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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the cold weather preparedness of gas wells and pipeline |
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facilities; authorizing a penalty. |
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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. COLD WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. (a) The |
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commission by rule shall require an operator of a gas well to: |
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(1) implement measures to prepare the well to operate |
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during sustained periods of cold weather; and |
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(2) provide to the commission a biannual report of the |
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efforts the operator has taken to implement the measures required |
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under Subdivision (1). |
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(b) A failure to submit a report under Subsection (a)(2) is |
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punishable by: |
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(1) for a first violation, a fine of $5,000; and |
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(2) for a subsequent or continuing violation of more |
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than four months: |
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(A) a fine of $7,500; or |
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(B) a revocation of each permit authorizing the |
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operation of a well for which a report has not been submitted. |
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(c) The commission shall submit an annual report to the |
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legislature regarding the implementation of rules adopted under |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 121.2015, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), and |
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(g) to read as follows: |
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(a) The railroad commission shall adopt rules regarding: |
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(1) public education and awareness relating to gas |
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pipeline facilities; [and] |
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(2) community liaison for responding to an emergency |
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relating to a gas pipeline facility; and |
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(3) measures gas pipeline facility operators must |
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implement to prepare gas pipeline facilities to maintain service |
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quality and reliability during sustained periods of cold weather. |
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(d) Measures adopted under Subsection (a)(3) must require: |
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(1) the installation of condensate drains in |
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pipelines; |
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(2) that drains installed under Subdivision (1) be |
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installed in a manner that ensures the drains remain free of frost |
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at all times; and |
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(3) that valves, pumps, and other pressure-sensitive |
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equipment be protected from weather by insulation or heaters. |
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(e) A pipeline facility operator shall submit to the |
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railroad commission a biannual report of the efforts the operator |
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has taken to implement the measures required under Subsection |
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(a)(3). |
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(f) A failure to submit a report under Subsection (e) is |
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punishable by: |
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(1) for a first violation, a fine of $5,000; and |
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(2) for a subsequent or continuing violation of more |
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than four months: |
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(A) a fine of $7,500; or |
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(B) a revocation of the permit authorizing the |
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operation of the pipeline facility. |
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(g) The railroad commission shall submit an annual report to |
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the legislature regarding the implementation of rules adopted under |
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this section. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The first reports required under Sections |
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86.044(a)(2), Natural Resources Code, and 121.2015(e), Utilities |
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Code, as added by this Act, must be submitted to the Railroad |
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Commission of Texas not later than March 1, 2022. |
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(b) In addition to the reports required under Sections |
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86.044(c), Natural Resources Code, and 121.2015(g), Utilities |
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Code, as added by this Act, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall |
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submit to the legislature an interim report not later than March 1, |
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2022, regarding the implementation of changes in law made by this |
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Act. |
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(c) Not later than September 1 of each year beginning in |
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2022, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall submit to the |
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legislature the annual reports required by Sections 86.044(c), |
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Natural Resources Code, and 121.2015(g), Utilities Code, as added |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |