Bill Text: TX HB1521 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 1521 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the reduction of methane gas flaring on land dedicated to the permanent university fund.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-08 - Referred to Energy Resources [HB1521 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB1521-Introduced.html

	87R6480 CXP-D

	By: Hinojosa	H.B. No. 1521



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the reduction of methane gas flaring on land dedicated
	to the permanent university fund.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 66, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 66.455 to read as follows:
	Sec. 66.455. METHANE FLARING REDUCTION POLICY. The board
	of regents of The University of Texas System shall adopt a formal
	policy goal to eliminate routine methane flaring on university
	lands by 2025.
	SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 66, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 66.711 to read as follows:
	Sec. 66.711. METHANE FLARING REDUCTION PLANS. (a) Under
	each lease issued, modified, or renewed under this subchapter
	relating to oil or gas, the lessee shall submit to the board a plan
	to end routine methane flaring in accordance with the policy goal
	adopted by the board of regents under Section 66.455. The plan
	must:
	(1) include provisions that prohibit routine methane
	flaring;
	(2) for all new and existing sources, require
	operators to adhere to the United States Environmental Protection
	Agency's new source performance standards for methane emissions;
	and
	(3) require the lessee to implement quarterly
	inspections and maintenance for the detection of malfunctioning and
	unlit flares using leak detection equipment, such as optical gas
	imaging cameras, and for the repair of those flares.
	(b) The board shall review and approve or reject each plan
	submitted under Subsection (a) according to procedures adopted by
	the board. The University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology shall
	assist the board and lessees in matters relating to the plans.
	(c) In adopting procedures to implement this section, the
	board may apply to new facilities and existing facilities that have
	been modified after initial construction more stringent standards
	than the standards the board applies to other facilities.
	SECTION 3. Not later than June 1, 2022, the Board for Lease
	of University Lands shall adopt procedures implementing Section
	66.711, Education Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.