Railroad Commission of Texas recently adopted new rules to regulate oil and gas waste management facilities in the state. Commissioners adopted the new rules at their meeting Dec. 17, 2024, after extensive reviews of public comments and stakeholder input. The regulations cover waste from oil and gas operations and waste from other operations for which the legislature has given RRC jurisdiction, including geothermal, carbon sequestration and brine mining wells.
Christy Craddick, R-Midland, chairman, said, “After a yearslong process and with thoughtful and thorough deliberation from the public, agency experts and industry stakeholders, I am proud to report the Railroad Commission has passed its first overhaul of waste management rules in 40 years.”
The new rules will help the commission continue to safeguard groundwater and surface water while adapting to modern waste management practices such as recycling produced water and recent advancements in production methods.
The new waste management rules are available on the RRC website.