Texans First Fuel Program
A Simple, Practical Plan to Lower Fuel Costs for Texans
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 workovers needed to bring them back into safe production. As a result, these wells sit idle for years, generating no revenue for landowners, no benefit for Texans, and gradually becoming long-term environmental and financial liabilities.
The Texans First Fuel Program takes the resources Texas already has and puts them to work for Texas families. Through voluntary partnerships with operators and landowners, Texas helps revive wells that pass strict safety and environmental tests. In exchange, the state receives a small share of the production, which is refined in Texas and turned into discounted fuel credits for Texas drivers.
No new taxes.
No government takeover.
No changes to private mineral rights.
Just a practical Texas solution built around responsibility, efficiency, and independence.
How the Program Works
1. Texas evaluates inactive wells for safety and viability
Engineers conduct structural, environmental, and economic reviews of inactive wells. Only wells that pass every standard qualify. Wells that fail are removed from consideration and flagged for proper plugging.
2. Participation is voluntary
Landowners and operators choose whether to join the program. They maintain full control of their wells and keep their mineral rights.
3. The state funds a portion of the revival cost
For qualifying wells, Texas covers a defined share of the repair or workover cost. In return, the state receives a small percentage of the revived production. Operators keep the majority of the revenue and continue full operational control.
4. Texas refines its production share locally
The state’s share of oil is refined in Texas using simple cost-plus arrangements with existing refineries. No new infrastructure is required.
5. Texans receive digital fuel credits
The refined fuel becomes digital credits that Texans access with their driver’s license at participating gas stations. Stations are reimbursed automatically at standard market rates.
6. The program grows responsibly
Credits start small during the pilot stage and expand only if revived wells consistently meet production, safety, and economic benchmarks. There is no mandate to scale beyond what the data supports.
Environmental Protection and Well Plugging
A major benefit of the program is that it brings engineers to evaluate wells that have been sitting idle for years. This process identifies:
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wells leaking methane
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wells with casing or cement integrity issues
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wells that pose environmental hazards
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wells that are uneconomical or unsafe to revive
Any well that fails safety or environmental standards is excluded from revival. Instead, it is flagged for proper plugging through existing state programs.
This protects landowners, reduces long-term environmental risk, and saves Texas money by preventing future orphan-well liabilities.
The program revives good wells and identifies unsafe ones. Texans benefit in both cases.
The Problem This Solves
Unpredictable fuel prices
Texas produces enormous amounts of energy, yet Texans still pay full global-market prices. The state has no buffer to protect families from volatility.
Inactive wells generate no value
Thousands of wells sit unused. Some are viable but remain idle simply because operators cannot justify the upfront cost to revive them.
Landowners lose revenue
Inactive wells produce no royalties and can reduce property value over time.
Texas pays later for abandoned wells
When wells are left idle long enough, they become costly for taxpayers to plug.
The Texans First Fuel Program turns these challenges into opportunities.
What Texans Gain
Lower and more predictable fuel costs
Fuel credits help bring down the price per gallon for participating Texans during the pilot stage and beyond.
A program that does not require new taxes
Funding comes from a portion of the state’s existing energy revenue and the small production share from revived wells.
More jobs and economic activity in rural communities
Workover crews, service companies, transportation, and support industries all benefit when viable wells return to production.
Cleaner land and safer environments
Unsafe wells are identified early and flagged for plugging, reducing long-term risks to landowners and groundwater.
Support for Texas operators
Smaller operators gain a path to success without burdening taxpayers or relying on large outside corporations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this raise taxes?
No. The program uses existing revenue streams and the state’s production share from revived wells.
Do landowners lose their rights?
No. Mineral rights remain private. Participation is voluntary.
How do fuel credits work?
Texans in the pilot areas receive digital fuel credits that reduce the cost per gallon when used at participating stations.
Who qualifies for the first credits?
Pilot regions will include a limited number of Texans such as workers, veterans, and low-income households. Expansion depends entirely on the program’s measured results.
What if wells produce less than expected?
Fuel credits scale automatically based on real output. The program does not place financial risk on taxpayers.
What happens to wells that cannot be revived safely?
They are removed from the program and scheduled for proper plugging under existing state rules.
The Texans First Fuel Program is a practical solution built for Texas families. It lowers fuel costs, strengthens rural communities, supports landowners, protects the environment, and helps Texas move closer to true energy independence. This plan does not rely on new taxes or government expansion. It simply puts unused Texas resources to work in a responsible way that benefits the people of Texas.
This is a Texas-first approach to energy, economics, and environmental stewardship. It turns a long-standing challenge into a long-term advantage for every Texan.