86R12032 SLB-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2064
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to methane gas reduction by The University of Texas
System.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 66, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 66.455 to read as follows:
Sec. 66.455. METHANE REDUCTION PLANS. Under each lease
relating to oil or gas issued under this subchapter, the lessee
shall implement a methane reduction plan reviewed and approved by
the board of regents of The University of Texas System under
procedures adopted by the board. The University of Texas Bureau of
Economic Geology shall assist the board and the lessee in matters
relating to the plan.
SECTION 2. (a) In this section, "bureau" means The
University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.
(b) The bureau shall:
(1) conduct a study on best practices in the reduction
of methane emissions from oil and gas operations; and
(2) develop recommendations for legislation that
would result in the implementation of best practices in the
reduction of methane emissions from oil and gas operations.
(c) The study must investigate:
(1) the technical and economic potential to minimize
methane emissions from oil and gas operations on land held by The
University of Texas System;
(2) standards in place in other states and across the
industry to minimize methane emissions from oil and gas operations;
(3) the savings achievable through the adoption of
standards identified in Subdivision (2); and
(4) policies designed to reduce methane gas emissions
on land held by The University of Texas System.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2020, the bureau shall submit
to each standing committee of the legislature having primary
jurisdiction over oil and gas development:
(1) a report of the findings of the study conducted
under this section; and
(2) recommendations for legislation that would result
in the implementation of best practices in the reduction of methane
emissions from oil and gas operations.
(e) This section expires January 1, 2021.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.