Chairman Craddick Addresses Women’s Energy Network at National Conference
Discusses Importance of Women in Critical Energy Industry Roles
April 27, 2017HOUSTON – Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick today spoke to members of Women’s Energy Network (WEN) at their annual national conference in Houston, Energy Resilience: Refueling Innovation. WEN’s national conference brings together women from various industry disciplines to nurture professional connections among experts, increase knowledge and transform careers while maximizing contributions to industry advancements.
“While the energy sector has historically been viewed as a male-dominated industry, women have served in critical technical roles for generations,” Craddick said.
“I am proud to say we are seeing more women out on rigs, on-site at refineries, and even in the board room where their perspective can have a greater impact on the industry’s future.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, women represent a smaller percentage of the work force in energy-related sectors, ranging from 22 to 34 percent, than compared to the overall economy where women make up 47 percent of employees.
“The industry’s ebbs and flows have led to a labor shortage on top of an aging work force, pushing companies to cast a broader net for qualified employees,” Craddick said. “Bringing more women into the mix gives the industry a broader talent pool with which to meet challenges, and develop solutions for a fast-moving and innovative industry. At the end of the day, diversity in work force leads to better ideas and greater efficiency.”
WEN serves more than 4,000 members through programs that foster career and leadership development of professional women working in the energy industry.
Christi Craddick was elected statewide by the people of Texas in November 2012 to serve a six-year term as Texas Railroad Commissioner. A native of Midland, Christi is an attorney specializing in oil and gas, water, tax issues, electric deregulation and environmental policy.
About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.