Bill Text: TX SB1633 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission of Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas in the unincorporated areas of certain counties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-23 - Referred to Natural Resources [SB1633 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-SB1633-Introduced.html
By: Davis | S.B. No. 1633 | |
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relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission of | ||
Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas | ||
in the unincorporated areas of certain counties. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Natural Resources | ||
Code, is amended by adding Section 86.044 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 86.044. RULES RELATING TO EXPLORATION FOR AND | ||
PRODUCTION OF GAS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CERTAIN COUNTIES. | ||
(a) The commission shall adopt rules relating to the exploration | ||
for and production of gas in the unincorporated areas of counties | ||
that are located wholly or partly above a hydrocarbon-producing | ||
geological formation that underlies all or part of two counties: | ||
(1) that are adjacent to one another; and | ||
(2) each of which has a population of more than 1.4 | ||
million. | ||
(b) Rules adopted under this section must promote gas | ||
exploration production while securing the existing economic | ||
interests, including property values and development plans along | ||
with the quality of life in the unincorporated areas of the counties | ||
described by Subsection (a) by addressing: | ||
(1) unique and heightened standards for the benefit of | ||
and protection of existing residences, religious institutions, | ||
schools, hospitals and public parks; | ||
(2) protective requirements related to noise, | ||
lighting, water discharge, road damage, production traffic routing | ||
and congestion, and impacts or damage to water wells resulting from | ||
drilling or production operations; and | ||
(3) the proximity and setback of gas wells, disposal | ||
facilities, compressor stations, gas treatment facilities and | ||
above ground storage tanks; | ||
(4) pipeline placement and alignment; | ||
(5) vapor recovery and reduced emission completions. | ||
(c) In adopting rules under this section, the commission | ||
shall consider ordinances adopted by municipalities in counties | ||
described by Subsection (a). | ||
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2011, the Railroad | ||
Commission of Texas shall adopt rules as required by this Act. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |