State natural-resources agencies brief Senate committee on produced water, well plugging and federal rule impacts

The Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday heard situational updates from three state agencies on produced water, orphan and inactive wells, carbon sequestration permitting and the effect of recent federal environmental rules.

The committee’s chair, Senator Brian Birdwell, opened the hearing and called for reports from Dawn Buckingham, Texas land commissioner and head of the General Land Office; Christie Craddock, chair of the Railroad Commission of Texas; and Kelly Keel, executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The committee adopted its standard committee rules by unanimous consent before testimony began; no member objected.

Why it matters: Produced water from oil and gas operations, leftover wastes, and federal environmental standards affect state revenues, public health protections and how Texas manages scarce water resources for agriculture and industry. Agency officials told senators they need additional staff and clearer statutory direction to implement new federal drinking-water and air-quality requirements, expand beneficial uses of produced water, and accelerate plugging of wells that pose environmental risk.

General Land Office: revenue and carbon projects Dawn Buckingham described the General Land Office’s (GLO) mineral-lease activity and efforts on carbon sequestration and produced-water projects. Buckingham said the…