WEBVTT
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Railroad Commission of Texas will come to order
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to consider matters which have been duly posted
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with the Secretary of State for May 22nd, 2018.
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The Commission will consider the items
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on the agenda as posted on the agenda
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and our public participation policy,
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anyone desiring to offer a public testimony
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on any items that are not noticed on today's agenda
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will need to fill out a testimony form
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found in the back of the room
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and submit it to Commission Secretary, Cathy Way,
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who is to my left over here,
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and remember to turn off your cell phones.
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item number one.
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Good morning.
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Can I just turn my ringer off?
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Whatever, as long as it isn't buzzing.
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(laughing)
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Good morning, Sarah.
Good morning,
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Chairman and Commissioners.
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For the record, my name is Sara Montoya-Fogelsong,
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and I am representing the Market Oversight Section
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of the Oversight and Safety Division.
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Agenda item number one today is an order
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nunc pro tunc in Gas Utilities Docket Number 10647,
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Application of Comanche Trail Pipeline, LLC,
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pursuant to NGPA, Section 311, for review
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of reasonableness of a transportation rate.
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On April 24th, 2018, the Commission signed an order
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in GUD Number 10647, approving the reasonableness
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of rates for interruptible transportation service,
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firm transportation service, and park and loan service.
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Finding of Fact Number 8, Conclusion of Law Number 5,
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and Ordering Paragraph Number 2 all contained
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a daily demand charge of 20 cents per MMBtu
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for firm transportation service.
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The daily demand charge for firm transportation service
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should have been 15 cents per MMBtu.
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This order nunc pro tunc corrects the daily demand charge
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for firm transportation service,
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and staff recommends that the Commission adopt this order.
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May I answer any questions?
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Thank you, Sarah,
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are there any questions?
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Nope.
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I move we approve the examiner's recommendation.
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Is there a second?
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Second.
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Second current by Commissioner Sitton.
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All in favor say aye.
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Aye.
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Motion passes, items approved.
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Thank you.
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item number two.
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Morning, Frank.
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Morning.
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Madam Chairman, Commissioners, good morning.
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I'm Frank Tomicek with the Oversight and Safety Division.
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This morning's next agenda item is Gas Utilities Docket
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Number 10693, application made by Atmos Pipeline Texas,
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for a Test Year 2017 Annual Interim Adjustment.
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This is the second interim rate adjustment
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since the company's last rate case in
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GUD Number 10580,
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which set the interim rate adjustment factors,
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and, in this filing, Atmos Pipiline
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has also made a voluntary adjustment
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to its IRA request to reflect tax rate of 21%
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in accordance with the Tax Cuts
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and Jobs Act of 2017
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and the resulting proposed IRA rates in this docket,
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additionally incorporate a rate reduction
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approved administratively in GUD 10704,
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which reduced the previous IRA rates
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for changes in the tax rates
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as per the Commissions accounting order
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in GUD 10695 from this past February.
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Using those factors
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and adjustments the companies identified,
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a test year incremental revenue requirement
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of approximately $42,173,277,
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which will be recovered from
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their tariff rate CGS and PT customers
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under the proposed rate adjustment.
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Staff's review of the filing
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has found it to be compliant with
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the provisions of GRIP statutes,
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and staff is recommending approval
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and I can address any questions at this time.
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Thank you, Frank.
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Are there any questions?
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I move we approve the examiner's recommendation,
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is there a second?
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Second.
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Second by Commissioner Christian.
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All in favor say aye.
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Aye.
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Motion passes, items approved.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Good morning John.
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Morning.
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Good morning, Chairman and Commissioners.
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I'm Admnistrative Law Judge, John Dawson, Hearings Division.
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Agenda item three, GUD 10669 consolidated,
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is a Gas Utility rate case filed by CenterPoint
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to increase rates in its South Texas division.
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Three parties intervened,
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Commission staff and two separate coalitions of cities.
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Ultimately the parties reached a settlement
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resolving all issues.
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In the settlement, the parties agreed to a decrease
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of three million dollars from current revenues
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in the South Texas division.
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Prior to settling, CenterPoint requested
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a revenue increase of approximately $500,000.
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A reduction of a corporate income tax rate
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from 35% to 21% due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
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and cost of equity set at 9.8%.
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We recommend approval of the settlement,
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and no parties filed PFT exemptions.
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In addition to the environs,
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the Commission has original jurisdiction
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over the rates in 18 cities
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that ceded jurisdiction to the Commission
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and appellate jurisdiction over rates
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in four cities that took up action
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at the municipal level.
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The deadline for Commission action is June 19th,
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so we're a bit early.
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We're available for questions.
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Thank you.
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Are there any questions?
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Nope.
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I move we approve the examiner's recommendation.
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Is there a second?
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Second.
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Second, Commissioner Sitton.
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All in favor say aye.
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Aye.
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Motion passed with items approved.
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Thank you, John.
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Number four. Morning, Kyle.
