Oil and gas industry associations in Texas said they would welcome Jon Rosenthal, a Cypress Democrat and state representative, after he won a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. Rosenthal has proposed stricter rules, including a ban on burning off excess gas, fees for disposing of industrial wastewater, and higher salaries for commission employees.
Bo French, Rosenthal's opponent in the race, described him as a threat to Texas oil and gas, the story said. Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, pointed to Rosenthal's 25-year career as a mechanical engineer in the energy industry and his four terms in the state House. Shepperd said the industry had operated under Democratic leadership for more than 100 years.
Rosenthal will join two Republicans on the three-member commission, ending more than three decades of Republican control of every seat. Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, said commission actions require a majority, so the two remaining Republicans will keep significant influence. Rosenthal has also proposed banning donations from oil companies to commission candidates and publishing commissioners' calendars and meeting information.