Tex. Educ. Code § 109.204

Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.

Section 109.204 - Duties

(a) The consortium shall study the economic, environmental, and public health considerations of beneficial uses of fluid oil and gas waste and technology needed for those uses. After October 1, 2022:

(1) the research and investigation goals of the consortium shall be directed by the members of the consortium; and

(2) the host university may disband the consortium if the host university determines that the consortium does not have sufficient membership.

(a-1) This subsection expires October 1, 2022. Not later than September 1, 2022, the consortium shall produce a report that includes:

(1) suggested changes to laws and administrative rules to better enable beneficial uses of fluid oil and gas waste, including specific changes designed to find and define beneficial uses for fluid oil and gas waste outside of the oil and gas industry;

(2) suggested guidance for establishing fluid oil and gas waste permitting and testing standards;

(3) a technologically and economically feasible pilot project for state participation in a facility designed and operated to recycle fluid oil and gas waste; and

(4) an economic model for using fluid oil and gas waste in a way that is economical and efficient and that protects public health and the environment.

(b) The host university shall:

(1) provide staff and other resources necessary for the consortium to meet the requirements of this subchapter;

(2) consult with the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium and that consortium's Government Advisory Board on research, data, and any other matter related to the consortium; and

(3) solicit participation from:

(A) the oil and gas industry;

(B) agricultural water users;

(C) industrial water users;

(D) environmental interests;

(E) fluid oil and gas waste recycling operators;

(F) commercial water recyclers and midstream water companies;

(G) landowners;

(H) owners of groundwater rights;

(I) public water utilities; and

(J) river authorities subject to Section 325.025, Government Code.

(c) The host university shall coordinate with other members of the state university system and state agencies to provide resources necessary for the consortium to meet the requirements of this subchapter.

Tex. Educ. Code § 109.204

Added by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 941,Sec. 1, eff. 6/18/2021.