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The Wise Report

The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
March 1, 2009
 
Well, it's been much anticipate, and now I've received word from the TCEQ.   As of March 19, 2009, the TRRP Rule (30 TAC 350) will no longer apply to the PST Program.  The PST program will return to 30 TAC 334.  I'm sure there will be more on this from the TCEQ shortly.
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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 to each listing, otherwise, there have been no changes in the list to date.
 
S.B. 483 (also H.B. 469).  2/4/2009-Co-author authorized.  Authors:  Seliger, Carona, Duell, and Shapiro.  Relating to the establishment of incentives by this state for the implementation of certain projects to capture and sequester in geological formations carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.  60% of carbon emissions from clean coal will be sequestered. Sequestration will be monitored by the Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin, and there will also be tax incentives for sequestration used by O&G for enhanced oil recovery.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB483
 
H.B. 469 (same as S.B. 483, above).  2/19/2009-Referred to Energy Resources.  Authors:  Phil King, Anchia, and Hughes.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB469
 
S.B. 274 (same as H.B. 178).  2/11/2009-Referred to Natural Resources. Author:  Nichols. 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).  2/12/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Author:  Creighton.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB178
 
S.B 136  2/10/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Author:  Ellis.  Relating to the Texas Global Warming Solutions Act; imposing a fee and providing a penalty.  Full details can be found at:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB136
 
S.B. 273 (same as H.B. 177).  2/11/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Author:  Nichols.  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).  2/12/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Author:  Creighton.  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. 275 (same as H.B. 179).  2/11/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Author:  Nichols.  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).  2/12/2009-Referred to Natural Resources.  Author:  Creighton.  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
 
H.B. 366.  2/23/2009-Referred to State Affairs.  Relating to creating a task force to review electric energy genera
source: 
Henry M. Wise
releasedate: 
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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Articles
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Government Update