The Wise Report

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

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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).

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The Wise Report

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

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The Wise Report

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

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The Wise Report

The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (No new bills listed; three bills have been sent to the Governor.):

HB 30, by Larson and Vilalba, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 5/22/2015 Senate Testimony taken in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30

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The Wise Report

Senate Bill (SB) 1532 was passed during the 83rd Texas Legislature in 2013. The intent of the legislation was to provide a statutory and regulatory basis to promote research that could make desalination of brackish groundwater and aquifer storage and recovery more viable in the Edwards Aquifer. Within the geographic aea circumscribed by the external boundaries of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District but not within the district’s territory, Texas Water Code (TWC), §27.0516 allows the commission to authorize, by rule or general permit, certain injection wells that transect or terminate in the Edwards Aquifer while providing a statutory and regulatory basis that is protective of the freshwater aquifer and supportive of desalination and aquifer storage and recovery. A summary of the rulemaking by the TCEQ can be found at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/legal/rules/rule_lib/adoptions/13056037_aex.pdf

A copy of the proposed rule can be found at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/legal/rules/rule_lib/adoptions/13053331_ado.pdf

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The Wise Report

The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geoscientists have been filed. New information is listed in bold:

HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 45/8/2015 Passed. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30

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The Wise Report

The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (Two new bills listed):

HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 4/22/2015 Reported favorably as substituted. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30

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The Wise Report

The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (No new bills listed):

HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 4/15/2015 Left pending in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30

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The Wise Report

The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (Two new bills listed):

HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 3/30/2015 Left pending in subcommittee. For more information go to:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30

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