.The Texas Energy Report

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.The Texas Energy Report

Texas Senate Passes Bill To Move Fuel Pump Responsibility from TDA to Licensing and Regulation

April 11, 2019

 

In “pursuit of efficiency and consistency,” a bill was passed by the Texas Senate to transfer the duty of regulating gasoline and diesel fuel pumps and fuel quality from the state Department of Agriculture to a “true regulatory entity,” the Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation, as the bill’s sponsor put it….
 

Witnesses Testify For 3 Bills Related to North Texas Natural Gas Explosions, Injuries, Deaths

Reporter blames ‘faulty compression couplings’ in gas leaks, explosions, RRC says couplings are being replaced; Mechanical engineer calls the odor used in natural gas “very ineffective;” Mother pleads for legislation so no more families go through the death of a child as her’s did

 

April 8, 2019

 

Impassioned witnesses spoke in support of three bills aimed at increasing natural gas pipeline safety, one pleading for legislation that would prevent deaths such as that of her 12-year-old daughter, while another spoke of the ineffectiveness of the odorant used in gas,

The three bills (HB 864 on gas pipeline reporting requirements, HB 866 on replacement of pipes and HB 868 on disclosure of pipeline leaks) number among 11 filed by District 103 state Rep. Raphael Anchia in connection with gas explosions in North Texas….
 

TCEQ Exec Director Says Agency Faces Unique Investigative ‘Challenges,’ Deer Park Mayor Lauds Fire Response at Joint Committee Hearing

April 8, 2019

 

With sometimes emotional testimony on Monday, two state commissions heard that the response to a Houston-area fire three weeks ago was actually very good but too many questions remain — and while the TCEQ could use more investigators the agency has some very “unique challenges” in its investigative processes.

A joint meeting of the Homeland Security and Public Safety and Environment committees heard about the March Intercontinental Terminals Company tank farm fire in Deer Park, testimony that was often very similar to witness accounts heard by the Select Committee on Ports last week….