About Katherine

Katherine Culbert is an accomplished engineer with a career built on improving safety, strengthening industrial processes, and bringing accountability to complex energy operations. Her work has earned her recognition as a trusted voice in Texas policy, including providing expert testimony before the Texas Railroad Commission. 

Katherine also brings successful political experience, demonstrating that technical knowledge and public leadership can work hand in hand. 

She believes Texas needs regulators who understand how systems function in the real world and who prioritize safety, affordability, and responsible stewardship. Katherine’s approach is grounded in data, disciplined engineering practice, and a commitment to public service that puts Texans first.

The Texas Railroad Commission, despite its name, has nothing to do with railroads today. Instead, it is a powerful agency that plays a crucial role in regulating one of the largest oil and gas industries in the United States. Established in the 1890s, the Commission initially oversaw the operation of railroads and telegraph systems. Over time, its focus shifted primarily to energy, particularly in overseeing the exploration, production, and environmental safety of oil and natural gas.

This Commission is significant not just for Texas but for the global energy market, given Texas' role as a major oil and gas producer. It issues permits for drilling, enforces industry regulations, and works to prevent waste of natural resources. The Commission also plays a key role in environmental protection related to oil and gas activities, such as monitoring for pollution and ensuring the safe operation of pipelines. Its decisions and regulations can have broad implications for energy prices, environmental health, and the economy of Texas and beyond. The three-member commission, elected by the state's voters, holds substantial influence over Texas' energy policies and, by extension, the state's economic health.

Texans should have access to an energy system that is reliable and cost-conscious. Katherine has pledged to pursue policies that help prevent unnecessary rate burdens and ensure that families, businesses, and local communities benefit from a stable and efficient energy market.

Texas must be prepared for a rapidly changing energy landscape. From new technologies to shifting market demands, Katherine believes the Railroad Commission must be capable of modernizing operations and planning for long-term resilience.

Katherine is calling for greater transparency in the agency’s regulatory processes. She maintains that Texans deserve clear oversight, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and a Commission that is open about how decisions are made and how public input is used.