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Good morning, Commissioners.
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Kyle Lebby,
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Administrative Law Judge with the Hearings Division.
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Item four is an application by ALCOA USA Corp.
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requesting Phase One, Two, and Three release
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of reclamation obligations for 130 acres
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at the Sandow Mine, Permit Number 1G,
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located in Milam and Lee Counties.
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Acreage requested for release,
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comprised entirely of 130-acre facility,
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referred to as the AX Landfill.
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The facility is authorized by the Texas Commission
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on Environmental Quality for disposal
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of Non-Hazardous Class Two and Three Waste.
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The postmining land use for the subject's acreage
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is industrial/commercial.
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Evidence in the record indicates
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reclamation has been accomplished
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in accordance with the approved permit
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and the regulations.
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After notice, no comments or requests
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for hearings were received.
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Our coaling staff were the only parties to the proceeding,
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and no exceptions were filed.
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No changes to the current bond instruments is requested
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in this docket.
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Full release of the acreage is recommended,
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along with an eligible bond reduction amount
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of $737,022.
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I'm available for questions.
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Thank you, are there any questions?
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Nope.
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I move we approve the examiner's recommendation.
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Is there a second?
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Second.
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Second, Commissioner Christian.
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All in favor, say, "Aye."
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Aye.
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Motion passes, items approved.
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Number five.
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Good morning, Commissioners.
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My name is Steven Leary, Administrative Law Judge
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of the Hearings Division.
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Item five is an application by San Miguel
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Electric Cooperative and incorporated for release
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of phase one reclamation obligations for 484.6 acres
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within the San Miguel sea-area mine, permit 52A,
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located in Atascosa County.
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The approved postmining land use for the subject acreage
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is pasture land.
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There are no permanent structures
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within the proposed released area.
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The evidence shows that the acreage has been back-filled
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and re-graded to the approximate original contour
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and that drainage control has been established
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as required for phase one release.
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Public notice and other required notices were provided.
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No request for a hearing or public comment were filed.
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San Miguel does not request a reduction in the bond amount
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at this time
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and that the approved reclamation cost estimate
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was calculated using the worst-case pit method,
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which assumes that mining and reclamation operations
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are contemporaneous with the reclamation plan.
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San Miguel and staff are the only parties
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to the proceeding.
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No exceptions were filed in response to the proposed order.
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I recommend approval of the proposed order,
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and I'm available to answer questions.
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Thank you, are there any questions?
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I move we approve the examiner's recommendation.
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Is there a second?
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Second.
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Second, Commissioner Sitton.
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All in favor, say "Aye."
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Aye.
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Motion passes, items approved.
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Morning, Jennifer.
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Good morning.
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Items six through nine are MIPA applications,
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heard at the same time and presented together in one PFD
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because they have common facts,
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parties and legal issues.
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I am presenting them together today
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and will provide one order.
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Ammonite Oil and Gas Corporation filed four applications
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under the Mineral Interest Pooling Act, or MIPA,
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three requesting the pool at its least acreage
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into a unit for an already-drilled horizontal well
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on Apache Corporation's Apache Pelican Unit.
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Ammonite's fourth application is for a proposed well
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on the Apache Unit.
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Apache requests the applications be denied.
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Ammonite asserts the proposed pooling will prevent waste
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and protect correlative rights.
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Ammonite claims its leased riverbed tract
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should be pooled such that the Apache unit
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will be divided into five approximately equal portions,
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four to be MIPA units,
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each pooled with the corresponding segment
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of Ammonite's riverbed tract.
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The riverbed tract at issue traces the boundary
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of the Apache unit facing the river.
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It meanders and, consequently, is non-linear.
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Ammonite argues, due to the shape of the tract,
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it is not technically ergonomically feasible
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to drill a well to produce the underlying minerals,
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and the tract must be pooled for its tract,
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its mineral interest owners to obtain their fair share
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of minerals and prevent waste.
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Apache asserts there should be no forced pooling
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in this case.
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Apache claims the drilled wells do not produce minerals
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from Ammonite's riverbed tract.
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There is no drainage, and Ammonite's acreage provides
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no contribution to production.
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Apache claims Ammonite's voluntary pooling offer
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is not fair and reasonable.
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It provided no benefit to Apache.
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It would cause Apache to incur additional costs
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for additional equipment,
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would cause lease line spacing problems,
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and unfairly dilute
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the Apache unit mineral interest owner's portion.
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Apache further asserts pooling will not prevent waste
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or protect correlative rights.
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Pooling will not impact the amount of hydrocarbons produced
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or lost, so waste is not an issue.
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Apache asserts pooling will not protect correlative rights
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because the Ammonite tract minerals are still in place
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beneath the Ammonite tract.
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In fact, Apache asserts pooling will negatively impact
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the Apache unit mineral interest owner's correlative rights
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by taking minerals produced solely
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from under the Apache unit and giving a portion to Ammonite.
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Apache further asserts that the offer
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concerning proposed well is not fair and reasonable
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because it is vague and indefinite,
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and there was no expert testimony
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or substantive information established
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that pooling will prevent waste,
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protect correlative rights,
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or prevent the drilling of unnecessary wells.
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The examiners recommend that the Commission
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find as follows:
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there is insufficient evidence
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a fair and reasonable offer was made.
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Ammonite has failed to demonstrate
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the proposed pooled units will prevent waste,
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protect correlative rights, or prevent the drilling
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of unnecessary wells,
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and there is no sufficient description
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of the proposed units in the record.
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The examiners recommend the Commission
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dismiss and deny the applications.
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Thank you, are there any questions?
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I do have a question.
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Jennifer, in the PFD, you go through a lot of analysis
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on what makes an offer reasonable, fair and reasonable,
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and then also about drilling unnecessary wells.
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One of the issues that I'm afraid we've gotten into
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is this issue of drainage,
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and I wanna talk about that for a second
00:11:05.230 --> 00:11:06.063
and ask you a question.
00:11:06.063 --> 00:11:08.440
So, on page five of the PFD, you list out
00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:11.340
the nine criteria for an applicant to prevail
00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.343
on a MIPA case.
00:11:13.950 --> 00:11:15.700
I won't go through them all,
00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:19.490
but none of them specifically mention drainage,
00:11:19.490 --> 00:11:21.020
and as we've talked about in the past,
00:11:21.020 --> 00:11:25.140
one of the considerations in the MIPA statute is that
00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:31.090
it is intended to prompt large tract owners
00:11:31.090 --> 00:11:33.190
to negotiate in good faith with small tract owners
00:11:33.190 --> 00:11:35.510
so we don't leave those stranded.
00:11:35.510 --> 00:11:38.730
So, long story short, I agree with the assessment
00:11:38.730 --> 00:11:39.757
that when we talked about breaking these up
00:11:39.757 --> 00:11:41.390
and the amount of additional equipment
00:11:41.390 --> 00:11:42.603
that Apache would have had to put in place.
00:11:42.603 --> 00:11:44.477
I don't think these make sense to pool,
00:11:44.477 --> 00:11:46.683
but what I have a concern with is that,
00:11:48.110 --> 00:11:51.853
page 17 of the PFD, I think it is.
00:11:53.662 --> 00:11:56.620
17 and 18, you spent quite a bit of time talking about
00:11:57.630 --> 00:11:59.600
lack of drainage?
00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:01.200
Which, if a well has already been drilled,
00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:02.680
then you're not gonna drain those units,
00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.740
and I don't think,
00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:07.220
I don't believe that that's required by the MIPA statute,
00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:10.570
so, my question is, why did we discuss drainage so much
00:12:10.570 --> 00:12:14.650
if it's not actually required in one of the nine points
00:12:14.650 --> 00:12:17.000
required for a MIPA applicant to be successful?
00:12:18.804 --> 00:12:20.350
A couple things come to mind.
00:12:20.350 --> 00:12:23.710
One is that it's a factor to consider because it goes
00:12:23.710 --> 00:12:26.640
to whether the tract to be pooled will
00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:31.010
benefit, or bring some benefit,
00:12:31.010 --> 00:12:35.530
and the Broussard case, which is a case that is
00:12:35.530 --> 00:12:37.040
an appellate case.
00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:39.590
They found, my understanding,
00:12:39.590 --> 00:12:42.020
is that they thought the lack of drainage
00:12:42.020 --> 00:12:45.650
and the lack of contributing production
00:12:45.650 --> 00:12:48.930
was an important factor in their mind
00:12:48.930 --> 00:12:51.640
in determining that the offer was fair and reasonable,
00:12:51.640 --> 00:12:56.640
so I did consider it as a factor
00:12:56.830 --> 00:13:00.730
when looking at the MIPA applications in this case,
00:13:00.730 --> 00:13:01.940
and I agree with you,
00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:04.020
the word "drainage" is not in the statute.
00:13:04.020 --> 00:13:07.020
Well, being more specific, if
00:13:07.020 --> 00:13:08.490
lack of drainage,
00:13:08.490 --> 00:13:10.060
in other words, if I go out and drill a well
00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:11.810
and it's not draining anybody else's minerals,
00:13:11.810 --> 00:13:15.020
then I'm not incentivized to negotiate with them
00:13:15.020 --> 00:13:15.853
in good faith,
00:13:15.853 --> 00:13:16.720
because as long as I don't drill a well
00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.397
that touches their units,
00:13:18.397 --> 00:13:22.270
they can't force me later to pool with them,
00:13:22.270 --> 00:13:25.760
and I think, in the past, as we looked at prior cases
00:13:25.760 --> 00:13:26.930
that have come before the Railroad Commission
00:13:26.930 --> 00:13:28.130
that hasn't been a requirement,
00:13:28.130 --> 00:13:30.320
so that if someone didn't negotiate in good faith
00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.810
went ahead and drilled a well,
00:13:31.810 --> 00:13:33.430
we would force them to pool
00:13:33.430 --> 00:13:35.840
because they didn't negotiate in good faith.
