Commissioner Ryan Sitton Says Offshore Energy Development is Key to Global Energy Dominance

AUSTIN — Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton stressed the importance of energy exploration, leasing and development in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). As an energy regulator in the No. 1 energy-producing state, Sitton urged the BOEM to include all 26 OCS planning areas in the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas (OCS) Leasing Program.

Whereas the U.S. was at an enormous disadvantage under the Obama Administration – which barred 94 percent of the Outer Continental Shelf from development – the current federal administration understands the tremendous opportunity before the U.S. to safely and responsibly develop our natural resources, and use those resources to become a global energy powerhouse once again.

“Before being elected to office, I was blessed to have started and grown a business, and created hundreds of jobs. As an entrepreneur, it is clear to me that tapping into these recoverable reserves makes perfect economic and business sense for our nation,” Sitton wrote.

“To enhance America’s economic and national security interests, we need to responsibly develop ALL energy sources. A robust OCS Leasing Program is key to unlocking important reserves that will create jobs, provide huge economic benefits and keep America safe.”

Ryan Sitton was elected to the Railroad Commission in 2014 and is the first engineer to serve on the Commission in 50 years. Sitton is one of the world’s leading energy experts and founded PinnacleART, an engineering and technology company focused on reliability and integrity programs for the oil, gas, and petrochemical, mining, pharmaceutical, and wastewater industries. As Railroad Commissioner, Sitton uses his technical expertise and business experience to make decisions for the state that are based on sound science and employs a fiscally conservative approach to prioritize the agency’s efforts.