By Matt Johnson
One of the richest people in Texas had his hearing at the Senate Nominations Committee on Wednesday morning, and he wasn’t even there. The meeting to consider the nomination of Energy Transfer Partners CEO Kelcy Warren to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission consisted of just one Senator, the Committee Chair, Brian Birdwell (R-Waco). The other six Senators were presumably in other committees or otherwise working on bills.
Several witnesses testified in opposition to Warren’s nomination (including our Conservation Director Cyrus Reed). Some gave succinct statements stating their opposition to Warren’s nomination on inherent conflict of interest grounds. Others gave very detailed reasons why he should not be on the Commission, citing government code. Every witness on Warren’s nomination opposed it.
However, despite thousands of Texans contacting their Senators through emails and phone calls, there hasn’t been much, if any, public response from Senate Committee members. Warren is a very controversial figure across the state, country, and world for his ruthlessness in getting pipelines built. Many questions have been raised by the Sierra Club and others about his suitability for the position but so far no Senator has asked them publicly.
If I were a Senator reviewing his application and background, I’d ask a lot of questions...
Mr. Warren has been serving unconfirmed on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and has had the opportunity to vote on items before the Commission. Why did he recuse himself from a vote on a pipeline easement in the JD Murphree Wildlife Management Area at the November 2016 Commission meeting?
What other business taken up by the Commission while Mr. Warren has been serving has concerned other pipelines, oil and gas leasing, or other activities that intersect the fossil fuel industry?
Has he recused himself from any other votes or discussions?
TPWD staff is engaged in negotiations with the Apache Corporation over drilling in West Texas near Balmorhea State Park and San Solomon Springs. Has he been involved in any of these negotiations or tried to influence how Apache is allowed to develop near state parkland?
Mr. Warren was asked to give details of all agency licenses in the last five years on his application. He provided and addendum with a long list of agencies including the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Under TPWD, he only said “multiple licenses under multiple entities.” With the great potential for conflicts of interest given the nature of Mr. Warren’s businesses, how is the Nominations Committee supposed to make a sound judgment on his suitability for this position without knowing how many conflicts are out there? Can Mr. Warren supply a detailed list of all licenses, agreements, easements, etc., with TPWD from all his companies?
Mr. Warren didn’t make the January Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission meeting and was not in attendance at his Senate Nominations hearing, which might be because he is an extremely busy guy. What has his attendance been like since first joining the Commission? Will Mr. Warren be able to fulfill his responsibilities as Commissioner if his first priority - his multi-billion dollar business - prevents him from participating in Commission business?
Question 13 of the application asks if any federal, state, or local law enforcement or regulatory agency filed or investigated any grievance or complaint against you, or an entity in which you have a material interest. Mr. Warren referenced a 2007-2008 FERC suit that was dropped with a minor fine, but in the addenda there’s information relating to a combined $40 million settlement with FERC and CFTC over market manipulation near the Houston Ship Channel during Hurricane Rita. Given this past, what assurances do we have that Mr. Warren will act in the best interests of the State of Texas?
Mr. Warren, along with three other members of the TPWC, are engaged in the mineral extraction industry, which can wreak havoc on natural habitats. Is it really appropriate that four out of the nine people charged with overseeing our state’s parks and wildlife work in this field? Wouldn’t it make more sense to appoint experts in land conservation, wildlife management and recreation?
The vote to confirm Warren could come as soon as Thursday, April 20. Please call your State Senator today to say you oppose Kelcy Warren’s nomination to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. You can reach your Senator by calling 512-623-7594.
Here's a sample script:
Hi, my name is ______ and I live in your district.
This Thursday the Senate Nominations Committee or full Senate could take up Kelcy Warren's nomination to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Our most treasured places in Texas are too precious to be put in the hands of this pipeline billionaire. Please oppose Kelcy Warren's nomination to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Thank you.