The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
December 27, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TBPG has instituted some changes to its
operations, and has extended its temporary CE Policy through February 28, 2021. For more information goto: https://tbpg.state.tx.us/covid-19/tbpg-response-to-covid-19/
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Tucked into the massive $2.3 trillion spending bill that passed both houses of Congress late Monday is a $75 million provision that could provide a big boost to the domestic uranium industry. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which funds $900 billion in corona virus relief and appropriates $1.4 trillion in government spending, also would create a U.S. uranium reserve that was recommended earlier this year by the Trump-appointed Nuclear Fuel Working Group.
Over 90% of uranium used in nuclear power plants in the United States is imported from abroad, and the working group originally recommended the appropriation of $150 million per year for 10 years to build up a supply of domestically mined uranium in order to protect national security interests. The stockpile would be used to supply power plants and the nation’s nuclear-powered naval fleet. The passage of the legislation was immediately celebrated by uranium mining companies.
The creation of a taxpayer-funded reserve is supported by mining companies and opposed by environmental groups.
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The Texas Legislature will be back in session January 12, 2021 through May 31, 2021. On November 9, 2020 bills began to be filed. New bills and information are shown in bold.
HB 632, by Darby, Relating to the establishment of an advisory committee for the TexNet seismic monitoring program. Filed 11/23/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB632
HB 666, by Harris, Companion bills HB 668 (Duplicate) and SB 152 (Identical), Relating to the regulation of groundwater conservation districts. A person with groundwater ownership and rights may petition the district to adopt modify a rule. This bill lists what the petition must contain. Filed 11/30/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB666
HB 668, by Harris, Companion bills HB 666 (Duplicate) and SB 152 (Identical), Relating to the regulation of groundwater conservation districts. A person with groundwater ownership and rights may petition the district to adopt modify a rule. This bill lists what the petition must contain. Filed 11/30/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB668
HB 714, by Reynolds, Relating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Filed 12/3/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB669
HB 858, by Dutton, Relating to the carcinogenic risk level used in the development of certain environmental remediation benchmarks. "The commission shall set each carcinogenic risk level used by the commission in the development of a protective concentration level, risk-based exposure limit, or any other remediation standard used in connection with this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter, including the Texas Risk Reduction Program (30 T.A.C. Chapter 350) or a similar program established by the commission, at a rate not greater than one in one million." Filed 12/17/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB858
HB 860, by Collier, Relating to changes to an application for an environmental permit before a contested case hearing on the application. Filed 12/17/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB860
HB 896, by Reynolds, Relating to air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities. Filed 12/21/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB896
HB 897, by Reynolds, Relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements for air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities. Filed 12/21/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB897
SB 152, by Perry, Companion bills HB 665 (Identical) and HB 668 (Identical), Relating to the regulation of groundwater conservation districts. A person with groundwater ownership and rights may petition the district to adopt modify a rule. This bill lists what the petition must contain. Filed 11/10/2020. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=SB152
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
12/27/2020