Dear Editor,
On behalf of Judd Foundation, I would like to celebrate the hard work and dedication of Nicki Ittner and the entire team which keeps the Marfa Public Library open to our community. Through their work Judd Foundation is honored to have launched a physical resource of a selection of Don’s books found in the library at the Block.
Now at Marfa Public Library, you can reserve a copy of more than 200 books from their catalog which are also found in Don’s library. This initiative is the result of a yearlong effort of research and collaboration of the Marfa Public Library small but mighty staff. Thank you to Nicki and Kim Soto, Jasmin Pineda and Luann Williamson.
These books will be housed in the front of the library on a dedicated shelf for members to check out. Beginning this month, 20 copies of one book will be made available for members to take home, keep, and add to their own personal library. This project, and many of our free public programs, has been supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Books are the driving force behind one of our community’s most important institutions. As a proud member of the Marfa Public Library since the third grade, I am so grateful to the team behind it for nurturing generations of readers and creating a space for our community to come together in readership.
With thanks,
Rainer Judd
President
Dear Editor,
Trey Gerfers’ January 30 opinion, “Our Water Matters: Holding the Railroad Commission accountable,” is quick to criticize the Railroad Commission but fails to acknowledge the agency’s significant work protecting public health and the environment from West Texas to all corners of the state.
The Commission, which predates a number of federal agencies that collectively share oversight of the oil and natural gas industry — including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior — has the herculean task of regulating one of the largest natural resource industries in the world and has done so for more than a century.
Despite these challenges, we have been able to provide substantial empirical evidence showing the positive impact and effectiveness of the agency’s work. For example, the flaring rate in Texas has significantly declined over the past five years. Our divisions have successfully overseen the cleanup of abandoned sites, and our industry-funded State Managed Well Plugging Program consistently exceeds high performance standards set by elected legislators. Additionally, we have leveraged technology to enhance transparency by making millions of vital documents readily accessible online to the public.
Recognizing the need for continued progress, we have also sought additional support, recently requesting $100 million in legislative funding to address emergency and high-cost high priority well plugging efforts.
These are just a few examples of the Commission’s commitment to being one of the most effective regulatory agencies in the world.
While our primary responsibility is to ensure the responsible development of Texas’s natural resources while safeguarding the environment, we cannot fail to acknowledge the oil and gas industry’s role in supporting the state’s economy. The industry contributes billions of dollars annually to the state budget, directly benefiting all taxpayers. As such, it is true that there is a “balance to be struck” between environmental protection and economic sustainability.
Through continuous monitoring, inspections and daily operations, the RRC minimizes risks to public health and safety. Despite what skeptics say, your readers should be aware that more than 1,000 employees at the RRC work tirelessly with one goal in mind — safeguarding Texas residents and the environment in the communities they live in.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Jim Wright
Railroad Commission of Texas