrating content from the old website to the new site, and ask that everyone be patient until the new site is fully up and running.”

Features of the new website include:

• An index of pages organized by industry: “Oil & Gas,” “Gas Services,” “Pipeline Safety,” “Mining & Exploration,” and “Alternative Fuels”;
• Audience-specific web pages for consumers, land and mineral owners and media;
• A “Resource Center” web page under “About Us” that allows users to find the most commonly used Commission resources and services, including online research queries, GIS map viewer and frequently asked questions;
• A “Calendar of Events” on the home page listing all events, training and certifications hosted by the Commission; and
• A responsive design that allows users to view the Commission’s website on smartphones and tablets.

During 2015, the Commission plans additional improvements to the new website including: offering information through mapping interfaces (GIS); consolidating many queries related to oil and gas production data and drilling permit information available on the Online Research Queries web page; releasing an improved RRC Online application for users to submit required regulatory filings online; and making available additional online filings through RRC Online.

The Commission’s previous website will be available to the public at http://www.old.rrc.state.tx.us until July 1, 2014. Please note that this website’s web content will not be updated.

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About the Railroad Commission

Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 90 years regulating the oil and gas industry. Additionally, the Commission promotes research and education on the use of alternative fuels and has jurisdiction over gas utility, surface mining and pipeline industries. Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. To learn more, please visit http://www.rrc.texas.gov.