Railroad Commissioners welcome new RRC Commissioner Buddy Garcia

AUSTIN-Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman and Railroad Commissioner David Porter today welcomed their new colleague, Commissioner Buddy Garcia, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry, to help guide the state’s top energy regulator-the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Commissioner Garcia’s appointment fills a position vacated by then Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones in February of this year. Garcia most recently served on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, when he was appointed to TCEQ by Gov. Perry on Jan. 25, 2007. Garcia served as chairman of the TCEQ from September of 2007 until September of 2009.

Prior to his appointment to the TCEQ, Garcia served as Texas’ deputy secretary of state and border commerce coordinator. He also previously served as a senior advisor to Governor Perry and state Sen. Eddie Lucio.

Chairman Smitherman said, “I am glad to welcome Commissioner Garcia to the Railroad Commission.  His wide-ranging knowledge and expertise will be a benefit as we continue to make improvements to the Commission’s efficiency and transparency.”

Commissioner Porter said, “I look forward to serving alongside Commissioner Garcia to ensure that Texas–not the federal government–remains in charge of regulating its energy industry.”

A native of Brownsville, Garcia graduated from St. Joseph Academy and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University.