Associations representing oil companies in Texas said they would welcome Jon Rosenthal to work with the industry as he pursues tougher regulation. Rosenthal, a Cypress Democrat and state representative, won the Texas Railroad Commission seat. His policy proposals include banning the practice of burning excess gas into the atmosphere, charging fees for disposing of industrial wastewater, and raising salaries for commission employees.
Bo French, Rosenthal's opponent in the race, said Rosenthal was a threat to Texas oil and gas. 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 it is the first Democrat to hold a seat on the commission in more than 30 years, and said the Texas oil and gas industry 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 GOP control of every seat, the story said.