The Wise Report

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

May 2, 2009

The following is a list of new legislation that may be of interest to Texas geologists.  Those bills listed with an "*" are new listings, those in bold are updated information.

S.B 136.  Author:  Ellis.  2/10/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Relating to the Texas Global Warming Solutions Act; imposing a fee and providing a penalty. For full details go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB136

S.B. 273 (same as H.B. 177).   Author:  Nichols, Williams.  4/7/2009-Left Pending in Committee.  Relating to testing requirements for certain commercial injection wells.  This bill allows for additional soil testing and groundwater monitoring.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB273
 
H.B. 177 (same as S.B. 273, above).   Author:  Creighton.  3/24/2009-Left Pending in Committee.  Relating to testing requirements for certain commercial injection wells.  This bill allows for additional soil testing and groundwater monitoring.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB273
 
S.B. 274 (same as H.B. 178).  Author:  Nichols.  3/24/2009-Left Pending in Committee.  Relating to limitation on the location of injection wells.  Prohibits injection wells near faults, in recharge zones, and within 0.5 miles of water supply wells, residences, schools, churches, etc.  Doesn't say what type of injection wells and therefore has the potential to shut down ISR mining.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB274
 
H.B. 178 (same as S.B. 274, as above).  Author:  Creighton.  3/24/2009-Left Pending in Committee.  Relating to limitation on the location of injection wells.  Prohibits injection wells near faults, in recharge zones, and within 0.5 miles of water supply wells, residences, schools, churches, etc.  Doesn't say what type of injection wells and therefore has the potential to shut down ISR mining.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB178
 
S.B. 275 (same as H.B. 179).  Author:  Nichols.  5/1/2009-Received From the Senate.  Relating to the application of new requirements for commercial underground injection control wells to be adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB273
 
H.B. 179 (same as S.B. 275, above).  Author:  Creighton, Eisser.  4/28/2009-Committee Report Sent to Calendars.  Relating to the application of new requirements for commercial underground injection control wells to be adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB273
 
S.B. 448.  Author:  Carona.  4/14/2009-Referred to Transportation.  Relating to the authority of the