00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:38.270
Now, in this case, as I said, I think that the offer,
00:13:38.270 --> 00:13:40.510
I'm not arguing against the findings in this case,
00:13:40.510 --> 00:13:43.690
I support the fact that these shouldn't be granted because
00:13:43.690 --> 00:13:45.800
there's a separate issue here,
00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:48.180
which is, even during the,
00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:51.740
they talked about the positioning of the tracts
00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.730
and that even if they had drilled those wells,
00:13:53.730 --> 00:13:55.380
because they weren't perpendicular
00:13:55.380 --> 00:13:57.300
to the Apache tracts,
00:13:57.300 --> 00:14:00.000
their fractures couldn't have penetrated the Ammonite,
00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.840
Ammonite leases,
00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.700
so I think, in that case,
00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:05.980
the fact that there was no possible way to get the minerals,
00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.050
that's a different thing,
00:14:07.050 --> 00:14:09.180
but if they already drilled the wells,
00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:11.930
and now they're not getting any drainage,
00:14:11.930 --> 00:14:13.800
I don't think that's part of the MIPA statute,
00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:15.180
and I think we have to preserve that.
00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:17.470
Otherwise, we're not incentivizing
00:14:17.470 --> 00:14:19.460
large mineral, large tract owners
00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:20.780
to negotiate with small tract owners.
00:14:20.780 --> 00:14:23.430
That's a pretty important factor
00:14:23.430 --> 00:14:25.290
in how we consider these cases.
00:14:25.290 --> 00:14:28.940
So, long story short, I agree with the findings.
00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.740
What I don't agree with is that drainage is part
00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.238
of the consideration because I don't think
00:14:32.238 --> 00:14:34.120
that that was considered in the statute,
00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.630
and it was specifically left out.
00:14:35.630 --> 00:14:38.160
Once again, if I don't negotiate in good faith,
00:14:38.160 --> 00:14:39.030
I go drill the well,
00:14:39.030 --> 00:14:41.590
yeah, I may not be draining these guys' minerals,
00:14:41.590 --> 00:14:42.710
if there's no penalty,
00:14:42.710 --> 00:14:45.030
there's no ability to come back later and still pool them,
00:14:45.030 --> 00:14:46.717
then I've got no incentive to negotiate in good faith,
00:14:46.717 --> 00:14:48.280
and I think that's a really important part
00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:49.280
of the MIPA statute.
00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.330
So, I'll vote for this,
00:14:52.330 --> 00:14:53.460
but I'm thinking that,
00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:57.780
I wanna make sure that we're not raising the bar
00:14:57.780 --> 00:14:59.890
artificially outside of what's in the statute here
00:14:59.890 --> 00:15:01.630
that, no, drainage of actual minerals
00:15:01.630 --> 00:15:02.857
is not required here,
00:15:02.857 --> 00:15:04.550
and if we start to raise that bar,
00:15:04.550 --> 00:15:07.400
then we're going to dis-incentivize good faith negotiations,
00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:08.233
which we don't wanna do.
00:15:08.233 --> 00:15:09.840
That will cause waste in the future.
00:15:13.076 --> 00:15:14.613
Are there any other questions?
00:15:14.613 --> 00:15:15.730
We have a party,
00:15:15.730 --> 00:15:17.347
one of the parties is here if you've got any questions
00:15:17.347 --> 00:15:18.849
for parties.
00:15:18.849 --> 00:15:19.682
I don't.
00:15:19.682 --> 00:15:20.515
Okay.
00:15:20.515 --> 00:15:22.620
Alright, I move we approve the examiner's recommendation
00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:24.200
for six, seven, eight, and nine.
00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.033
Is there a second?
00:15:25.033 --> 00:15:25.866
Second.
00:15:25.866 --> 00:15:26.910
Second, Commissioner Christian.
00:15:26.910 --> 00:15:28.153
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:15:28.153 --> 00:15:29.000
Aye.
00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.870
Motion passes.
00:15:29.870 --> 00:15:31.401
Those items are approved.
00:15:31.401 --> 00:15:33.240
Thank you, and you had just one order, correct, Jennifer?
00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.073
Yes.
00:15:34.073 --> 00:15:35.267
Okay, great. Thanks, Jennifer.
00:15:37.010 --> 00:15:39.350
In item 10, Mike Smith filed a complaint
00:15:39.350 --> 00:15:40.350
requesting the Commission
00:15:40.350 --> 00:15:42.889
order Targa Midstreams Services, LLC,
00:15:42.889 --> 00:15:46.502
and/or ConocoPhillips Company to remediate hydrocarbon
00:15:46.502 --> 00:15:51.470
contamination complainant found on his land near a pond.
