88R4805 CXP-D
 
  By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 1276
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the reduction of methane gas flaring on land dedicated
  to the permanent university fund.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 66, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 66.455 to read as follows:
         Sec. 66.455.  METHANE FLARING REDUCTION POLICY. The board
  of regents of The University of Texas System shall adopt a formal
  policy goal to eliminate routine methane flaring on university
  lands by 2027.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 66, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 66.711 to read as follows:
         Sec. 66.711.  METHANE FLARING REDUCTION PLANS.  (a)  Under
  each lease issued, modified, or renewed under this subchapter
  relating to oil or gas, the lessee shall submit to the board a plan
  to end routine methane flaring in accordance with the policy goal
  adopted by the board of regents under Section 66.455. The plan
  must:
               (1)  include provisions that prohibit routine methane
  flaring;
               (2)  for all new and existing sources, require
  operators to adhere to the United States Environmental Protection
  Agency's new source performance standards for methane emissions;
  and
               (3)  require the lessee to implement quarterly
  inspections and maintenance for the detection of malfunctioning and
  unlit flares using leak detection equipment, such as optical gas
  imaging cameras, and for the repair of those flares.
         (b)  The board shall review and approve or reject each plan
  submitted under Subsection (a) according to procedures adopted by
  the board. The University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology shall
  assist the board and lessees in matters relating to the plans.
         (c)  In adopting procedures to implement this section, the
  board may apply to new facilities and existing facilities that have
  been modified after initial construction more stringent standards
  than the standards the board applies to other facilities.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than June 1, 2024, the Board for Lease
  of University Lands shall adopt procedures implementing Section
  66.711, Education Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.