TheRailroad Commission of Texas(RRC) has approved rule amendments that increase pipeline safety and regulatory program fees. The changes are published in theTexas Registerand 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 theTexas Legislatureearlier this year.
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Articles from Fees
Air Rules Covering Horizontal Drilling Adequate, Says West Virginia DEP
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has told key state legislators that no additional requirements are needed to protect the air quality from horizontal oil and gas drilling.
Half the $204M PA Impact Fee Revenue goes to Locals
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) last week said localities are to receive a total of $108.7 million from the impact fees enacted under Act 13, the state’s omnibus Marcellus Shale law.
Environmental Groups Want West Virginia Moratorium on Gas Drilling
A coalition of environmental groups is calling on Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to enact a moratorium on natural gas drilling in West Virginia until the industry and regulators with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) meet several conditions.
Industry Brief
The cash-strapped state park system in Colorado is considering using its nonprofit foundation to bring in more private-sector funds, which include allowing more oil and natural gas drilling in some of the state parks, such as the drilling currently taking place at one state park, St. Vrain, near Longmont, CO. A series of public meetings around the state has been set to kick off Thursday in Grand Junction and continue in Colorado Springs (July 24), Fort Collins (July 31) and Denver (Aug. 8). Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are considering corporate sponsorships and/or more oil and gas drilling in state parks to cope with budget cuts, according to reports this month in various news media around the state. Assistant Director Ken Brink told local news media that park visitors do not want state parks named after corporations, or more oil/gas drilling in the parks, but the officials say they may have no choice. There are 42 state parks in Colorado that now are forced to develop all of their revenues through user fees.
Eagle Ford Boom Brings Waste Hauling, Traffic Safety Worries
The drilling boom in the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas has increased instances of illegal drilling waste hauling in the region, while some South Texas counties have seen highway fatalities skyrocket, blamed largely on increased commercial truck traffic.
West Virginia DEP to Submit Horizontal Drilling Rule to Lawmakers
Regulators with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plan to file a legislative rule governing horizontal natural gas drilling that they hope may be adopted by state lawmakers next year.
Ohio Governor Expected to Sign Frack Rules Bill After House Passage
The Ohio House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in favor of an energy bill that also creates new rules for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the state. The bill is to be sent to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
Ohio Fracking Rules Bill Headed for House Vote
A bill that would create rules governing hydraulic fracturing (fracking) passed a key committee in the state House of Representatives on Wednesday and is scheduled to be submitted to the full House for a floor vote on Thursday.
West Virginia Inspectors File Grievance Over Job Postings
Twenty inspectors with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have filed a grievance with the state, alleging the agency’s plans to hire additional Marcellus Shale inspectors are unfair because the new hires will be paid more and have fewer prerequisites.