00:15:51.470 --> 00:15:53.790
Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company, LP,
00:15:53.790 --> 00:15:56.450
sought to intervene as the true party in interest
00:15:56.450 --> 00:15:58.010
instead of Conoco.
00:15:58.010 --> 00:16:01.290
Without objection, Burlington was admitted as a party.
00:16:01.290 --> 00:16:03.340
Commission staff participated and requests
00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:05.223
that responsible persons be required to do
00:16:05.223 --> 00:16:07.710
further assessment of the contamination
00:16:07.710 --> 00:16:10.743
and remediate to regulatory standards as necessary.
00:16:11.610 --> 00:16:13.270
Issues in this case include, one,
00:16:13.270 --> 00:16:16.240
which, if any, parties have regulatory responsibility
00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:18.520
to remediate the pond contamination and compliance
00:16:18.520 --> 00:16:20.240
with Commission rules and statutes?
00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:23.210
And two, what, if any, actions such as delineation
00:16:23.210 --> 00:16:26.603
assessment or remediation is required to be performed?
00:16:27.910 --> 00:16:29.550
Burlington has released the mineral rights
00:16:29.550 --> 00:16:31.080
known as the Fox Lease
00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:34.550
and is the operator of several of Fox leased wells
00:16:34.550 --> 00:16:36.140
near the pond site.
00:16:36.140 --> 00:16:38.370
Targa operates the gas gathering lines
00:16:38.370 --> 00:16:40.400
from wells on complainant's property,
00:16:40.400 --> 00:16:42.410
one of which is approximately 100 feet
00:16:42.410 --> 00:16:45.860
from where the hydrocarbons were originally discovered.
00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:48.120
Complainant asserts neither Targa nor Burlington
00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.160
has delineated the contamination discovered
00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:52.640
in complainant's bond as required.
00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:54.650
There was and remains an environmental condition
00:16:54.650 --> 00:16:56.370
requiring response action,
00:16:56.370 --> 00:16:58.920
such as further assessment and remediation.
00:16:58.920 --> 00:17:01.030
Complainant argues Targa and/or Burlington
00:17:01.030 --> 00:17:04.080
should have to fund the necessary response actions.
00:17:04.080 --> 00:17:06.130
Staff asserts Targa should be responsible
00:17:06.130 --> 00:17:08.090
for further delineation of the contamination
00:17:08.090 --> 00:17:10.075
and remediation if necessary.
00:17:10.075 --> 00:17:13.140
Targa maintains further remediation is not necessary,
00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:15.780
and if any additional delineation or remediation
00:17:15.780 --> 00:17:18.780
is necessary, then Targa believes it should be performed
00:17:18.780 --> 00:17:21.880
by either Burlington or by the state using state funds.
00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:23.900
Targa asserts there is insufficient evidence
00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:26.690
that Targa caused the contamination.
00:17:26.690 --> 00:17:28.760
Burlington asserts there is no evidence Burlington
00:17:28.760 --> 00:17:30.490
caused the pond contamination,
00:17:30.490 --> 00:17:32.700
and it is not responsible to investigate or remediate
00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.333
contamination it did not cause.
00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:37.710
The examiners recommend the Commission conclude
00:17:37.710 --> 00:17:40.270
that it does have discretion to hold Targa and/or Burlington
00:17:40.270 --> 00:17:41.450
responsible for compliance
00:17:41.450 --> 00:17:43.563
with regulatory remediation standards.
00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:48.660
The examiners recommend, based on the evidence in this case,
00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:51.008
that Targa be ordered to assess, and, if necessary,
00:17:51.008 --> 00:17:53.290
remediate contamination in accordance
00:17:53.290 --> 00:17:55.050
with regulatory standards
00:17:55.050 --> 00:17:57.390
under the direction of the Commission staff.
00:17:57.390 --> 00:17:59.560
Exceptions and replies were filed,
00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:01.273
and I am available for questions.
00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:04.970
Thank you, are there any questions?
00:18:04.970 --> 00:18:07.380
We've got all three parties are here
00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:09.500
if you've got any questions for parties.
00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:12.545
Okay, I've got one question and a comment.
00:18:12.545 --> 00:18:16.580
I am concerned that this is pretty open-ended,
00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:18.770
and so while you've put 180 days,
00:18:18.770 --> 00:18:20.340
I'm concerned we don't have a plan,
00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:23.291
and I'd like to remand it back just to let all parties
00:18:23.291 --> 00:18:24.740
comment on the plans
00:18:25.910 --> 00:18:27.013
about how we're gonna clean this up,
00:18:27.013 --> 00:18:29.750
because I think this has sat for long enough,
00:18:29.750 --> 00:18:31.670
and we need to get this cleaned up.
00:18:31.670 --> 00:18:34.940
So, I've got a remand,
00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.450
but I've got a time limit,
00:18:36.450 --> 00:18:38.114
and it's for a specific,
00:18:38.114 --> 00:18:38.947
if I can read it
Yeah.
00:18:38.947 --> 00:18:40.543
and let y'all comment.
