For Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), the local impact of energy development hits close to home.

He remembers when a landman came into his old Fort Worth, Texas, neighborhood six years ago, trying to hash out deals with residents. Fort Worth is perched atop the Barnett Shale, a natural gas deposit, and at the time, landmen were scouting the area, asking residents to sign leases allowing natural gas interests to drill.

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Veasey, then a state legislator, said he was wary about the deal offered in his neighborhood, and he encouraged his neighbors to hold out for something better.

But some, he said, wouldn't heed his advice.

"This is something that doesn't happen that often," Veasey recalled one man saying. "This is a gift. And we should be grateful."

In the end, Veasey said, those who waited got a bigger payout, and a few admitted later they should have held off. The ones who signed early received $200, he said, but one man who lived down the street got $1,600. Veasey said that too often landmen would undercut underserved, low-income communities when offering lease deals.

"That is a big issue with a lot of these neighborhoods," Veasey said, thinking back. "You shouldn't see the oil and gas company as someone who's coming in to save you or something that's coming in to do you a favor."

Now a freshman in the U.S. House representing Texas' new 33rd District, Veasey said his experience living and representing an urban area where companies are drilling for energy resources gives him a unique perspective.

"No one can really tell that story as well as I can here -- particularly in the Democratic caucus," he said.

A former sports journalist, Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) is an avowed Dallas Cowboys fan. Courtesy of Rep. Veasey's congressional office.

Veasey's interest in politics came early, originally stemming from his uncle, who worked for then-U.S. House Majority Leader (and later Speaker) Jim Wright (D-Texas). After a stint as a sports writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Veasey served as a field representative for former Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas) from 1998 to 2004. Then he was elected to the state Legislature.

"He's very capable -- someone who is very knowledgeable about the community," said Frost, one of the most influential Democrats in Texas, who endorsed and campaigned for Veasey.

Veasey has strong roots in the area he represents. He spent his childhood in Fort Worth and attended college in town at Texas Wesleyan University. His House district, which includes parts of Dallas and Fort Worth, almost completely encompasses his old legislative district (E&E Daily, May 24, 2012). And Frost said that he once represented a large part of Veasey's new district.

Proposed landmen regulations

Issues related to the Barnett Shale loomed big in Veasey's state House district. While serving in the Texas Legislature, Veasey twice introduced legislation to require landmen to obtain licenses while operating in Texas. He said the legislation, which failed to pass, would have required landmen to make more attractive offers and helped empower communities to negotiate the deals.

Martin Schardt, executive vice president of the American Association of Professional Landmen, said that his group was "very disappointed" when Veasey proposed the licensing legislation -- and noted that the legislation was "soundly" voted down. Every industry, even those that license, has a few bad characters, he said.

"We do understand," Schardt said. "In his district there in Texas, there were a couple issues that came up that probably should never have happened. And, you know, we can't be responsible for every individual out there, and the things they do."

Schardt said he met with Veasey to express his concerns about the legislation, emphasizing that it is in his organization's best interest for the public to have a positive impression of landmen.

But despite the disagreement on the legislation, Schardt acknowledged Veasey works to represent his district's interests. "You know, Marc's a good guy," Schardt said. "He definitely has the heart of his district and his constituency" in mind.

Schardt said that he doesn't anticipate there will be national legislation that will directly affect workers in his profession. But if there is, Schardt said, he would anticipate a lot of questions from Veasey's office.

Weighing energy needs with responsibility

While in the Legislature, Veasey helped shape the district he would come to represent. Veasey was a leader in a Democratic effort to block the redistricting plan approved by the Texas Republican leadership. Veasey is holding one of the four new congressional seats that Texas received after the latest census. He also spoke out against air pollution linked to tapping the Barnett Shale, and he served as the Democratic Caucus chairman.

"He's a very effective advocate for his district," Frost said. "He's certainly worked hard to bring economic activity to his district, [and] was well regarded in the Legislature."

Texas state Rep. Lon Burnam (D) said that Veasey had a reputation as a team player.

"He's very congenial," said Burnam, who considers Veasey a friend. "He gets along well with people -- even if he disagrees with them."

Cyrus Reed, conservation director for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, said that Veasey has a positive reputation among Texas environmentalists. In 2011, Veasey received a 100 percent rating from the club on the votes he was present for. Veasey's interest in environmental issues, Reed speculates, stems from a desire to help his working-class district.

"I think he sees it as a fairness issue," Reed said. "I can't really speak for him. But ... the types of policies that tend to benefit working-class people are things like water conservation or energy efficiency -- things that help reduce bills but also reduce pollution or waste."

Reed said he hopes Veasey will be an advocate for environmental causes in the House, and he noted that the Sierra Club sent volunteers to campaign on his behalf.

Even so, Veasey said that he has a practical perspective on energy.

"I certainly drive to work every day," he said. "And I turn on lights every day. So I certainly understand that we all need energy. But there is certainly a responsible way to do all of these things."

During his congressional race, Veasey came in first in an 11-person primary and won a runoff election against Domingo Garcia, a former member of the state House. Veasey then easily beat his Republican opponent in the general election.

Looking ahead to this session of Congress, Veasey said he is eager to share his perspective on energy development -- particularly natural gas -- with colleagues. And he said that he also is interested in food and energy waste issues. He will be serving on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and Armed Services Committee.

But in the meantime, he's getting his bearings in Washington, D.C. After his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 3, he went with his wife and 6-year-old son to Union Station to celebrate his 42nd birthday over pizza. Getting sworn in was quite a birthday gift, he said. But, he added, "It was nice to just to get to spend time with family."