The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
July 17, 2010
Matt Cowan, with Lone Star Environmental informs me that recent instructions from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulations, and Enforcement (BOEMRE), following the loss of subsurface control of the Deepwater Horizon incident, will require that a Professional Engineer certify all well casing designs and cementing program/procedures for the purpose of which it is intended under expected wellbore conditions. (NTL No. 2010 - N05 Increased Safety Measures for Energy Development on the OCS Effective Date: June 8, 2010). Additional information can be found at: http://www.aade.org/PECensus/PE%20Census%20Determination%20Letter.pdf
The Tesas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes the amendments, repeals and new rules to reorganize, specify and clarify the requirements for examination and licensure, firm registration and certification as a Geoscientist-in-Training, clarify the application procedures, clarify the distinction between the license and the license certificate, clarify license, registration, and certification renewal requirements and procedures, define the role of the authorized official of a firm, strengthen the professional code of conduct and apply relevant portions of it to registered firms, the authorized official of a firm, and Geoscientists-in-Training, clarify complaint procedures and the actions the TBPG may impose on a Professional Geoscientist, a registered firm, an authorized official of a firm, a Geoscientist-in-Training, an unlicensed individual and an unregistered firm, correct minor errors, improve the definitions and rules, and ensure that the rules reflect current legal, policy, and operational considerations. This set of proposed revisions is a result of the review of the entire chapter in accordance with the Texas Government Code §2001.039. This is an extensive revision and the details can be found at: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/PROPOSED/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#161
Comments on this proposal may be submitted in writing either in person or by courier to Molly Roman, Operations Manager, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78701 or by mail to P.O. Box 13225, Austin, Texas 78711 or by e-mail to mroman@tbpg.state.tx.us. When e-mailing comments, please indicate "Comments on Proposed Rules" in the e-mail subject line. Comments will be accepted for 30 days.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
7/17/2010