Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB3017

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of certain pits used for the storage and disposal of oil and gas waste.

Impact

The implications of SB 3017 extend to various stakeholders within the oil and gas sector, as it mandates uniform standards that operators must adhere to when utilizing reserve and mud circulation pits. The focus on groundwater monitoring and financial security requirements ensures that environmental concerns are addressed, particularly as they relate to the long-term burial of oil and gas waste. By mandating notification to landowners and the county clerk regarding the burial of waste, the bill enhances transparency and accountability in waste management practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 3017 seeks to regulate the management of certain pits used for the storage and disposal of oil and gas waste, specifically reserve and mud circulation pits. This bill proposes amendments to the Natural Resources Code, detailing regulations that the Railroad Commission of Texas must adopt to oversee these pits effectively. Crucially, the bill introduces minimum siting standards, as well as technical, construction, sampling, and closure standards for these pits, aiming to establish a comprehensive framework for managing potentially hazardous materials associated with oil and gas activities.

Contention

While the bill aims to enhance regulatory oversight, potential points of contention may arise regarding the balance between regulatory enforcement and the operational flexibility of oil and gas operators. Industry stakeholders might express concerns over the financial burden that compliance with stringent standards could impose. Additionally, there may be debates around the adequacy of the proposed groundwater monitoring standards and whether they sufficiently protect local ecosystems from contamination. Engaging various interest groups in discussions around these regulations will be vital to achieving a consensus on effective and practical regulatory measures.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Natural Resources Code

  • Chapter 91. Provisions Generally Applicable
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX HB4572

Identical Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of certain pits used for the storage and disposal of oil and gas waste.

Previously Filed As

TX HB1721

Relating to the regulation of oil and gas waste; imposing a fee.

TX SB1186

Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of brine mining.

TX HB4072

Relating to the verification disclosure of the contents of oil and gas waste stored in pits at commercial oil and gas waste disposal facilities.

TX SB2309

Relating to the verification disclosure of the contents of oil and gas waste stored in pits at commercial oil and gas waste disposal facilities.

TX HB4484

Relating to the ownership of the pore space underlying the surface of land and to the use of that space for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide; authorizing a fee.

TX SB786

Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of closed-loop geothermal injection wells.

TX HB1777

Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of closed-loop geothermal injection wells.

TX HB2847

Relating to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas over and a study of the production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen.

TX SB502

Relating to the treatment, recycling for beneficial use, or disposal of drill cuttings.

TX SB156

Relating to the regulation and management of the use of groundwater and regulation of groundwater conservation districts.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.