88R4805 CXP-D
By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 1276
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reduction of methane gas flaring on land dedicated
to the permanent university fund.
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 FLARING REDUCTION POLICY. The board
of regents of The University of Texas System shall adopt a formal
policy goal to eliminate routine methane flaring on university
lands by 2027.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 66, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 66.711 to read as follows:
Sec. 66.711. METHANE FLARING REDUCTION PLANS. (a) Under
each lease issued, modified, or renewed under this subchapter
relating to oil or gas, the lessee shall submit to the board a plan
to end routine methane flaring in accordance with the policy goal
adopted by the board of regents under Section 66.455. The plan
must:
(1) include provisions that prohibit routine methane
flaring;
(2) for all new and existing sources, require
operators to adhere to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency's new source performance standards for methane emissions;
and
(3) require the lessee to implement quarterly
inspections and maintenance for the detection of malfunctioning and
unlit flares using leak detection equipment, such as optical gas
imaging cameras, and for the repair of those flares.
(b) The board shall review and approve or reject each plan
submitted under Subsection (a) according to procedures adopted by
the board. The University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology shall
assist the board and lessees in matters relating to the plans.
(c) In adopting procedures to implement this section, the
board may apply to new facilities and existing facilities that have
been modified after initial construction more stringent standards
than the standards the board applies to other facilities.
SECTION 3. Not later than June 1, 2024, the Board for Lease
of University Lands shall adopt procedures implementing Section
66.711, Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.