Texas oil & gas leaders welcome Trump reversal of Biden policies

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

The leaders of the Texas oil and natural gas industry are expressing optimism about President Donald Trump’s visit to Texas.

Trump is expected to tout his economic and pro-energy policies at the Port of Corpus Christi, a major Gulf port for liquified natural gas exports and commerce hub.

Trump’s policy reversals are a welcome change from former President Joe Biden’s, they say, who took more than 200 actions against the industry, including canceling LNG export permits. Biden claimed LNG exports would increase domestic energy costs and worsen the “perilous impacts of methane,” claims The Center Square fact checked as false.

Despite these actions, the Texas oil and natural gas industry broke production and emissions reductions records for a number of reasons including extensive support from Gov. Greg Abbott, the state legislature, Railroad Commission, which regulates the industry, and a bipartisan congressional delegation. Trump’s cabinet members, including EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have been rolling back regulatory actions, expanding LNG authorizations and implementing new permitting reforms, The Center Square reported.

“Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we are seeing a clear shift toward energy dominance — from support for LNG exports and domestic production to a regulatory approach that respects state expertise and reins in federal overreach. That matters for Texas,” Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick told The Center Square.

“At the Railroad Commission, our mission is to ensure energy is produced safely, responsibly, and efficiently. When Washington recognizes state primacy and works collaboratively instead of imposing one-size-fits-all mandates, it strengthens our ability to do that job,” she said. “Texas leads the nation in oil and natural gas production. Our industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, funds our schools and infrastructure, and plays a critical role in national security. A pro-energy federal policy environment doesn’t just benefit producers — it benefits every Texas family.”

Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, agreed, telling The Center Square, “President Trump’s visit to Corpus Christi today underscores the fact that American energy dominance starts in Texas. The Lone Star State has reached a high-water mark in crude oil and natural gas production, benefitting American consumers by dramatically increasing supply and lowering prices at home, and exporting the remainder to allies and trading partners.

“A vast amount of energy exports move through the Port of Corpus Christi via substantial investments made by the oil and natural gas industry over the last decade. As a direct result of industry’s robust infrastructure of production, pipelines, processing and ports, the Coastal Bend is a global gateway for American energy, powering not just the state, but the world.”

He emphasized that “Even as companies adjust to lower prices and shifting market conditions, the Texas oil and natural gas industry employs hundreds of thousands of Texans across the value chain because of the industry’s regional breadth and diverse activities, from LNG exports to pipeline construction. With a favorable policy environment and a commitment to infrastructure development, our industry is well-positioned to continue providing the reliable, affordable energy that powers our modern way of life.”

Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), also noted that, “President Trump understands that Corpus Christi serves as a premier gateway for American energy exports. A stable and predictable regulatory environment is essential to sustain and expand these strengths and the build out of essential energy infrastructure. Continued progress on permitting reform remains vital. Streamlining approvals, eliminating unwarranted delays, and reducing excessive regulatory burdens facilitate ongoing investment in export terminals, pipelines, and related infrastructure. These measures ensure competitive and reliable access to global markets and reinforce Texas’s position as the nation’s leading producer and exporter of oil and natural gas.

“While we are experiencing some challenging market conditions, including a contraction in upstream employment due to lower commodity prices, many industry executives remain more bullish than some official forecasts, expressing confidence that demand will continue to outpace supply concerns in the medium to longer term. This optimism stems from expectations of sustained economic growth in non-OECD countries, resilient petro chemical and transportation needs, and potential underinvestment risks that could lead to structural tightness beyond the near-term surplus,” he told The Center Square.

“It’s essential that we continue to support a balanced approach from an energy policy and global supply/demand perspective to ensure that domestic producers can continue to provide access to reliable and affordable energy.”

Thure Cannon, president of the Texas Pipeline Association, agrees, telling The Center Square, “President Trump’s visit to Corpus Christi highlights the strategic importance of the Gulf Coast – particularly South Texas – in America’s energy supply chain. Corpus is central to U.S. LNG exports and refining, and those facilities depend on a reliable network of pipelines and infrastructure across Texas.

“While the current federal tone is supportive of domestic energy development, Texas pipeline companies make decisions based on market fundamentals – such as commodity prices, capital discipline and global demand. Moving forward, consistent permitting processes and coordination between state and federal regulators will be key to ensuring that Texas can maintain its leadership in energy production and exports, with the Texas pipeline market standing ready to assist in these efforts.”