00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:45.120
I move that we remand this case for the limited purpose
00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:47.650
of reopening the hearing to allow the parties,
00:18:47.650 --> 00:18:49.210
including our staff,
00:18:49.210 --> 00:18:53.140
an opportunity to offer specific assessment delineation
00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.910
and remediation plans,
00:18:54.910 --> 00:18:57.700
and that any plans be submitted to the examiners
00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:00.310
within 60 days from today,
00:19:00.310 --> 00:19:01.760
and I'll be glad to give you a copy of that
00:19:01.760 --> 00:19:02.595
if you need it.
00:19:02.595 --> 00:19:03.428
Okay, thank you.
00:19:03.428 --> 00:19:05.550
And mainly because I think it's just too open-ended.
00:19:05.550 --> 00:19:07.010
I think you're going the right direction,
00:19:07.010 --> 00:19:08.800
but I think this looks real broad to me,
00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:10.993
and I'd like an end game for this,
00:19:10.993 --> 00:19:13.100
because I've seen problems where we just
00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:14.550
never seem to get things finished,
00:19:14.550 --> 00:19:15.383
and so,
00:19:15.383 --> 00:19:19.843
that's my motion if there's any discussion.
00:19:21.870 --> 00:19:23.120
Just a question.
00:19:25.430 --> 00:19:30.430
So the idea is have staff put together a more specific,
00:19:30.710 --> 00:19:33.530
because in their order it's not do any necessarily
00:19:33.530 --> 00:19:34.363
remediation rights.
00:19:34.363 --> 00:19:36.700
It's just a test right now, assess right now.
00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:39.390
What I'm asking for in my remand is staff and/or
00:19:39.390 --> 00:19:41.280
the parties, all three parties,
00:19:41.280 --> 00:19:43.150
can come in and say, "This is how we think
00:19:43.150 --> 00:19:44.020
it oughta be cleaned up,"
00:19:44.020 --> 00:19:46.430
so we have a specific plan going forward.
00:19:46.430 --> 00:19:47.860
None of them have to come in.
00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:48.760
They don't have to,
00:19:48.760 --> 00:19:52.100
but I'd like to see what we're gonna do.
00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:53.350
I'd like some specifics,
00:19:53.350 --> 00:19:56.720
because what you've ordered in your final order,
00:19:56.720 --> 00:20:00.520
it's ordered within 180 days of this order becoming final
00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:03.100
for Targa to assess, delineate, and, if necessary,
00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:05.270
remediate the contamination site.
00:20:05.270 --> 00:20:07.670
I appreciate that, but I think we need a real plan
00:20:07.670 --> 00:20:08.503
going forward.
00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:11.890
I guess my question is,
00:20:11.890 --> 00:20:13.040
part of the assessment,
00:20:16.729 --> 00:20:19.380
I'm thinking about how do we,
00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:22.400
how do we expect them to put together a clean-up plan,
00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.260
as you're calling it,
00:20:23.260 --> 00:20:24.860
if they haven't assessed yet?
00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:26.620
Well I think that's part of what they're gonna do
00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:31.360
is assess and give us some real facts and information.
00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:32.620
So how long, what's the timeline?
00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.740
60 days.
00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.573
So the question is,
00:20:34.573 --> 00:20:36.363
is that long enough to go out and do,
00:20:37.260 --> 00:20:38.750
so I guess we need one order.
00:20:38.750 --> 00:20:41.290
With the understanding you might see other things
00:20:41.290 --> 00:20:42.130
as you get into this,
00:20:42.130 --> 00:20:44.520
but I think part of what you said,
00:20:44.520 --> 00:20:45.700
and I think all parties agree,
00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:49.070
is that we need to delineate this site better,
00:20:49.070 --> 00:20:50.490
so I think that could be done,
00:20:50.490 --> 00:20:52.340
it needs to be done anyway,
00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:55.510
but you can delineate the site, and in delineation,
00:20:55.510 --> 00:20:57.060
you can figure out what the assessment needs to be
00:20:57.060 --> 00:20:59.070
and what the clean-up plan is.
00:20:59.070 --> 00:21:00.130
Targa may have a plan,
00:21:00.130 --> 00:21:01.714
the complainant may have a plan,
00:21:01.714 --> 00:21:02.650
Burlington's staff,
00:21:02.650 --> 00:21:03.940
all of them may have a different plan.
00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:06.680
It'd be nice to have one plan so we're not arguing over this
00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:08.923
in 180 days and nothing's been done.
00:21:09.760 --> 00:21:11.270
I don't disagree with that.
00:21:11.270 --> 00:21:15.120
What I'm mindful of, or what I don't,
00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.000
there's two stages here.
00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:18.300
One is we have to go out and assess the situation,
00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:20.310
then based on that assessment have to delineate, okay,
00:21:20.310 --> 00:21:21.880
what is Targa's responsibility?
00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.190
What is out there that's not?
00:21:23.190 --> 00:21:26.080
And then form, after that, a remediation plan.
