RRC Accepting Applications for Membership in Petroleum Theft Task Force

AUSTIN – To help combat a critical criminal issue in the Texas energy industry – the theft of petroleum products – the Railroad Commission is now accepting applications for membership in the State Taskforce on Petroleum Theft (STOPTHEFT).

The task force was created in Senate Bill 494 passed by the 89th Legislature, with the aim to study and make recommendations related to preventing petroleum theft.

SB 494 requires that the task force must include at least one representative from the oil and gas industry; at least one representative from an energy trade association; and representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The legislation lays out the task force’s duties which include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing product theft laws and regulations in other U.S. jurisdictions as well as international laws;
• Analyzing the impact of theft on state tax collections and long-term economic impacts;
• Making recommendations on law enforcement training to combat petroleum product theft; and
• Preparing a report to submit to the Governor and the Legislature.

An announcement with the application, submittal information and deadline is on the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/announcements/090225-rrc-accepting-applications-for-stoptheft/.