HB 3263 — Relating to a program for monitoring methane emissions using funds from the Texas emissions reduction plan.

Summary

Relating to a program for monitoring methane emissions using funds from the Texas emissions reduction plan.

Bill Text

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 2 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 386.051(b), Health and Safety Code, Section 386.252(a), Health and Safety Code.

• SUBCHAPTER J-1. METHANE EMISSIONS PROGRAM Sec. 382.471. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "emission" includes any emission of gas, including an emission caused by a leak, blow out, or accident. Sec. 382.472. METHANE EMISSIONS PROGRAM. (a) In accordance with any provision of a state implementation plan adopted to comply with federal rules regarding emissions of methane and associated gases under Section 111 or 112 of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7411 or 7412), the commission by rule shall: (1) adopt standards for: (A) methane emissions; and (B) emissions of gases associated with methane emissions; and (2) establish a program in the manner provided by this section to identify and monitor areas of concern in this state for high emissions of methane and gases associated with methane. (b) The commission may require and issue permits for emissions of methane or other gases associated with methane if necessary to implement this section. (c) The commission shall establish a continuous emissions monitoring program in areas of this state that have substantial infrastructure associated with emissions of methane and associated gases, such as oil and gas facilities, wastewater treatment plants, or pulp and paper facilities. The program must provide for the operation of monitoring devices that: (1) detect, measure, and continuously monitor methane and associated gas levels in the atmosphere to: (A) identify background emission levels; (B) detect locations where emissions exceed expected background levels; and (C) measure changes in background emission levels over time; and (2) provide real-time data on methane and other associated gas emissions from facilities that are subject to the standards adopted under Subsection (a) to rapidly detect and quantify leaks without the need for intermittent sampling. (d) The commission shall: (1) monitor emissions of methane and other associated gases under Subsection (c) to identify areas of concern; (2) operate a network of sensors in each area of concern to monitor and identify sources of emissions of methane and other associated gases that are not in compliance with the standards adopted under Subsection (a); and (3) assist operators of facilities in areas of concern with reducing regulated emissions and complying with federal and state regulations related to those emissions. (e) The commission may contract with a third party, including an institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization, to operate a sensor under the program. Sec. 382.473. ENFORCEMENT. (a) If the commission identifies a facility as the source of an emission of methane or other associated gas under Section 382.472 that violates a standard adopted under that section, the commission shall require the operator of the facility to repair or shut off the source of the emission not later than the 30th day after the date the commission identifies the facility. The operator may not resume operations at the facility until the facility is repaired and the commission authorizes the resumption. (b) The commission shall consider an operator's compliance with Subsection (a) when determining whether to impose a penalty for a violation of a standard adopted under Subsection (a).

  amended

• Section 386.051(b), Health and Safety Code

  and → ; and (21) the methane emissions program established under Section 382.472

  amended

• Section 386.252(a), Health and Safety Code

  and → not more than $2 million may be used by the commission for the methane emissions program under Section 382.472; and (15)

  amended

Action History

1. March 20, 2025

   Referred to Environmental Regulation

2. March 20, 2025

   Read first time

3. February 25, 2025

   Filed

Sponsors

• Chris Turner · Primary

Subjects