Please Welcome Buddy Garcia to the Railroad Commission of Texas

Photo courtesy of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Buddy Garcia is Rick Perry's latest appointment to the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees oil and gas drilling in the state.

Buddy Garcia, most recently of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has been appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees oil and gas drilling in the state. His term will expire this November, when he’ll have to run for his seat on the commission if he wishes to keep it.

Garcia takes the seat of Elizabeth Ames Jones, who resigned from the commission in February to run for the Texas Senate. Jones had come under fire for moving to San Antonio to run for the senate, as rules require Railroad commissioners to live in the state capital.

(The Railroad Commission of Texas is something of a misnomer as it no longer has anything to do with railroads. You can read some background here.)

In a press release from the governor’s office, Garcia is noted as being “a member of the Texas Coastal Land Advisory Board and Gulf of Mexico Alliance, an ex-officio member of the Texas Water Foundation, and co-chair of the America’s Wetland Foundation Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities Effort.” And also for being a Little League coach.

UPDATE: Garcia released a statement early Friday morning through the TCEQ on his new appointment:

“I would like to thank Governor Perry for this interim appointment to the Railroad Commission of Texas. I have always been motivated by producing results for the citizens of the state of Texas, and I am honored to have this opportunity.

During the last five years as TCEQ commissioner, I have been privileged to work with incredibly talented and capable individuals dedicated to protecting all Texans. I am proud of all we have accomplished.

While I will not be seeking election to the Railroad Commission, I know there is still much to be done at the agency and look forward to working with Chairman Smitherman and Commissioner Porter.”

You can read more about the Railroad Commission at our topic page.