Bill Text: TX HB62 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Introduced

Texas House Bill 62 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

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

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-09-14 - Filed [HB62 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB62-Introduced.html



	By: Reynolds	H.B. No. 62



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements
	for 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. ANALYSIS OF INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
	REQUIREMENTS FOR OIL AND GAS FACILITIES. (a) This section applies
	only to a rule or requirement:
	(1) relating to a permit by rule or a standard permit
	for a facility described by Section 382.051961(a); and
	(2) that:
	(A) is a rule or requirement of the commission in
	effect on September 1, 2021; or
	(B) is a proposed or approved federal rule or
	requirement that may be implemented before March 31, 2022.
	(b) The commission shall examine rules and requirements
	described by Subsection (a) governing:
	(1) inspection and maintenance programs, including
	programs that use optical gas imaging, 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) the use of venting and flaring;
	(3) emissions of volatile organic compounds from
	storage tanks that have the potential to emit more than one ton of
	volatile organic compounds per year;
	(4) emissions of nitrogen oxides from compressor
	engines with more than 100 horsepower;
	(5) maintenance requirements and best practices for
	compressor stations; and
	(6) emissions from and maintenance of pneumatic
	devices and controllers between a wellhead and a natural gas
	processing plant.
	(c) The commission shall prepare a report that:
	(1) addresses issues raised concerning the rules or
	requirements described by Subsection (b); and
	(2) suggests options for improving safety, preventing
	air emissions from oil and gas equipment, including methane and
	other useful products, and reducing emissions from facilities
	described by Subsection (a)(1).
	(d) In suggesting options for improvement for the purposes
	of Subsection (c)(2), the commission may consider both regulatory
	and incentive approaches, including approaches taken in other
	leading oil and gas producing states that would lead to
	improvements in air quality and public health.
	(e) The commission may cooperate with the Railroad
	Commission of Texas in developing the report and obtaining public
	comment under Subsection (f).
	(f) Not later than April 1, 2022, the commission shall issue
	and make available for public comment a preliminary report. The
	commission may hold meetings to consider public comment. After
	considering public comment, if any, but not later than September 1,
	2022, the commission shall post on its Internet website the final
	report.
	(g) Nothing in this section prevents the commission from
	adopting rules on the issues contained in the study.
	(h) This section expires August 31, 2023.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
	last day of the legislative session.