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RRC Enforcement Actions Taken at Commissioners’ Dec. 6 Conference

December 09, 2016

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $556,237 in fines involving 180 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ conference earlier this week. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety. 

Operators were assessed $294,775 after failing to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings. Details on these Master Default Orders can be found on the RRC website here.

Operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules and assessed $49,212 for oil and gas and LP-Gas rule violations. Pipeline operators and excavators were assessed $212,250 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules.  Details on all these Master Agreed Orders can be found on the RRC website here.

In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders. 

For calendar year 2016, the Commission assessed a total of $8,651,857 in fines on 3,893 enforcement dockets. These include $416,033 in fines assessed in oil and gas protested dockets that went to hearing; $2,345,711 in penalties for Master Default Orders; $1,305,413 in fines for Master Agreed Orders and $4,584,700 for Pipeline Damage Prevention penalties. 

About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.