“The goal from the very beginning was to give a voice to those who support energy development,” said Steve Everley, spokesman for North Texans for Natural Gas. “We’ve been amazed at how quickly people from the Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford region have not only discovered our campaign, but joined and actively participated in our advocacy efforts.”

North Texans for Natural Gas launched in 2014, and by the end of its first year, it had already amassed a following of more than 100,000. By the end of 2016, the group had more than 200,000 members, with cities like Midland, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi representing some of the fastest growth.

Since it was launched, thousands of members of North Texans for Natural Gas have signed petitions and sent letters in support of oil and natural gas development in Texas, including more than 1,000 comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s study of fracking and groundwater. The campaign is currently running a petition pushing back on out-of-state environmental activists who want to block a pipeline in West Texas.

“Texans from all across the state clearly want to voice their support for oil and natural gas, and we’re excited to play an even bigger part in protecting and promoting the Texas energy economy,” Everley added. “Members of the extreme ‘Keep It In the Ground’ movement are coming into Texas and claiming that they speak for the grassroots. It has never been more important to have a group like Texans for Natural Gas to show what Texans actually believe.”

The group’s new website is located at http://www.texansfornaturalgas.com/