Why I Support Oil & Gas Production in Shelby County: Separating Fact from Fiction By Wayne Christian
March 27, 2025 - Over the last several weeks, I’ve heard from many in our community who are deeply concerned about the recent approval of a permit for an oil and gas solid waste facility in Shelby County. As a lifelong resident of this community, I take those concerns seriously. But let me be clear: I haven’t been silent because I didn’t care—I’ve been prohibited by law from speaking on the matter until now.
Why I Couldn’t Speak Up Before
At the Railroad Commission, we operate like judges when hearing cases. That means that while a case is active – or during the period when it can be reheard (ended 3/26) – I am legally prohibited from commenting publicly on the matter, no matter how much I may want to. It’s not about avoiding the issue; it’s about respecting the legal process and ensuring fairness for all involved. But just because I couldn’t speak doesn’t mean I wasn’t paying attention.
Throughout this time, I remained fully engaged. I understood the seriousness of the concerns being raised and knew how important this decision was for our community. I followed the developments closely and made sure that, once the case was settled, I would be able to address those concerns clearly and transparently—within the bounds of the law and my role as a Commissioner. I’m finally able to speak freely and to correct the record on some of the misinformation that has circulated.
You’ve Been Lied To
Much of the outrage around this permit hasn’t come from landowners—it’s been manufactured by professional activist groups from outside our region.
One of the most prominent is Commission Shift, which presents itself as a neutral watchdog but is nothing of the sort. It’s a well-funded, special interest operation pushing a political agenda. Everyone’s heard of the Sierra Club—they openly oppose oil and gas. At least they’re honest about it. Commission Shift hides behind a friendlier name while pushing the same radical, anti-energy policies Texans have rejected for years.
Let’s be clear about who’s backing these efforts. Commission Shift is bankrolled by out-of-state dark money groups like the Tides Foundation, which has been called out by Congress and the Trump Administration for pushing a radical anti-energy agenda through USAID grants. One of their biggest funders, the Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, openly states that their goal is to “phase out dirty energy in the U.S. South.”
This isn’t about protecting rural Texas. It’s about shutting down oil and gas production in places like Shelby County so your tax dollars can fund more wind and solar subsidies instead.
They know that Texans overwhelmingly support oil and gas production, so instead of fighting drilling directly, they attack disposal and infrastructure as a proxy war—knowing full well that the industry cannot survive without it. If they can block critical waste facilities like this one, they can grind oil and gas production to a halt without ever having to say they oppose drilling.
Sadly, many well-intentioned members of the community, were drawn into supporting these false claims that align with the very policies pushed by the Obama and Biden administrations.
This Isn’t Going to Pollute Our Water
Let’s get to the facts. The facility in question is a solid waste disposal facility or Stationary Treatment Facility (STF), essentially the trash collector for the oil and gas industry. It handles SOLID, NON-TOXIC WASTE like drill cuttings and oil tank residue. These materials are not hazardous, and they are managed under some of the strictest environmental rules in the country.
This facility underwent a five-year review process, during which I voted to remand the application back to staff for further hearings to address community concerns and consider stronger environmental protections.
The applicant responded by presenting extensive new evidence, including soil samples from 40 different locations, with each confirming the presence of at least two feet of naturally impervious clay above the first groundwater-bearing zone. They also committed to several enhanced safeguards beyond what was originally proposed: 1) a triple-liner system with compacted subgrade; 2) 16 groundwater monitoring wells; and 3) additional berms and increased stormwater capacity to handle extreme weather events.
This project EXCEEDS legal safety requirements. Since 1987, the Commission has approved 213 STF permits – including four in Panola County – with NO DOCUMENTED CASES OF WIDESPREAD GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION impacting any municipal or county water supply. If I believed this facility would put our water or community at risk, I would never have supported it.
Why East Texas Needs This
I didn’t run for this job to be a bureaucrat. I ran – twice – as a pro-jobs, pro-oil and gas conservative because I believe responsible energy development keeps Texas strong.
East Texas is struggling. I raised three kids here, and none of them stayed—because the jobs just weren’t here. Meanwhile, Panola County has eight times more oil and gas production than Shelby County. That translates to more employment, more investment, and stronger communities. This facility could help us catch up.
I’ve always followed the evidence—sometimes that means supporting a permit, and sometimes it means standing against one. In 2022, an out-of-state company applied to build a similar facility in San Augustine. I opposed that project because the evidence suggested it posed a serious risk to the environment. After a Railroad Commission judge recommended denial, the company withdrew its application and the project was abandoned.
But I can’t oppose every facility. Texas needs these sites; they are the trash collectors of the oil and gas industry. Without them, production grinds to a halt.
This project is not like the one in San Augustine. It includes a triple-liner system, 16 groundwater monitoring wells, and a $9 million bond. It exceeds our environmental standards and has undergone years of scrutiny. The Commission has approved 213 similar permits across Texas, with no documented cases of widespread groundwater contamination.
I didn’t support this project lightly. I did so because it followed the law, protected our resources, and offers real opportunity for Shelby County.
Operator Concerns Are Being Addressed
I know some concerns have been raised about the operator who initially received this permit. I’ve heard those concerns, and there’s good news.
The current operator has publicly confirmed that he is going to sell the facility. I’ve also heard directly from local elected officials and community leaders that the prospective new owner has been frequently visiting Shelby County—meeting people, getting to know the area, and working to build a relationship with the community.
That’s the kind of ownership we need—one that is transparent, accountable, and locally engaged. And let me be clear: I will ensure that whoever ultimately operates this facility is responsive to the community’s needs. If issues arise, my agency and the State of Texas will act swiftly, and I will make sure you know exactly who to call if there’s ever a problem.
The Bottom Line
I voted for this permit because it followed the law, met our environmental and groundwater protection standards, and aligned with my conservative principles of limited government and economic growth. This wasn’t about politics—it was about what’s right for Shelby County and Texas.
The Railroad Commission is NOT a zoning authority. The idea that this project could have simply been blocked because it is in my local county is a misunderstanding of the law. If a company meets the legal requirements, we cannot arbitrarily deny a permit. As a commissioner, my job is to ensure projects I approve are safe, meet Texas’ strict environmental standards, and comply with the law.
I grew up in Shelby County, where the blacktop turned to dirt right at the county line. That pavement didn’t stop because we ran out of road, it stopped because we didn’t have the oil and gas revenue our neighbors in Panola County did. The roads may all be paved now, but it’s time our economy – and the opportunities that come with responsible energy development – finally catch up too.
You know me. I live here, too. I believe in accountability, and I’m asking you to hold me to that. If this facility causes problems, I will be the first to act. But I also ask that you give this project a fair chance—because the future of East Texas depends on saying yes to responsible energy and the opportunities that come with it.
