Notice to Oil & Gas and Pipeline Operators: Weather Emergency Preparedness Standards

On August 30, 2022, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) adopted 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §3.66, relating to Weather Emergency Preparedness Standards. The new rule implements changes made by Senate Bill 3, the 87th Legislature's sweeping response to the February 2021 Winter Weather Event ("Winter Storm Uri") in Texas, and generally creates a new law related to preparing for, preventing, and responding to weather emergencies and power outages. The rule is effective September 19, 2022.

The new rule applies to operators of gas supply chain facilities that are included on the electricity supply chain map created under Texas Utilities Code §38.203 and are designated as critical by the RRC in 16 TAC §3.65 (relating to Critical Designation of Natural Gas Infrastructure). Underground natural gas storage facilities and natural gas processing facilities are considered gas supply chain facilities.

The rule also applies to operators of gas pipeline facilities that are included on the electricity supply chain map and directly serve a natural gas electric generation facility operating solely to provide power to the electric grid for the ERCOT power region or for the ERCOT power region and an adjacent power region. If a facility is not included on the map, the requirements of new 16 TAC §3.66 do not apply to the facility.

An operator of facilities that are included on the electricity supply chain map will receive confidential correspondence from the RRC notifying the operator of the list of facilities contained on the map later this month.

To view the full notice, visit the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/tizaoozk/2022-nto-weather-emergency-preparedness-standards.pdf.