A new report has been released under Mineral Commodities under C. Texas Aquifers: Groundwater as a Commodity It was prepared by Dr. Rima Petrossian, P.G., C.P.G., the Vice President, West Texas, of the AIPG Texas Section. It is intended to be a dynamic report, in that, the contents may be updated from time to time as new information becomes available. Your comments are invited.
The following information was provided by the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG): On September 18, 2015 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to amend the new source performance standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas source category by setting standards for both methane and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for certain equipment, processes and activities across this source category. TBPG's Appointed Board submitted a comment that Professional Geoscientists are licensed to ensure protection of human health and the environment and that Professional Geoscientist licensure should be considered as an appropriate accreditation for the EPA's proposed rules [...]
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 only modification to the form is to require additional information on the tank operators, tank owners, and property owners to ensure the TCEQ is dealing with the correct entity should an LPST number be [...]
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 They are also available as companion documents to, “Determining PCLs for Surface Water and Sediment (TRRP-24)” which is available with the TRRP guidance documents at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/guidance.html The following changes were made to the aquatic life table The freshwater acute and chronic RBEL values for ammonia (as total ammonia nitrogen) were corrected. The 2014 table revision had a units [...]
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 Henry M. Wise, P.G.
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), [...]
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: re-activate our Texas Section, maintain the AIPG-TX website presence through the years of inactivity, expand the website's coverage and usefulness to the members of the Section, and pursue other Section-building activities in his role of Vice-President, Eastern Texas. 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 [...]
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 HB 163, by Larson and Workman, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states [...]
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.