00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.700
So if you wanna adjust the timeframe,
00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.582
I'm open to that.
00:21:29.582 --> 00:21:31.730
I just think we need some firm deadlines
00:21:31.730 --> 00:21:32.750
for this to move forward.
00:21:32.750 --> 00:21:33.973
I'm comfortable with that.
00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:39.530
It seems like what you're, if I'm understanding you right,
00:21:39.530 --> 00:21:42.120
what you say is we wanna go out there and assess now
00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:43.170
and get that done quickly
00:21:43.170 --> 00:21:44.870
and then come back and then form a plan
00:21:44.870 --> 00:21:45.720
to remediate based on that assessment.
00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.600
I think that's a fair statement.
00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:49.676
Okay, well then,
00:21:49.676 --> 00:21:51.360
because right now, if we don't issue an order
00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:53.370
that they have to go out and do an assessment,
00:21:53.370 --> 00:21:55.686
then there's no way to gather the data that they need,
00:21:55.686 --> 00:21:57.400
so should we,
00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:59.730
and I'm asking here,
00:21:59.730 --> 00:22:00.910
what's the most effective way?
00:22:00.910 --> 00:22:02.143
I like the Chairman's plan.
00:22:02.143 --> 00:22:04.820
Can we put a tight timeframe on,
00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:06.600
go out and assess now
00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:09.173
and then come back and put together a plan?
00:22:10.146 --> 00:22:12.070
Because I don't think we have to remand this back to staff
00:22:12.070 --> 00:22:13.520
to say they need to go out and assess, right?
00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:14.750
That's what you're saying?
00:22:14.750 --> 00:22:17.570
No, I'm asking them to assess and to go in,
00:22:17.570 --> 00:22:19.720
I'll reread my thing,
00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:24.400
to offer specific assessment, delineation, and remediation
00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:26.840
plans and that those plans come back to the examiner
00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.763
in 60 days.
00:22:28.850 --> 00:22:30.460
But they can't develop remediation plans
00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.293
until the assessments are done.
00:22:31.293 --> 00:22:33.210
But I think they oughta be doing all of that
00:22:33.210 --> 00:22:34.870
and not just wait for the assessment,
00:22:34.870 --> 00:22:36.890
wait 60 days or 180 days,
00:22:36.890 --> 00:22:39.280
then come back in and say, "We're gonna clean something up."
00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:41.020
I'd like to see,
00:22:41.020 --> 00:22:42.540
look, if you wanna put it at 90 days
00:22:42.540 --> 00:22:45.240
and you think 60's too tight a window, that's fine,
00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:47.520
but I want an assessment, a delineation,
00:22:47.520 --> 00:22:49.347
and I want them to come back in and say,
00:22:49.347 --> 00:22:52.290
"Based on the assessment delineation, this is our plan,"
00:22:52.290 --> 00:22:53.930
and there could be four different plans,
00:22:53.930 --> 00:22:56.080
and let's agree to those plans in 60 days
00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:58.310
so we can get this thing finished.
00:22:58.310 --> 00:23:00.680
It's been sitting here since 2012.
00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.890
I guess I don't understand how that's different
00:23:01.890 --> 00:23:03.000
from what's currently in the order.
00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:05.871
Because she's got 180 days just for an assessment
00:23:05.871 --> 00:23:09.310
and decide whether we need to do anything.
00:23:09.310 --> 00:23:10.347
I want a plan together.
00:23:10.347 --> 00:23:13.406
I want all parties to agree on a plan.
00:23:13.406 --> 00:23:14.290
Okay.
00:23:14.290 --> 00:23:16.570
So we're not fighting about it in 180 days,
00:23:16.570 --> 00:23:18.250
and it's not back before,
00:23:18.250 --> 00:23:20.053
served before staff.
00:23:20.053 --> 00:23:22.090
I thought it was a little broad how you left it.
00:23:22.090 --> 00:23:24.300
I'm trying to tighten it up.
00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:25.133
Okay.
00:23:26.972 --> 00:23:29.710
What I'm stuck on is how do they,
00:23:29.710 --> 00:23:32.520
are you asking for them to do an assessment, and then
00:23:32.520 --> 00:23:34.260
I'm asking them to do an assessment.
00:23:34.260 --> 00:23:37.167
Yes, and to do a delineation in 60 days.
00:23:37.167 --> 00:23:38.040
That's what I said.
00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:38.873
If you think
Okay.
00:23:38.873 --> 00:23:40.030
it's too tight of a timeframe,
00:23:40.030 --> 00:23:41.750
we can adjust it a little bit broader.
00:23:41.750 --> 00:23:44.970
Do you want a remediation requirement in there as well?
00:23:44.970 --> 00:23:47.810
I'm asking them to tell me if what we need to do is
00:23:47.810 --> 00:23:49.503
a specific plan, yes.
00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.060
Can you read your motion again?
00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:56.190
I'm sorry.
