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AUSTIN – Jim Wright, Chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), was elected to serve as the Second Vice Chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) during the organization’s annual business meeting in Oklahoma City on May 20.

The IOGCC is a multi-state government entity comprised of the governors of oil and gas producing states, including 31 member states and seven affiliate states, along with affiliates from select federal agencies and seven Canadian provinces.

Together, members work to address shared challenges and exchange best practices for effective industry regulation, supporting the conservation and efficient recovery of oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment.

Representing Texas at the IOGCC, Chairman Wright will assume the position of Second Vice Chair, succeeding Jessie Chmielowski, Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

"It is a privilege to step into this leadership role at such a pivotal time for American energy,” emphasized Chairman Wright. “The IOGCC demonstrates that states are best positioned to regulate their natural resources effectively. As Second Vice Chair, my focus will be to foster collaboration among member states, share best practices and ensure our collective voice is heard on the national stage. Together, we will continue to support common-sense policies that drive economic growth, ensure energy security and protect public safety.”

Jim Wright is a life-long South Texan and a fifth-generation Texas rancher. He was elected to the Railroad Commission in November 2020 and was unanimously elected to serve as Chairman of the Commission in 2025.

Wright believes that the long‑term strength of both the Texas economy and the Texas energy industry are fundamentally linked, emphasizing that greater access to global energy markets will help secure Texas’ position as an energy and economic powerhouse for years to come.

As Railroad Commissioner, he has championed solution-oriented leadership and encouraged the industry and the public to engage collaboratively with the Commission for the long-term benefit of Texans.