The Wise Report
The TCEQ has announced updates to the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier 1 Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs) are now available. You can access these tables at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html […]
The Wise Report
On Sept. 24, 2015, the EPA signed the final rule which requires NPDES regulated entities to electronically submit specific permit and compliance monitoring information instead of filing paper reports. This rule will be implemented in two phases. Phase I becomes effective on Dec. 21, 2016, and Phase II becomes effective on Dec. 21, 2020. The following is a brief summary of the Phase I and Phase II requirements as they apply to NPDES regulated entities. […]
“Unconventional Energy Resources: 2015 Review” in the Journal of Natural Resources Research
Michael D. Campbell, AIPG-TX Vice President - Eastern Texas, and James R. Conca, Member of the Advisory Group of the EMD Uranium (and Nuclear and Rare Earth Minerals) Committee have just published a section in the "Unconventional Energy Resources: 2015 Review" in the Journal of Natural Resources Research, Vol. 24, No.4 entitled: "Energy Competition in the Uranium, Thorium, and Rare Earth Industries in the U.S. and the World," updated and summarized from the 2015 Annual Report of the EMD Uranium (and Nuclear and Rare Earth Minerals) Committee, see pp. 8-16, (here).
AIPG Texas appointment of new Secretary-Treasurer
Henry M. Wise, President of the AIPG Texas Section announced today that he has made three new appointments to the AIPG Texas Section Board during the recent monthly teleconference of the Board last week. Mr. Rick Greiner has been appointed as the new Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas Section. Mr. Matt Cowan has been appointed as the Texas Section Representative for District IV. And, Mr. Doug Hall has been appointed as the Member-at-Large for the Texas Section of AIPG.
The Wise Report
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) is proposing rule amendments to Chapters 850 and 851 concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists. Many of the changes are for consistency and clarity. Comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted in writing to Charles Horton, Executive Director, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, 333 Guadalupe Street, Tower I-530, Austin, Texas 78701 or by mail to P.O. Box 13225, Austin, Texas 78711 or by e-mail to chorton@tbpg.state.tx.us. Be sure to state which sections you're commenting on in the subject line. The TBPG has approved Draft Advisory Opinion #13 regarding: Is Texas [...]
New report released under Mineral Commodities
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 Wise Report
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 [...]
The Wise Report
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 Wise Report
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 Wise Report
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.