Oil companies in Midland speak out on ‘bathroom bill’ Reps from Pioneer, Shell, CrownQuest weigh in

As letters of opposition pour in from companies in Texas’ major cities, the Reporter-Telegram reached out via email to oil companies in Midland to get their perspectives. As letters of opposition pour in from companies in Texas’ major cities, the Reporter-Telegram reached out via email to oil companies in Midland to get their perspectives. Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Oil companies in Midland speak out on ‘bathroom bill’ 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Many businesses around the state have voiced their opposition to Senate Bill 3, known as the “bathroom bill,” which if passed would require people to use the restroom associated with the sex listed on their birth certificate.

Of concern for many opposed is that the law restricts transgender people from using the bathroom that matches their identified gender, which in turn would cause discomfort and raise safety concerns.

In a revised letter sent to Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 2, several large Houston-based employers, including several oil companies, through the Greater Houston Partnership asked that the governor not support the bill, saying it would harm employee recruitment efforts.

“We support diversity and inclusion, and we believe that any such bill risks harming Texas’ reputation and impacting the state’s economic growth and ability to create new jobs,” the letter said. “Innovative companies are driven by their people, and winning the talent recruitment battle is key. Any bill that harms our ability to attract top talent to Houston will inhibit our growth and continued success — and ultimately the success of our great state.”

Oil companies whose leaders were among the signatories included BHP Billiton Petroleum, BP America, Chevron North America, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Halliburton and Shell Oil Co.

As letters of opposition pour in from companies in Texas’ major cities, the Reporter-Telegram reached out via email to oil companies in Midland to get their perspectives.

Pioneer Natural Resources is among the largest employers in Midland County and the largest taxpayer. Based in Irving, it has a sizable Permian Basin headquarters. President and CEO Tim Dove told the Reporter-Telegram that Pioneer does not support the bill.

“We believe a diverse and inclusive workforce is the strongest workforce, and we don’t support this bill because it’s inconsistent with our company values and not good for the state of Texas. We consider ourselves a family at Pioneer, and we respect our colleagues, no matter their differences,” he said.

Shell Exploration and Production Co. offered similar sentiments. From Scott Sheffler, external relations manager for the Permian region:

“With operations across the State of Texas, Shell is a very proud employer in a state we love. We believe in economic development based on a set of business principles that includes respect for people. It is with that value in mind that Shell has joined with other businesses to oppose the ‘bathroom bill’ being considered in the legislature. We urge our elected officials to carefully consider the repercussions of passing a bill like this, and what it would say about a state otherwise celebrated for its hospitality and inclusive spirit.

“The Shell General Business Principles and Code of Conduct are at the heart of how we manage our business. The ‘bathroom bill’ simply does not square with our values and principles.”

Not all business leaders the Reporter-Telegram reached out to disliked the legislation. Tim Dunn is the CEO of CrownQuest and the chairman of conservative policy groups Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. While companies associated with the Greater Houston Partnership cited employee recruitment concerns, Dunn said the bill’s passage might help recruitment.

“I would expect the Women’s Privacy Act to help Texas business’ employee recruitment, if it has any effect. This state law ensures businesses retain power to create a safe and protected working environment for female employees and should provide nothing but benefit for businesses,” he said.

The bill is also referred to as the Texas Privacy Act by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has championed the legislation. In a video he released Thursday on his YouTube Channel, Patrick said the bill “doesn’t discriminate against anyone.”

“Twenty-one out of 31 senators voted for the Texas Privacy Act because parents don’t want their children showering together in high school, they don’t want their children in school sharing locker rooms and restrooms, and adult women don’t want men following them into the ladies room, nor do they want their little girls or their granddaughters being followed into a bathroom by a man. It’s really that simple,” he said. “It’s common sense, it’s common decency and it’s public safety.”

SB 3 is now under consideration in the House of Representatives. The special legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Aug. 16.







