83R10707 JXC-D

By: Burnam H.B. No. 3599

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to restrictions on the siting, drilling, completion, and operation of oil and gas wells in certain locations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 91, Natural Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 91.021 to read as follows:

Sec. 91.021. WELLS IN HIGH-DENSITY AREAS. (a) The commission shall adopt rules applicable to oil or gas wells drilled within 1,000 feet of an occupied building. The rules must:

(1) require a person who holds a permit to drill an oil or gas well within 1,000 feet of an occupied building to:

(A) provide notice to all political subdivisions in which the well site is located of proposed drilling operations at the well site; and

(B) conduct a public outreach program to provide information to nearby residents about proposed drilling operations at the well site;

(2) establish a process in which a person who holds a permit to drill an oil or gas well within 1,000 feet of a school, nursing home, or hospital must give public notice of proposed drilling operations at the well site and the commission must conduct a public hearing on the proposed operations before the operations begin;

(3) require an owner or operator of an oil or gas well that is drilled within 1,000 feet of an occupied building to:

(A) use closed loop drilling;

(B) comply with liner standards designed to protect the property on which the building is constructed from spills; and

(C) hold at least one meeting with any person:

(i) whose residence or place of business is located within 1,000 feet of the oil or gas well; and

(ii) who requests a meeting with the owner or operator; and

(4) establish a minimum setback of an oil or gas well from an occupied building of 500 feet.

(b) The commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall jointly adopt rules to require an owner or operator of an oil or gas well that is drilled within 1,000 feet of an occupied building to:

(1) capture gases emitted during the drilling, completion, and operation of the well to protect occupants of nearby buildings from emissions and reduce odors; and

(2) limit noise, dust, and light emitted during the drilling, completion, and operation of the well to maximum levels established by the commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

(c) The commission may cooperate with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. The Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules to implement Section 91.021, Natural Resources Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.