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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas |
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in the unincorporated areas of certain counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Natural Resources |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 86.044 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 86.044. RULES RELATING TO EXPLORATION FOR AND |
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PRODUCTION OF GAS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CERTAIN COUNTIES. |
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(a) The commission shall adopt rules relating to the exploration |
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for and production of gas in the unincorporated areas of counties |
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that are located wholly or partly above a hydrocarbon-producing |
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geological formation that underlies all or part of two counties: |
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(1) that are adjacent to one another; and |
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(2) each of which has a population of more than 1.4 |
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million. |
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(b) Rules adopted under this section must promote gas |
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exploration production while securing the existing economic |
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interests, including property values and development plans along |
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with the quality of life in the unincorporated areas of the counties |
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described by Subsection (a) by addressing: |
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(1) unique and heightened standards for the benefit of |
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and protection of existing residences, religious institutions, |
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schools, hospitals and public parks; |
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(2) protective requirements related to noise, |
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lighting, water discharge, road damage, production traffic routing |
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and congestion, and impacts or damage to water wells resulting from |
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drilling or production operations; and |
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(3) the proximity and setback of gas wells, disposal |
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facilities, compressor stations, gas treatment facilities and |
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above ground storage tanks; |
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(4) pipeline placement and alignment; |
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(5) vapor recovery and reduced emission completions. |
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(c) In adopting rules under this section, the commission |
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shall consider ordinances adopted by municipalities in counties |
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described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2011, the Railroad |
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Commission of Texas shall adopt rules as required by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |