Contrary to what its name implies, the Railroad Commission of Texas has no authority over railroads. Instead, the agency oversees oil and gas development, coal and uranium mining, and gas utility service in Texas, among other functions. Its mission is to serve Texas through stewardship of natural resources and the environment, concern for personal and community safety, and support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. Too often, the Commission has promoted accelerated development of oil and gas over all other parts of its mission – to the detriment of natural resources and the environment, safety, and economic vitality.
Commission Shift is educating and organizing a wide array of Texans to build support for changes at the Railroad Commission of Texas that improve the agency’s function, transparency, and accountability to people and places impacted by the oil and gas industry.
Commission Shift is a Texas-based public advocacy organization transforming our state oil and gas agency by working with and for the people of Texas to create pathways for shared governance.
A just world free from pollution.
State agencies should be ethical, proactive, transparent, accessible, and accountable to the people and places they serve.
Oil and gas workers, farmers and ranchers, neighbors of oil and gas development, students of Texas’ public schools, energy consumers, and the many others that are affected by the oil and gas industry in Texas deserve stability, safety, clean air, and clean water.
Landowners, mineral owners, and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, races, ethnicities, and geographies across Texas have a right to inform decisions that affect their lives.
The choices we make today will impact our families for generations to come. Decision-makers have a responsibility to manage change and to plan for the future.
Texas produces more oil and gas than any other state in the U.S., and is one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the world. Decisions made in Texas have a global impact on our climate and our economy.
At Commission Shift, we push Texas towards transparency, accountability, and a future where our shared resources are protected at the Railroad Commission and beyond. Our team includes nine organizers, communicators, fundraisers, and policy experts located across the state. We strive to hold decision-makers accountable and ensure a world where clean water and healthy land are protected for all.
Commission Shift believes that corporate and institutional bad behavior disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society — including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of marginalized communities that are not listed here.
Commission Shift is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Commission Shift is currently hiring for the following positions:
View our Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990) here.
We need you to speak out for reform at the Railroad Commission!
