87R12469 JAM-D
By: Rosenthal H.B. No. 3183
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the cold weather preparedness of gas wells and pipeline
facilities; authorizing a penalty.
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. COLD WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. (a) The
commission by rule shall require an operator of a gas well to:
(1) implement measures to prepare the well to operate
during sustained periods of cold weather; and
(2) provide to the commission a biannual report of the
efforts the operator has taken to implement the measures required
under Subdivision (1).
(b) A failure to submit a report under Subsection (a)(2) is
punishable by:
(1) for a first violation, a fine of $5,000; and
(2) for a subsequent or continuing violation of more
than four months:
(A) a fine of $7,500; or
(B) a revocation of each permit authorizing the
operation of a well for which a report has not been submitted.
(c) The commission shall submit an annual report to the
legislature regarding the implementation of rules adopted under
this section.
SECTION 2. Section 121.2015, Utilities Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), and
(g) to read as follows:
(a) The railroad commission shall adopt rules regarding:
(1) public education and awareness relating to gas
pipeline facilities; [and]
(2) community liaison for responding to an emergency
relating to a gas pipeline facility; and
(3) measures gas pipeline facility operators must
implement to prepare gas pipeline facilities to maintain service
quality and reliability during sustained periods of cold weather.
(d) Measures adopted under Subsection (a)(3) must require:
(1) the installation of condensate drains in
pipelines;
(2) that drains installed under Subdivision (1) be
installed in a manner that ensures the drains remain free of frost
at all times; and
(3) that valves, pumps, and other pressure-sensitive
equipment be protected from weather by insulation or heaters.
(e) A pipeline facility operator shall submit to the
railroad commission a biannual report of the efforts the operator
has taken to implement the measures required under Subsection
(a)(3).
(f) A failure to submit a report under Subsection (e) is
punishable by:
(1) for a first violation, a fine of $5,000; and
(2) for a subsequent or continuing violation of more
than four months:
(A) a fine of $7,500; or
(B) a revocation of the permit authorizing the
operation of the pipeline facility.
(g) The railroad commission shall submit an annual report to
the legislature regarding the implementation of rules adopted under
this section.
SECTION 3. (a) The first reports required under Sections
86.044(a)(2), Natural Resources Code, and 121.2015(e), Utilities
Code, as added by this Act, must be submitted to the Railroad
Commission of Texas not later than March 1, 2022.
(b) In addition to the reports required under Sections
86.044(c), Natural Resources Code, and 121.2015(g), Utilities
Code, as added by this Act, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall
submit to the legislature an interim report not later than March 1,
2022, regarding the implementation of changes in law made by this
Act.
(c) Not later than September 1 of each year beginning in
2022, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall submit to the
legislature the annual reports required by Sections 86.044(c),
Natural Resources Code, and 121.2015(g), Utilities Code, as added
by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.