On October 30, 2015, the PST Program issued a revised “Release Determination Report” Form (TCEQ-00621, Rev. 10/15) to be used to report the results from the investigation of a suspected or confirmed release from a UST or AST, or permanent removal from service of a UST or any routine environmental site assessment at PST sites. This form (TCEQ-00621, Rev. 10/15) replaces all prior versions.
The aquatic life and human health surface water RBEL (risk-based exposure limit) tables have been updated and are available on the TCEQ website. These tables can be found as the second category under the TRRP PCLs at the following link: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is proposing changes in fees for each request for a groundwater protection determination letter stating the total depth of surface casing required for an oil or gas well facilities. In addition, the current fees, as proposed, add a nonrefundable fee of $100 per each individual request for a groundwater protection determination letter. For more information, see: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/media/30320/prop-amend-3-78-gau-fee-sig-sept2015.pdf
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is proposing changes in Permit fees for coal mining facilities. The current annual mined acreage fee of $84 per acre would be eliminated, the annual bonded acreage fee of $12 would be increased to $13.05 per bonded acre, and the current annual permit fee of $6,540 will be increased to $6,600. For more information, see: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/media/29847/prop-amend-12-108-fees-aug2015-sig.pdf
To comment online go to: http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/legal/rules/comment-form-for-proposed-rulemakings
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
Beginning January 1, 2016, the TCEQ Remediation Division will require the use of United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) SW846 Method 5035A, Purge-and-Trap and Extraction for Volatile Organics in Soil and Waste Samples, as amended, for the collection and preparation of solid samples for volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis using purge-and-trap technology. After December 31, 2015, the TCEQ Remediation Division will reject VOC data reported for solid samples, such as soil samples, collected and prepared using another method when the data are intended to demonstrate compliance with the rules in 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapters 334 (Underground Storage Tanks), 335 (Industrial Solid Waste and Municipal Hazardous Waste), or 350 (Texas Risk Reduction Program).
We are very pleased to announce that our Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H., CPG has been selected to receive the National AIPG Section Leadership Award for his efforts to:
Mike has worked diligently with Texas members to get us up and running again and to expand our offerings to the Texas membership. We are now on the road to holding field trips, section meetings, and providing scholarships. Congratulations Mike!
The formal presentation was made at the AIPG Annual Business Luncheon held in Anchorage, Alaska on September 18 (more).
Henry M. Wise, P.G., CPG
President, AIPG Texas Section
and
Rima Petrossian, Ph.D., P.G., CPG
Vice-President, Western Texas, AIPG Texas Section
This legislative session is now closed. The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been sent to the Governor for his signature. Seven were signed by the Governor, two were vetoed, and one was filed without the signature of the Governor.
HB 30, by Larson and Vilalba, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 6/19/2015 Signed by the Governor. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30
Henry M. Wise, President of the Texas Section of the AIPG announced today that he has appointed Mr. Matthew R. Cowen, P.G. as the Member-at-Large for the Texas Section and will join the Board immediately upon confirmation by the Board. Mr. Cowen serves as Chief Field Geologist for Terrain Solutions Inc. in Houston, Texas.
During the June 18th meeting of the Texas Section AIPG Board, and with a quorum present, Mr. Cowen’s appointment by Mr. Wise, President of the Texas Section, was confirmed unanimously.
Also during the meeting, Mr. Wise appointed Mr. Glen Collier, Councilor-at-Large, as Chair of the new AIPG-TX Scholarship Committee. He was confirmed by the Board unanimously. His initial function will be to develop criteria to guide the award of future scholarships to deserving students attending universities in Texas with strong programs in the geological sciences.
The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold. Seven bills have been sent to the Governor this week, and a total of three bills have been signed (listed with an *):
HB 30, by Larson and Vilalba, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 6/1/2015 Sent to the Governor. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30
