Relating to a study by the Railroad Commission of Texas of the feasibility of converting abandoned or inactive oil and gas wells in Bexar County to geothermal energy production.

The text as introduced · 438 words

90R4924 CMO-D

By: Garcia of Bexar
H.B. No. 502

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Railroad Commission of Texas of the

feasibility of converting abandoned or inactive oil and gas wells

in Bexar County to geothermal energy production.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of

Texas.

(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning

assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(3) "State agency" means an agency, department, board,

commission, or other entity in the executive, legislative, or

judicial branch of state government.

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The commission shall conduct a study

to determine the feasibility of converting abandoned or inactive

oil and gas wells in Bexar County to geothermal energy production.

The study must:

(1) assess the number and list the location of

abandoned or inactive wells in Bexar County that might be

technically and economically suitable for conversion to geothermal

energy production;

(2) evaluate geological conditions, well depth,

temperature, infrastructure, and other factors that may affect the

geothermal viability of the wells described by Subdivision (1) of

this subsection;

(3) estimate the cost of converting wells described by

Subdivision (1) of this subsection and compare that to the cost of

plugging or otherwise remediating those wells;

(4) evaluate potential uses for geothermal energy

produced from converted wells, including electricity generation,

direct-use heating and cooling, and other commercial applications;

(5) evaluate the impact of converting wells described

by Subdivision (1) of this subsection on the environment and

groundwater and consider safety, ownership, and liability concerns

associated with conversion;

(6) identify statutory or regulatory barriers to

converting wells described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection;

(7) identify public and private funding opportunities

for demonstration projects relating to converting wells to

geothermal energy production; and

(8) provide recommendations for:

(A) establishing a pilot program in Bexar County

relating to converting wells described by Subdivision (1) of this

subsection;

(B) potential locations for the pilot program

described by Paragraph (A) of this subdivision; and

(C) relevant regulatory or legislative action.

(b) In conducting the study required under Subsection (a) of

this section, the commission may partner with appropriate state

agencies and research institutions, including an institution of

higher education.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2028, the

commission shall prepare and submit to the legislature a written

report of the findings of the study and the recommendations

required under Section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2029.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2027.