TXOGA made headlines when the Houston Chronicle published an op-ed by TXOGA’s Vice President for Environmental Affairs, Debbie Hastings. The op-ed is entitled “State Fuel Team Prepared for Hurricane Evacuations.”
Hastings serves several roles on the State Fuel Team including communications, project manager, planning coordinator, environmental subject matter expert and refiner and terminal coordinator. Although not part of any state agency, the Fuel Team works closely with the State Operations Center to provide information about fuel supply, demand, and projected needs in the event of an evacuation. As explained in the op-ed, Texas got high marks for its preparation and response to Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav and Ike last year. In fact, a Houston Chronicle headline declared: “Fuel distribution passed storm test with flying colors.” But the Fuel Team and Texas leaders didn't bask in that praise. Instead they went to work to further refine the state's hurricane preparation and recovery plans.