Notice to Oil & Gas and Pipeline Operators: Rules Adopted for Critical Designation of Natural Gas Infrastructure

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has adopted rules to implement a process for designating certain natural gas entities as critical during an energy emergency as specified in Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 3648 passed by the 87th Legislature (Regular Session). The adopted rules are effective on December 20, 2021.

On November 30, 2021, the RRC Commissioners adopted proposed new rule 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §3.65, relating to Critical Designation of Natural Gas Infrastructure, and amendments to 16 TAC §3.107, relating to Penalty Guidelines for Oil and Gas Violations. To view the adopted rules, visit the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/general-counsel/rules/proposed-rules/ under “Chapter 3: Oil and Gas.”

In conjunction with the adopted rules, the RRC has also adopted two new forms related to 16 TAC §3.65.

• Form CI-D, Acknowledgement of Critical Customer/Critical Gas Supplier Designation, and its attachment would be submitted by an operator of a facility designated as critical acknowledging the facility’s critical status.
• Form CI-X, Critical Designation Exception Application, and its attachment would be submitted by an operator certifying a facility seeks an exception to critical designation because the facility is not prepared to operate in a weather emergency.

To view the full notice, visit the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/senbems5/2021_nto_critical-designation-rules-and-forms-infrastructure-division.pdf.