82R7280 SMH-D
By: Burnam H.B. No. 1125
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study regarding the odorization of natural gas
transported in gathering and transmission lines located in
populated areas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "commission" means the
Railroad Commission of Texas.
(b) The commission shall conduct a study regarding the
odorization of natural gas transported in gathering and
transmission lines located in populated areas. At a minimum, the
study must include an examination of:
(1) the costs and benefits associated with odorizing
natural gas under those circumstances, including any specific
circumstances under which the benefits exceed the costs;
(2) the chemical malodorants and odorization
techniques that are available;
(3) any specific circumstances under which
odorization is an effective method for leak detection;
(4) any product markets that are incompatible with the
use of malodorants;
(5) state and federal odorization requirements,
including exemptions from those requirements; and
(6) alternative leak detection methods.
(c) At the commission's request, a state agency or local
government shall provide information and assistance in conducting
the study under this section.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2012, the commission shall
report the results of the study conducted under this section to the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
the presiding officer of the standing committee of the senate with
primary jurisdiction over matters affecting natural resources, and
the presiding officer of the standing committee of the house of
representatives with primary jurisdiction over matters affecting
energy resources.
SECTION 2. This Act expires January 1, 2013.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.