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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to restrictions on the siting, drilling, completion, and |
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operation of oil and gas wells in certain locations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 91, Natural Resources |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 91.021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 91.021. WELLS IN HIGH-DENSITY AREAS. (a) The |
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commission shall adopt rules applicable to oil or gas wells drilled |
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within 1,000 feet of an occupied building. The rules must: |
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(1) require a person who holds a permit to drill an oil |
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or gas well within 1,000 feet of an occupied building to: |
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(A) provide notice to all political subdivisions |
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in which the well site is located of proposed drilling operations at |
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the well site; and |
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(B) conduct a public outreach program to provide |
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information to nearby residents about proposed drilling operations |
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at the well site; |
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(2) establish a process in which a person who holds a |
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permit to drill an oil or gas well within 1,000 feet of a school, |
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nursing home, or hospital must give public notice of proposed |
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drilling operations at the well site and the commission must |
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conduct a public hearing on the proposed operations before the |
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operations begin; |
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(3) require an owner or operator of an oil or gas well |
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that is drilled within 1,000 feet of an occupied building to: |
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(A) use closed loop drilling; |
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(B) comply with liner standards designed to |
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protect the property on which the building is constructed from |
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spills; and |
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(C) hold at least one meeting with any person: |
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(i) whose residence or place of business is |
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located within 1,000 feet of the oil or gas well; and |
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(ii) who requests a meeting with the owner |
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or operator; and |
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(4) establish a minimum setback of an oil or gas well |
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from an occupied building of 500 feet. |
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(b) The commission and the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality shall jointly adopt rules to require an owner |
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or operator of an oil or gas well that is drilled within 1,000 feet |
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of an occupied building to: |
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(1) capture gases emitted during the drilling, |
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completion, and operation of the well to protect occupants of |
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nearby buildings from emissions and reduce odors; and |
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(2) limit noise, dust, and light emitted during the |
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drilling, completion, and operation of the well to maximum levels |
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established by the commission and the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality. |
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(c) The commission may cooperate with the Texas Commission |
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on Environmental Quality as necessary to implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. The Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas |
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Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules to implement |
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Section 91.021, Natural Resources Code, as added by this Act, as |
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soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |