Bill Text: TX HB61 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Introduced

Texas House Bill 61 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-09-14 - Filed [HB61 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB61-Introduced.html



	By: Reynolds	H.B. No. 61



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on
	Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 382, Health and Safety
	Code, is amended by adding Section 382.051965 to read as follows:
	Sec. 382.051965. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
	FOR OIL AND GAS FACILITIES. (a) A permit by rule or a standard
	permit relating to a facility described by Section 382.051961(a)
	must require:
	(1) the permit holder of a new facility or an existing
	facility that has been modified to establish a quarterly inspection
	and maintenance program for the detection and repair of leaks from
	all valves, pump seals, flanges, compressor seals, pressure relief
	valves, open-ended lines, tanks, and other process and operation
	components of the facility that could result in fugitive emissions;
	(2) for a new facility, a prohibition on the use of
	venting and limitations on the use of flaring;
	(3) for an existing facility that has been modified,
	the elimination of the use of venting and a reduction in the use of
	flaring;
	(4) limitations on emissions of volatile organic
	compounds from storage tanks that have the potential to emit more
	than one ton of volatile organic compounds per year;
	(5) limitations on emissions of nitrogen oxides from
	compressor engines with more than 100 horsepower;
	(6) maintenance protocols and best practices for
	compressor stations; and
	(7) the use and maintenance of no-bleed and low-bleed
	pneumatic devices and controllers between a wellhead and a natural
	gas processing plant and the monitoring of emissions from those
	devices.
	(b) A program described by Subsection (a)(1) must require
	the use of leak detection equipment such as optical gas imaging
	cameras.
	(c) In adopting rules to implement this section, the
	commission may consider:
	(1) applying different standards to new facilities and
	facilities that have been modified; and
	(2) using incentives to encourage the use of best
	practices at facilities subject to this section.
	SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2022, the Texas
	Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules as necessary
	to implement Section 382.051965, Health and Safety Code, as added
	by this Act.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
	last day of the legislative session.