The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has approved rule amendments that increase pipeline safety and regulatory program fees. The changes are published in the Texas Register and are out for public comment until Sept. 23. The annual pipeline safety inspection and gas utility regulatory fee is to increase from 75 cents per service line to $1.00 per service line, which is the statutory maximum. Based upon the 2012 reported total of 4,856,251 service lines, the 25-cent increase will result in an estimated $1.21 million in additional revenue, the RRC said. The additional revenue, along with funds from the base pipeline safety grant, will fund 20 additional full time-equivalent personnel for pipeline safety activities, including inspection of intrastate pipeline and pipeline facilities, as specified by SB 1, which was passed by the Texas Legislature earlier this year.