AIPG-TX News | AIPG-TX

17 Jan, 2015

The Wise Report

The EPA is proposing new rules for in situ mining. A number of states, including Texas, already have many or all of these rules in place. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy signed a draft of the proposed rules on Dec. 31. A 90-day public-comment period on the new “Health and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings” opens when the final draft is published in the Federal Register. The publication date is uncertain.

26 Dec, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to clarify the definition of “Geoscience Firm” and remove the Geoscience Firm registration requirements currently applicable to a Professional Geoscientist who offers or performs non-exempt geoscience work for the public in Texas as a sole proprietor; remove the restriction that requires a new licensee to report to the TBPG within 60 days of becoming licensed the name of the firm or organization with which the licensee is employed if the employment includes the practice of geoscience; remove the registration and renewal fees for sole-proprietorships; and remove the restriction that a business entity, unless registered, may not represent to the public that it is engaged in the non-exempt public practice of geoscience by using the terms “geoscientist,” “geoscience,” “geoscience services,” “geoscience company,” or “geoscience, inc.” because usage of these terms does not require that a business entity be registered by the TBPG.

21 Dec, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

17 Dec, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

IET Guide to Growth Faulting and Subsidence

http://ela-iet.com/HouFaultGuideDecember2014.pdf

During the mid-1990s, the Institute of Environmental Technology (IET), consisting of associates of the Environmental Litigation Associates (ELA) and other senior environmental professionals in the Houston area, taught a 4-month program designed to cross-train professional refugees from a depressed oil and gas industry for the purpose of finding employment in an expanding environmental industry. Over more than 5 years, some 400 geologists, engineers, and other professionals graduated from that program, most of whom found professional employment. One of the objectives of the IET program was to provide continuing support after graduation. The Guide released today is the result of more than 10 years of research and discussions on the subject of interest to those in the Houston area and elsewhere in the U.S.

Because the current President of the Texas Section of the AIPG (Henry Wise) and the VP – East Texas (Michael Campbell) played a significant role in the generation of this Guide, they are making the Guide available through this venue to members of the AIPG in Texas and elsewhere in the U.S. as part of the benefits of membership to the AIPG.

30 Nov, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

AIPG-TX Board published report / articles

Members of the AIPG-TX Board, President Henry M. Wise and VP-Eastern Texas Michael D. Campbell have published a report and a series of articles at:

/commodities

26 Nov, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

While the State Legislature meets in January, bills are already being filed. There are currently eight filed bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists:

HB 163, by Larson, 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 and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB163

15 Nov, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The TCEQ has made several minor revisions to the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier 1 Protective Concentrations Levels (PCLs) which were released in early September 2014. The revised tables, dated November 12, 2014 will replace the September 2014 tables. You can access the revised tables using the link:

http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html

01 Nov, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Consistent with changes enacted into state law in 2013, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will return to being the sole preconstruction air-permitting authority in Texas, including for permits that address greenhouse gas emissions.

This change marks a departure from the previous two-tiered system in which the TCEQ issued federally required Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits for “traditional” pollutants and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued PSD permits for greenhouse-gas emissions.

04 Oct, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ’s) publication “Natural Outlook” has an interesting article on the EPA’s proposed new ozone standards. It appears that the proposed ozone standard may actually increase the number of potential deaths in some areas, like Houston and Los Angeles. To read the entire article, go to: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/sip/eighthour.html

Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report

29 Sep, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Just a reminder that the public comment period for current proposed changes to the Texas Professional Geoscientist rules ends on October 2, 2014. If you are interested in commenting, submit all comments in writing to Mr. Charles Horton, TBPG, P O Box 13225, Austin, Texas 78711, or by e-mail to chorton@tbpg.state.tx.us.