A bill to increase the number of inspections at sand pits, quarries, gravel pits and other aggregate production operations never made it out of the Texas House of Representatives….
RRC Commissioners Assess Nearly $1 Million in Penalties
June 20, 2019
The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $939,780 in fines involving 288 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ conference this week. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety….
Texas Wind Turbine Removal and Cleanup Clauses Go Into Landowners Contracts
June 17, 2019
New legislation aimed at ensuring that wind power facility operators properly handle the disposal of turbines when they’re no longer useful will go into effect on September 1st…..
Explaining the New Law Against Deliberate Destruction of Critical Infrastructure Such As Pipelines
Bill signed by governor will protect power transmission infrastructure and telecommunications as well as pipelines…punishment is not equivalent with punishment for murder…law will depend on violators trespassing…”if you’re protesting on adjacent land, that would not bring you under this law”…clarifying the terms “destruction” versus “defaced” and “damaged”
June 17, 2019
A controversial bill to protect critical infrastructure such as pipelines, electrical lines and telecommunications in now law, effective later this year……..
Tax Abatement Zones Backed by Solar Power Groups Extended
June 17, 2019
There’ll be increased public transparency for tax abatement zones under new Texas legislation to go into effect later this year, but after some concern the zones wouldn’t be allowed to continue, a bill signed by the governor gives them new life….
Funding for Texas Roads Included In Budget Bills
June 17, 2019
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) will be getting about a-quarter of a billion dollars to help counties where roads have been damaged by large trucks in connection with oil and gas drilling, production and transportation…..
Increased Inspections of “Aggregate Production Operations” Dies In the House
June 17, 2019
Increased Safety Inspections for Some Power Lines Are On the Way
June 17, 2019
Some power lines will see Increased safety inspections under legislation signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and filed in response to the deaths of three Boy Scouts….
Texas Port Improvements To Be Funded Through Transportation Commission, Bonds
June 17, 2019
New deepening and widening efforts for Texas ports to accommodate the latest generations of oil and gas transportation will begin gearing up later this year under just-signed legislation authorizing the Texas Transportation Commission to issue new revenue bonds……
TERP Program Goes to Trust Fund, TCEQ Control
June 17, 2019
Money for the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) will go from the state General Fund account to a new trust fund outside the state treasury to be administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
TERP is intended to provide financial incentives to “eligible individuals, businesses, or local governments” to reduce emissions from polluting vehicles and equipment by providing monetary grants under nine programs for the purchase of newer equipment, cars along rail relocation and seaport revamping in order to reduce air pollution (see TERP Diesel Program to Expand, The Texas Energy Report)….
TXOGA Statement on Governor Abbott’s Signing of Legislation Related to County Road Funding, Critical Infrastructure, Chapter 312, and Water Regulation
June 17, 2019
New legislation aimed at ensuring that wind power facility operators properly handle the disposal of turbines when they’re no longer useful will go into effect on September 1st…..
Port of Houston Bills Signed by Governor
June 17, 2019
Bills calling for adjusted safety standards for pilots and vessels along the Port of Houston, as well as separating the pilot board from the port commission, were signed on Saturday by Governor Greg Abbott….
Texas Electricity Plan Brokers Going Under PUC Control
June 17, 2019
Electricity energy brokers in Texas will now be under the registration requirements of the Public Utility Commission has passed the state legislature….
Gas Utilities Salary Incentives Legislation Signed By Governor
June 17, 2019
A bill aimed at lessening the number of lawsuits over how people are paid at natural gas utilities was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on Saturday….
PUC Now Allowed Outside Help In Appearances Before Regional Operators
June 17, 2019
The Public Utility Commission of Texas can use outside consultants not only in appearances before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as is already allowed, but a new law extends that to include appearances before regional transmission organizations if Texas interests are involved….
Texas O&G Produced Water Discharge Bill Signed By Governor
June 17, 2019
While allowing the discharge of oil and gas produced water, hydrostatic test water, and gas plant effluent water into rivers and streams, new powers are given to the TCEQ to regulate such produced water runoff under new legislation signed by the governor….
Industrialized Homes Can Meet Energy Efficiency Standards Under Newly-Signed Legislation
June 16, 2019
Modular home builders are free to build in energy efficiencies under new legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott…
Comptroller’s Office Guidance for Well Severance Tax Calculation Audit Agreements To Take Effect
June 17, 2019
There will be new agreements between the Texas Comptroller‘s office and taxpayers such as oil and gas companies over how to calculate the natural gas severance taxes paid on wells….
Land Surveying Board to Merge with Board of Professional Engineers
June 17, 2019
The Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying will begin consolidation on September 1st with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, in keeping with recommendations by the state Sunset Advisory Commission….
Non-ERCOT Utilities Can Now Apply to the PUC For Cost Recovery
June 16, 2019
Texas legislation fast-tracking the recovery of some non-ERCOT electric generation investment costs has been signed ito law….
Gov. Abbott Signs 2 of Rep. Anchia’s Gas Pipeline Bills
June 16, 2019
Governor Greg Abbott has signed both of the gas pipeline bills passed by the Legislature and authored by state Rep. Rafael Anchia, which he has said were filed in reaction to a pipeline explosion in North Texas…..