The Texas Railroad Commission said last week that its T-4, Application For Permit to Operate A Pipeline in Texas is now available on line. With the new system, which is expected to facilitate more cross-border natural gas pipelines, an operator may complete and return the application through the Internet to the TRC.

“This is just another step in streamlining pipeline projects,” stated TRC Chairman Charles Matthews. “The Railroad Commission is working on making the permitting process more user-friendly and permit applications available on the Internet to help alleviate the time in processing permits.”

The TRC has been working more than two years to streamline its cross-border pipeline permitting process, and Matthews said that the online application will help not only cross border pipeline projects but all pipeline projects that need a T-4 permit to operate. The new process also is expected to expedite the annual filing requirement for existing pipelines.

Four years ago, the TRC began talks with Mexican Energy Regulatory Commissioner Dr. Raul Monteforte, which focused on identifying barriers on both sides of the border. By streamlining the permitting process, many of these barriers will disappear, Matthews said. Currently, there are four state agencies to go through to obtain permits for cross-border pipelines.

Earlier this year, Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar, Matthews, Texas Land Commissioner David Dewhurst, Public Utility Commissioner Pat Wood III and Texas Historical Commission Director F. Lawrence Oaks signed a joint memorandum of understanding to streamline the permitting of cross-border natural gas pipelines in the state. Eventually, the TRC and Mexican officials want to establish a coordinated permitting process for both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas transportation.

“Our goal is to help serve the increasing energy needs of both the United States and Mexico. We believe that these efforts will ultimately affect consumers by lowering the cost of natural gas for both countries,” said Matthews.

For information about the T-4 application or the TRC, visit www.rrc.state.tx.us.

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