A Practical Plan to Strengthen Emergency Services and Protect Texas Communities

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Texas has tens of thousands of inactive and underproducing oil wells across the state. Many of these wells still contain recoverable resources, but operators often cannot afford the work required to bring them back into safe production. As a result, these wells sit idle for years, generating no revenue for landowners, no benefit for communities, and increasing long-term environmental and financial risk.

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The Texans First Fuel Program is designed to responsibly use existing Texas resources to strengthen public safety. Through voluntary partnerships with landowners and operators, Texas helps revive oil wells that pass strict engineering and environmental standards. In exchange, the state receives a small share of the production, which is refined in Texas and used to stabilize fuel access for emergency service vehicles.

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This program starts with fire departments, police agencies, and ambulance services, where fuel reliability directly affects public safety. Any future expansion beyond emergency services depends entirely on real-world results and legislative approval.

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No new taxes.
No government takeover.
No changes to private mineral rights.
Just a practical Texas approach focused on safety, accountability, and resilience.

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How the Program Works

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1. Texas evaluates inactive wells for safety and viability
Engineers conduct structural, environmental, and economic reviews of inactive wells. Only wells that meet every standard are eligible for revival. Wells that fail are removed from consideration and flagged for proper plugging.

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2. Participation is voluntary
Landowners and operators choose whether to participate. They retain full control of their wells and all mineral rights.

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3. The state helps fund a portion of revival costs
For qualifying wells, Texas covers a defined share of the workover or repair cost. In return, the state receives a small percentage of production. Operators keep the majority of revenue and maintain operational control.

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4. Texas refines its production share locally
The state’s share of oil is refined in Texas using cost-plus agreements with existing refineries. No new refineries or infrastructure are required.

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5. Emergency service fleets receive fuel support
Fuel support is provided to public safety fleets operated by cities, counties, and other public entities. Fuel is supplied through existing fleet depots or contracted vendors, reducing operating costs for emergency response agencies.

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6. The program grows only if results support it
The program begins at a limited scale. Expansion to additional public fleets or individual Texans is considered only if production, finances, and oversight demonstrate long-term viability.

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Environmental Protection and Well Plugging

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A key benefit of the program is that it brings engineers to wells that have been inactive for years. This process identifies:

• Wells leaking methane

• Wells with casing or cement integrity issues

• Wells that pose environmental or groundwater risks

• Wells that are unsafe or uneconomical to revive

Any well that fails safety or environmental standards is excluded from revival and directed toward proper plugging under existing state programs.

This protects landowners, reduces environmental risk, and lowers future taxpayer costs.

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The Problem This Solves

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Fuel volatility for emergency services

Emergency response vehicles must operate regardless of market conditions. Fuel instability strains local budgets and public safety readiness.

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Inactive wells create long-term risk

Thousands of wells produce no value and become liabilities over time.

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Landowners lose revenue

Inactive wells generate no royalties and can reduce property value.

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Taxpayers pay later for abandoned wells

Delayed action increases future plugging costs borne by the state.

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What Texans Gain

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• Stronger, more reliable emergency services

• Reduced long-term environmental and financial risk

• Support for small Texas operators and landowners

• Economic activity in rural communities

• A program that operates without new taxes

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Does this raise taxes?
No. The program uses existing revenue streams and the state’s limited share of production from revived wells.

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Do landowners lose their rights?
No. Mineral rights remain private. Participation is voluntary.

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Who benefits in the initial phase?
Fire departments, police agencies, and ambulance or emergency medical service fleets operated by public entities.

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Will individual Texans receive fuel discounts?
Not in the initial phase. Any future expansion would require verified results and legislative approval.

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What if wells produce less than expected?
Fuel support scales to actual production. The program does not rely on assumptions.

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What happens to wells that cannot be revived safely?
They are removed from the program and directed toward proper plugging.

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Final Note

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The Texans First Fuel Program is designed to be careful, transparent, and results-driven. It starts where reliability matters most and expands only if the data supports it. Public safety comes first.