88R6927 ANG-F
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2227
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements
for air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
SECTION 2. ANALYSIS OF INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
REQUIREMENTS FOR OIL AND GAS FACILITIES. (a) This section applies
only to a rule or requirement:
(1) relating to a permit by rule or a standard permit
for a facility described by Section 382.051961(a), Health and
Safety Code; and
(2) that:
(A) is a rule or requirement of the commission in
effect on June 1, 2023; or
(B) is a proposed or approved federal rule or
requirement that may be implemented before December 31, 2023.
(b) The commission shall examine rules and requirements
described by Subsection (a) of this section governing:
(1) inspection and maintenance programs, including
programs that use optical gas imaging, for the detection and repair
of leaks from all valves, pump seals, flanges, compressor seals,
pressure relief valves, open-ended lines, tanks, and other process
and operation components of the facility that could result in
fugitive emissions;
(2) the use of venting and flaring;
(3) emissions of volatile organic compounds from
storage tanks that have the potential to emit more than one ton of
volatile organic compounds per year;
(4) emissions of nitrogen oxides from compressor
engines with more than 100 horsepower;
(5) maintenance requirements and best practices for
compressor stations; and
(6) emissions from and maintenance of pneumatic
devices and controllers between a wellhead and a natural gas
processing plant.
(c) The commission shall prepare a report that:
(1) addresses issues raised concerning the rules or
requirements described by Subsection (b) of this section;
(2) addresses the staff, technical assistance, and
other resources needed to incorporate any proposed or approved
federal rule involving emissions of methane and other pollutants
from facilities described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section into
commission rules under the state implementation plan; and
(3) suggests options for improving safety, preventing
air emissions from oil and gas equipment, including methane and
other useful products, and reducing emissions from facilities
described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(d) In suggesting options for improvement for the purposes
of Subsection (c)(3) of this section, the commission may consider:
(1) both regulatory and incentive approaches,
including approaches taken in other leading oil and gas producing
states that would lead to improvements in air quality and public
health; and
(2) the use of federal or state funds, including funds
available through the methane emissions and waste reduction
incentive program (42 U.S.C. Section 7436) or the Texas emissions
reduction plan, to help reduce emissions and comply with state and
federal rules.
(e) The commission may cooperate with the Railroad
Commission of Texas in developing the report and obtaining public
comment under Subsection (f) of this section.
(f) Not later than January 1, 2024, the commission shall
issue and make available for public comment a preliminary report.
The commission may hold meetings to consider public comment. After
considering public comment, if any, but not later than June 1, 2024,
the commission shall post on its Internet website the final report.
(g) Nothing in this section prevents the commission from
adopting rules on the issues contained in the study.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires August 31, 2025.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2023.