During the 83rd Texas Legislature's second week in session, freshman state Rep. Tony Dale, R-District 136, was elected secretary of the newly formed Texas House Energy Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members created to study and educate their colleagues on traditional and alternative energy sources, as well as on overarching legislation on the industry in the Lone Star State.
"Energy is a vital, growing industry in Williamson County, and this leadership post will help me advocate for constituents who work in the energy sector," Dale said. "In addition, strong energy policies will benefit all of my constituents, and my role in this caucus will give me an immediate policy impact during my first term in the Legislature."
Williamson County is home to several energy companies that have provided jobs for residents, including National Oil Well Varco, Tolteq, Corvalent, EEstor and 3Ps Solutions.
Texas is the nation's top producer of oil, natural gas and wind energy, and a major source of coal and lignite production, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Energy Caucus comes into existence at a time when Texas is enjoying an oil and gas boom.
House caucuses provide members with a way to unite on various issues and can become information clearinghouses for House members.
According to a statement on Dale's campaign website, the Energy Caucus "will provide educational opportunities and information on policy issues regarding traditional energy production such as oil, gas, and coal, as well as alternative energy including biomass, wind and solar power, and emerging technologies like clean coal/coal gasification."
The caucus will also look at areas of the state that have been significantly affected by the oil and gas industries, and will work on legislation that will support those areas.
"Energy production is a critical part of our state's economy and vital to our national security," said caucus Chairman Drew Darby, R-District 72, at the meeting, according to Dale's statement. "The importance of this production is never lost on the communities supplying the men, women and businesses supporting the oil patch, the mine, or renewable fields spread over most of our state."
A small-business owner, veteran and former Cedar Park City Council member, Dale was elected to the House in a newly created district in November.
During the 83rd Texas Legislature's second week in session, freshman state Rep. Tony Dale, R-District 136, was elected secretary of the newly formed Texas House Energy Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members created to study and educate their colleagues on traditional and alternative energy sources, as well as on overarching legislation on the industry in the Lone Star State.
"Energy is a vital, growing industry in Williamson County, and this leadership post will help me advocate for constituents who work in the energy sector," Dale said. "In addition, strong energy policies will benefit all of my constituents, and my role in this caucus will give me an immediate policy impact during my first term in the Legislature."
Williamson County is home to several energy companies that have provided jobs for residents, including National Oil Well Varco, Tolteq, Corvalent, EEstor and 3Ps Solutions.
Texas is the nation's top producer of oil, natural gas and wind energy, and a major source of coal and lignite production, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Energy Caucus comes into existence at a time when Texas is enjoying an oil and gas boom.
House caucuses provide members with a way to unite on various issues and can become information clearinghouses for House members.
According to a statement on Dale's campaign website, the Energy Caucus "will provide educational opportunities and information on policy issues regarding traditional energy production such as oil, gas, and coal, as well as alternative energy including biomass, wind and solar power, and emerging technologies like clean coal/coal gasification."
The caucus will also look at areas of the state that have been significantly affected by the oil and gas industries, and will work on legislation that will support those areas.
"Energy production is a critical part of our state's economy and vital to our national security," said caucus Chairman Drew Darby, R-District 72, at the meeting, according to Dale's statement. "The importance of this production is never lost on the communities supplying the men, women and businesses supporting the oil patch, the mine, or renewable fields spread over most of our state."
A small-business owner, veteran and former Cedar Park City Council member, Dale was elected to the House in a newly created district in November.
