TLMA ALERT (sent
3/31/09)
Support Senator
Hinojosa's amendment to S.B. 1378 to require all operators
in the chain of title of an inactive well to come to the
table and help pay the plugging costs.
Requires
an operator to give notice to landowner within 15
business days of filing permit. This bill's
intent is to facilitating a dialogue by requiring
communication prior to operations and hopefully
avoiding any surprises. Signed
by the Governor!
Relating to
the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of
the use of the surface of land in connection with
certain activities associated with the exploration,
development, or production of oil or gas, including
the gathering of oil or gas by pipeline. Left
on General State Calendar.
Requires
oil and gas operators to report their water well usage
to local groundwater conservation districts.
Currently these wells are exempt from reporting
requirements. Passed as
part of larger Water Bill SB3.
Increases
bonding requirements and creates new tiers for payment
based on the number of oil and gas wells owned. Substitute
left pending in House Energy Resources.
Would
require notice to purchasers and adjacent property
owners of any impending disposal well applications.
HB521 left pending in Senate
Natural Resources committee.
Redefines “facility” as any structure
“necessary” for effective operation of a
method of transportation and eliminates service
stations or restaurants as necessary.Adds prohibition against limiting
construction of transportation projects, ensures that
at each intersection of a highway or turnpike with a
state highway or farm-to-market road that the
highway or road will be directly
accessible and has uninterrupted service. Limits right-of-way or turnpike
to no wider that
800 feet.Removes
revenue generating ancillary facilities.Repeals section of the
transportation code which states that TxDOT
may lease property on the Corridor to any public or
private entity. LEFT
PENDING
Relating
to remedies for environmental injuries caused by oil-
and gas-related activities under the jurisdiction of
the Railroad Commission of Texas. Failed
to pass
Relating to oil and gas, well
specific, plugging insurance, prepaid insurance.It cannot be
cancelled as it has no cash value.The policy is only paid back to
the operator once the well is plugged.The benefit relates directly to the
liability.That
is, insurance would be carried for each well.The State of
Texas
would be the owner of the policy and the contingent
beneficiary.Signed
by the Governor - effective immediately
