GPA testifies on Texas environmental regulations

Early this week, the Texas House of Representatives Environmental Regulation Committee met to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) carbon cutting Clean Energy Plan proposed by President Obama to battle greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed rule for existing power plants would mean that Texas would be required to cut its power plant carbon emissions by 41% by 2020. GPA Chairman of the Board Joel Moxley provided testimony during the hearings, and explained the need for regulatory certainty and its importance to the midstream energy sector.

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Moxley said, ‘when GPA last testified before your committee, we were here to urge your support for HB 788 allowing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to authorise greenhouse gas permits in the state of Texas. I want to tank you for supporting that HB 788 and voting it into passage. But a lot has changed since then.

‘With the inevitable increase in demand for natural gas that the Clean Power Plan will ultimately generate, regulatory certainty is paramount for this industry. Siting of pipeline, expansion of existing or construction of new gas processing plants all will be necessary components if EPA’s initiative under the Clean Power Plan is to be realised.

‘GPA applauds the Supreme Court decision and welcomes its impact on the industry. Because here is also what has changed: according to the Texas Pipeline Association’s (TPA) recent study done by Texas Tech University, the economic output by the midstream industry that spend US$ 33 billion in 2013 will spend US$ 374 billion over the next 10 years. The state of Texas has the highest rig count of any US state by a factor of over four. Wells need gathering pipelines, compressor stations, gas treating and processing to make oil and gas market ready and to transport to markets. More than ever before, out state’s economy will be propelled by this industry. The member companies of GPA and TPA stand ready to do their part; however, we can only do so in an environment of regulatory certainty.’

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/03102014/gpa-on-texas-environmental/