In an effort to reform the rules following Winter Storm Uri last February, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has proposed changes to designate critical natural gas infrastructure during energy emergencies.

Proposed rule 3.65 specifies the process under which entities that provide natural gas would be designated as critical customers or gas suppliers during an energy emergency. Facilities designated as critical by the RRC include wells that produce gas or casinghead gas, gas processing plants, gas pipelines and pipeline/compressor facilities. Local distribution company pipelines, gas storage facilities and natural gas liquids transportation/storage facilities also are among the proposed designated facilities.

The RRC “chose to include these facility types, located up and...