The Wise Report
May 16, 2009
Henry M. Wise, P.G
The TCEQ held their annual Trade Fair in Austin this past week. There are always way too many seminars going on at the same time to attend them all. Of the ones I attended, here's some of what I think may be of general interest.
Due to the switch from the TRRP rules back to the RBCA rules for petroleum storage tanks (PSTs), the TCEQ's been updating all forms and guidance documents. You should check the TCEQ website for all forms used for PST work to assure that you've got the most recent version. In addition, RG-411 is being revised and should be available in a couple of weeks. I had an opportunity to see part of a draft version of RG-411. The guidance for disposal of the backfill material (place back into the tank hold or dispose at a landfill) has been updated.
Guidance document RC-428, Preparation of a Drinking Water Survey (AKA HB 3030 survey) is also being revised. The 30-day clock for the TCEQ to notify well owners of a potential problem has traditionally started when a state agency is first notified of contamination at a site. Because of the amount of time it takes for the this information to get to the TCEQ, there is often insufficient time for the water well survey to be completed and the notifications to be sent out in the allotted time. Therefore, one of the changes is that the 30-day clock will start when the TCEQ has received the water well survey information. The TCEQ also prefers that all of the water well information be submitted in a standardized MS Access format, but will accept Excel spreadsheets. MS Word or .pdf files will not be accepted. This will help the TCEQ decrease the amount of time required to send out the notifications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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. 5/14/2009-Reported Favorably Without Amendments. Relating to the application of new requirements for commercial underground injection control wells to be adopted by the