HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3692-12-2008A RESOLUTION
NO 3692-12-2008
URGING LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO APPROPRIATE
FUNDS TO THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS TO
IMPROVE INSPECTION AND OVERSIGHT OF EXISTING,
PROPOSED, AND ABANDONED WELLS AND PIPELINES
IN THE BARNETT SHALE
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is a home-rule municipal corporation
located in Tarrant, Denton, Wise, and Parker Counties, created in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code and operating pursuant to the
enabling legislation of the State of Texas, and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas through the Railroad Commission of Texas has
overall regulatory responsibility for the safety of gas wells and gas pipelines under its
~unsdiction m the United States, and
WHEREAS, the Texas Railroad Commission has primary ~unsdiction over all
persons owning or operating pipelines and natural gas wells in Texas and may by rule
prescribe or adopt safety standards for the production and transportation of gas wells and gas
pipeline facilities, and
WHEREAS, a municipality or a county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance that
establishes a safety standard or practice applicable to gas wells or pipelines that are regulated
under State law• and
WHEREAS, the preemption of local regulation constrains the ability of the public
to participate through their locally elected officials to tailor policies to meet the needs of
their city and address the concerns of its citizens related to gas well and pipeline location and
safety and
WHEREAS, with the recent developments of rmneral reserves within the Barnett
Shale, gas producing companies have drilled more than 1.000 wells and a comprehensive
pipeline infrastructure m the City limits of Fort Worth adjacent to residential, commercial
and industrial land uses, and
WHEREAS, municipalities, due to preemption, are limited in their ability to
respond effectively to public safety concerns regarding gas well and pipeline construction
and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the Railroad Commission of Texas assigns more than 4,500 wells to
each gas well inspector and 6,240 miles of pipeline for each pipeline inspector resulting in
many wells never receiving an inspection for adherence to safety standards mandated by
State law• and
RESOLUTION NO 3692-12-2008
WHEREAS, the Railroad Commission of Texas relies heavily upon self-reporting
of gas well and pipeline operators for compliance with State standards and periodic audits to
validate the performance of gas well operators; and
WHEREAS, the Railroad Commission of Texas reported 9,500 gas wells Statewide
that are orphaned.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT
SECTION 1
The City Council of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, respectfully requests and urges
the State Legislature to revisit the prudence and continued appropriateness of the htntted
resources available to the Railroad Commission of Texas to inspect and oversee gas wells
and gas pipelines, and respectfully requests that the State Legislature appropriate additional
resources for the Railroad Commission of Texas to perform its prescribed duties in order to
safeguard the interests of the public, allow the appropriate development of the state s natural
resources and preserve the long-term economic viability of private and public property
SECTION 2.
This Resolution shall be effective from its date of adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Fort Worth, Texas,
on the 9th day of December 2008
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~~~< `~~~,,~, ~"",, ~~,~r~ Mike nef, Ma or
ATTEST +"'~ ~ ~' `" ~ APPR ,vE~
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Marty Hendrix, Crt Secretary " "~ ~~~ ® ~~08
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APPROVED AS ,TO FORM.AND LEGALITY City °f ~ h,
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City Attorney ~