18
Nov, 2019
The Wise Report
The TCEQ has updated the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier 1 Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs). You can access these tables at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html
The TCEQ has updated the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier 1 Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs). You can access these tables at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html
The Railroad Commission of Texas proposes amendments to §3.40, relating to Assignment of Acreage to Pooled Development and Proration Units. The amendments are proposed to allow the same surface acreage to be assigned to more than one well in an unconventional fracture treated (UFT) field when mineral ownership is severed at different depths below the surface.
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) adopts amendments to 22 TAC §§851.20, 851.22, 851.23, 851.40, and 851.41, concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists in Texas, and also adopts the repeal of 22 TAC §851.24, concerning references. The amendments and repeal are adopted to comply with statutory changes to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1002, the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act). These amended rules and the repeal are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 12, 2019, issue of the Texas Register (44 TexReg 3516), and will not be republished. These changes remove the requirements for references for various applications and waivers, relying on work experience instead.
For more information go to: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/te
HB 1311, the bill to continue the regulation and functions of the Texas Board of Professional
Geoscientists, has been passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill now awaits approval from Governor Abbott.
The State Legislature is now in session and bills are being filed and worked on. New information is listed in bold (0 new bills listed):
HB 223, by Reynolds, Relating to the funding through greenhouse gas emissions fees of energy efficiency programs administered by certain utilities; authorizing a fee. Referred to State Affairs, 2/19/2019. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB223
HB 225, by Reynolds, Relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements for air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities. Regulates fugitive emissions from all oil field equipment, the use of venting and flaring, etc. Referred to Environmental Regulation, 2/19/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB225
See Status of TBPG Legislation:
https://capitol.texas.gov/mytlo/mobile/BillHistory.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB%201311
Bill Language: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/pdf/HB01311I.pdf
All Texas AIPG Members:
The following link is streaming video from hearings on HB-1311, regarding the Texas Board Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) in Austin, Texas:
http://tlcsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=45&clip_id=14257
The pertinent testimony begins at 1 hr., 8 minutes, and runs through 1 hr., 32 minutes. See the time bar below the screen to adjust the time into the video.
See Texas House Bill citation:
HB 1311, by Senfronia Thompson, Flynn, Lambert, Paddie, Nevarez, Watson, identical to SB 609, Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. Scheduled for public hearing on 4/16/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1311
See Texas Senate Bill citation:
SB 609, by Watson, Birdwell, Buckingham, and Nichols, identical to HB 1311, Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. Referred to Business & Commerce, 2/21/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=SB609
MARCH 31 UPDATE: MONITORING HOUSE BILL ACTIVITIES: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1311
Henry M. Wise, President of AIPG Texas Section, has heard from his contacts that now is the time. The final stretch of getting the amended Texas Geoscience Act reauthorized is here. Senate and House Bill 1311 currently being considered by the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee and will be voted on in the immediate future, even as early as tomorrow. As with most of life, timing is everything. TGC has been following the lead of our lobbyist about when the proper time would be for us to call our representatives to tell them we want them to support the bill. They tell us that there are two well known organization opposing the bill. We need 30 Republicans to support the bill, but they are not so unified. So, we are asking all licensed geoscientists who are in republican districts to call and email their representatives asking for them to support the bill.
The AIPG National Executive Committee Meeting was held on February 2nd in San Antonio, Texas.
UPDATE (Details)
New Information (November 19, 2018) from TBPG on the Sunset decision: (here).
Based on information provided by Henry Wise, AIPG Texas Section President, who was present in Austin for the Sunset decision along with members representing the Texas Geoscience Council and the HGS, and others, the following are the details behind the Sunset Advisory Commission’s decision, which also contains 12 recommendations to the TBPG:
1) The first vote, which failed with 8 No to 4 Yes, was to abolish the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) and transfer the regulation of geoscientists to the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE) by September 1, 2020. In the modified proposal that was voted on, geoscientists would have only had an advisory committee to the TBPE, not Board representation.
2) The second vote to continue the TBPG for another 6 years, until September 1, 2025, while implementing 12 recommendations passed by 10 Yes to 2 No.
Here are the recommendations that the TBPG must implement. They seem to be directed at reducing “government interference in business”. They appear to be tolerable considering the alternatives to either abolish the TBPG, or fold geoscientists into the TBPE.