NATURAL RESOURCES CODE

CHAPTER 118. PIPELINE ASSESSMENT AND TESTING


	§ 118.001.  AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE PLAN FOR PIPELINE 
ASSESSMENT OR TESTING.  (a)  The Railroad Commission of Texas by 
rule may require an operator to file for commission approval a plan 
for assessment or testing of a pipeline if the commission finds 
that:
		(1)  there is reason to believe that the pipeline may 
present a hazard to public health or safety;
		(2)  the commission lacks adequate information to 
assess the risk to public health or safety presented by the 
pipeline;  or
		(3)  a plan is necessary for the commission to initiate 
or complete a pipeline safety investigation.
	(b)  The Railroad Commission of Texas may take enforcement 
action against a person who fails to:
		(1)  submit a required plan;  or                                              
		(2)  participate in a pipeline safety investigation.                          

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1233, § 62, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.       


	§ 118.002.  PIPELINES FOR WHICH PLAN MAY BE 
REQUIRED.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), the rules 
adopted under this chapter may apply to interstate pipelines, 
intrastate pipelines, portions of pipeline systems the regulation 
of which the federal government has temporarily delegated to the 
Railroad Commission of Texas, or gathering lines, and to pipelines 
for the transportation of any substance or material under the 
jurisdiction of the commission, as specified by the commission.
	(b)  Exempted from the application of this chapter are 
gathering lines outside:
		(1)  the limits of an incorporated or unincorporated 
city or village;       
		(2)  any designated residential or commercial area such 
as residential subdivisions, businesses, shopping centers, or 
community development.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1233, § 62, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1273, § 1, eff. June 
21, 2003.


	§ 118.003.  CONTENTS OF PLAN.  The rules adopted under 
this chapter may require that a plan include:
		(1)  an identification of risk factors associated with 
a pipeline system, including population density;
		(2)  information about previous inspections and 
maintenance;                
		(3)  information about pressure tests;                                        
		(4)  information about leaks;                                                 
		(5)  information about operating characteristics;                             
		(6)  information about corrosion protection methods;  
and                   
		(7)  other information that may assist the Railroad 
Commission of Texas in assessing the risk to public health or safety 
presented by the pipeline.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1233, § 62, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.       


	§ 118.004.  APPROVAL OF PLAN.  The Railroad Commission of 
Texas may approve a plan that complies with rules adopted under this 
chapter.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1233, § 62, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.       


	§ 118.005.  CONSEQUENCES OF PLAN APPROVAL.  The approval 
of a plan by the Railroad Commission of Texas does not constitute a 
certification or representation that the pipeline is in compliance 
with or exempt from applicable safety standards.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1233, § 62, eff. Sept. 1, 
2001.