news | AIPG-TX - Part 20

20 Jan, 2017

Texas Section of AIPG Announces Availability of Scholarships to Texas Students in 2017

Once again, the American Institute of Professional Geologists in Texas (AIPG-TX) is pleased to announce the availability of geology scholarships to student members of the AIPG. Ted Foss Undergraduate Scholarships of $1,000.00 each will be awarded to three undergraduate majors and $2,500.00 to one outstanding graduate student as a recipient of a Gene Shoemaker Graduate Scholarship for geological students enrolled in a Texas university. Applications should be received by email no later than February 15, 2017 for consideration of one of these four scholarships. For detailed information, see (more).

14 Jan, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

EPA Rescinds Proposed New Rule on Uranium Tailings in the Western U.S., but will Resubmit Soon

The U.S. EPA, rather than finalizing its proposed rule on uranium tailings, opted to rescind its existing proposed rule and re-propose a new rule in 2017. The proposed rule would impose new health and environmental standards around uranium in-situ recovery facilities, including groundwater monitoring requirements. More information on the planned re-proposal can be found here (more). Once it is published in the Federal Register, the public comment period will be open for 180 days. The rule will likely draw criticism from Republicans in Congress due to potential cost increases on businesses.

A report on the TCEQ Petroleum Storage Tank State-Lead Program, including the status of sites and recommendations on fees, programs, and activities to eventually conclude the program, has been issued by the TCEQ and can be found (here).

Henry M. Wise, P.G., CPG

14 Jan, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

Report on the Tax Day Flood of April 17-18, 2016 in the Houston, Texas Area

December 14, 2016, Jeff Lindner Meteorologist/Director Hydrologic Operations Division, Harris County Flood Control District presented an outstanding report entitled: “Tax Day Flood of April 17-18, 2016, Houston and Harris County, Texas,” at the Houston Geological Society Environmental & Engineering Dinner Meeting & Seminar, HGS Announcement (here), The PDF was just made available of the presentation slides (more).

07 Jan, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Bills Relating to TCEQ Licenses, Costs & Environmental Effects of New Environmental Rules, and Bill to Require Notice of an Application to Drill Injection Wells within 10 Miles of Groundwater Conservation District

The State Legislature meets starting January 10th and bills are already being filed. New information is listed in bold (one new bill listed):

HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. Filed 12/2/2016. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484

22 Dec, 2016

By AIPG-TX News

Have you Responded Yet to our Survey? Please Do.

Your AIPG Texas Section Board is conducting a survey of the Texas membership regarding how the Board may be able to help you.

The survey period will be closing soon so be sure to fill out and complete the survey sent to your e-mail addresses.

Whether you are a professional or student, let us know you opinions on the questions asked.

If you didn’t received the survey, let us know and we’ll get one out to you ASAP.

Our best to you all,

Henry M. Wise, P.G., C.P.G.
President
AIPG Texas Section

17 Dec, 2016

By AIPG-TX News

Rice University Environmental Engineering Department Offers Free/Fee On-Line Course on Natural Attenuation

Rice University professors and environmental industry associates will build upon basic environmental science and environmental engineering principles to discover how to best implement MNA as a viable treatment for groundwater contamination plumes. Additionally, they will delve into the history behind and make predictions about the new directions for this technology. Any professional licensed to work in the environmental remediation industry will benefit from this in-depth study of MNA. They will use lectures, readings, and computational exercises to enhance your understanding and implementation of MNA. At the completion of this course, students will have updated understanding and practical tools that can be applied to all possible MNA sites.

15 Dec, 2016

By AIPG-TX News

Last Minute Alert: Proposed Changes to the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills Guide.

Matthew R. Cowan, P.G., District IV Representative to the AIPG Texas Section Board, spoke last night to the Houston Geological Society’s Environmental and Engineering Group about proposed changes to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guide. He noticed that there were a few critical changes that the general public and specifically the geological community, should be aware of that affect the middle-school (6-8 grades) TEKS on topographic maps, and High School Courses with regards to fossil significance, etc. These areas are fundamental components of Earth Science (Geology).

We have just been made aware of the proposed changes. Comments are due by the end of day of Friday, December 16, 2016.

10 Dec, 2016

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

On October 28, 2016, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) received a petition from Lloyd Gosselink on behalf of the Owner/Operator Members of the Uranium Committee of the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association (TMRA-UC or petitioner).

02 Dec, 2016

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) adopts amendments to §3.15, relating to Surface Equipment Removal Requirements and Inactive Wells, with one change to the proposed text as published in the August 26, 2016, issue of the Texas Register (41 TexReg 6311). The RRC adopts the amendments to more accurately track when inactive wells have been returned to production, thereby reducing the administrative burden for the operators of those wells and associated costs to industry. The RRC adopts the amendments with an effective date of January 1, 2017. For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/December22016/

01 Dec, 2016

By AIPG-TX News

An Overview of Groundwater Management in Texas – So Secret, Occult, and Concealed

November 9, 2016 – Robert E. Mace, Ph.D., P.G., Deputy Executive Administrator, Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board, Austin, presented “An Overview of Groundwater Management in Texas – So Secret, Occult, and Concealed,” at the Houston Geological Society Environmental & Engineering Dinner Meeting & Seminar, HGS Announcement (here). PDF of Presentation Slides and Paper (more).

Glenn Lowenstein, P.G., CAPM, and President, Terrain Solutions, Inc. provided an ethics presentation prior to the lecture by Dr. Mace.