New legislation in Texas that requires Railroad Commission of Texas to inspect oilfield utility poles was supported by Texas Oil and Gas Association and Permian Basin Petroleum Association. Ben Shepperd, president of PBAA, told Midland Reporter Telegram, “The Permian Basin Petroleum Association supported HB 143 to address the catastrophic Panhandle fires last year. This bill is designed to strengthen the oversight of neglected electricity infrastructure and reduce the associated wildfire risk.”
Todd Staples, president of TXOGA, added, “Safety is a top priority for our leading oil and gas companies.”
Two other related bills signed into law were HB 144 to require public electric utilities to develop a plan for managing and inspecting distribution poles and give PUC oversight of these plans and HB 145 to require utilities to develop wildfire mitigation plans.
Leave a Reply