Sure.
00:23:56.190 --> 00:23:58.572
I move that we remand this case for the limited purpose
00:23:58.572 --> 00:24:00.560
of reopening the hearing to,
00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:02.020
I think, look, I'm not disagreeing
00:24:02.020 --> 00:24:03.130
with the findings she's found.
00:24:03.130 --> 00:24:04.053
I think that her order is too broad,
00:24:04.053 --> 00:24:05.080
okay?
Okay.
00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:06.870
So this is why I'm sending it back.
00:24:06.870 --> 00:24:09.290
For reopening the hearing to allow the parties,
00:24:09.290 --> 00:24:11.530
including our staff, an opportunity
00:24:11.530 --> 00:24:16.350
to offer specific assessment, delineation, and remediation
00:24:16.350 --> 00:24:19.360
plans and that any such plans be submitted
00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:22.650
to the examiners within 60 days from today,
00:24:22.650 --> 00:24:25.070
and based on those plans, then you're gonna come back
00:24:25.070 --> 00:24:27.720
with an order and say, "This is what we're gonna do,"
00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.753
based on the,
00:24:29.753 --> 00:24:31.033
whatever they find.
00:24:32.110 --> 00:24:33.756
Okay, so if the--
00:24:33.756 --> 00:24:36.614
I mean, if y'all think that's too tight a--
00:24:36.614 --> 00:24:38.293
It's not
Is Peter in the room?
00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.310
I know the parties are in the room.
00:24:43.310 --> 00:24:44.650
I mean, is that too tight, yes sir?
00:24:44.650 --> 00:24:46.180
I don't think it's too tight.
00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.013
David Cooney.
00:24:47.013 --> 00:24:48.911
I represent the staff in the hearing.
00:24:48.911 --> 00:24:49.744
Okay.
00:24:49.744 --> 00:24:51.047
60 days should be plenty of time.
00:24:51.047 --> 00:24:52.570
Okay.
That we know of.
00:24:52.570 --> 00:24:53.403
Okay.
00:24:53.403 --> 00:24:54.890
James?
00:24:54.890 --> 00:24:56.800
Targa has already submitted a plan
00:24:56.800 --> 00:25:00.580
to delineate that was approved a year and a half ago,
00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:03.881
two years ago, and just has never moved forward.
00:25:03.881 --> 00:25:05.240
Okay.
00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.680
Where are the other two?
00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:08.830
Sorry, I know y'all are all here.
00:25:08.830 --> 00:25:10.100
Anybody else complaining?
00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:13.040
I mean, it seems to me we should be able to move this along.
00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:14.610
Yes sir?
00:25:14.610 --> 00:25:15.534
Jamie, go ahead.
00:25:15.534 --> 00:25:17.049
60 days sounds good to us.
00:25:17.049 --> 00:25:20.020
Okay, thank you.
00:25:20.020 --> 00:25:21.523
60 days is a tight timeframe.
00:25:21.523 --> 00:25:24.686
I might just perhaps even place under 180
00:25:24.686 --> 00:25:25.519
and then order in 60 days,
00:25:26.936 --> 00:25:28.470
that that may be an option,
00:25:28.470 --> 00:25:32.270
but given Targa is the only identified point of discharge
00:25:32.270 --> 00:25:34.760
Burlington has some concern that
00:25:34.760 --> 00:25:37.620
allowing this to go forward is jamming up the system.
00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.453
This case took a long time to go--
00:25:38.453 --> 00:25:40.040
I appreciate it, but let me,
00:25:40.040 --> 00:25:42.010
I'm not changing the findings in it, Jamie,
00:25:42.010 --> 00:25:43.360
and so y'all don't have any,
00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:44.550
you aren't in the findings,
00:25:44.550 --> 00:25:45.520
so you don't have to worry.
00:25:45.520 --> 00:25:46.620
If you choose, look,
00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:49.890
this is an optional, if parties choose to participate in this,
00:25:49.890 --> 00:25:50.723
by the way.
00:25:50.723 --> 00:25:52.390
We're not forcing you to.
00:25:52.390 --> 00:25:53.924
So, okay.
00:25:53.924 --> 00:25:56.500
I'm not gonna re-litigate the case right here.
00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:58.543
I'm just sending it back for one reason.
00:26:01.605 --> 00:26:03.580
[Man] My partner and I are not sure
00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:06.090
we've heard everything you're saying today.
00:26:06.090 --> 00:26:09.567
We can come up with a plan about how to do this
00:26:09.567 --> 00:26:10.484
in 60 days,
00:26:12.104 --> 00:26:13.337
getting it done.
00:26:13.337 --> 00:26:15.630
No, I didn't say you were gonna have it done in 60 days.
00:26:15.630 --> 00:26:17.090
I want it planned that so,
00:26:17.090 --> 00:26:19.140
when you go back to the examiner,
00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.880
if he's got a plan and you've got a plan
00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:23.240
and our staff has a plan that y'all all agree on the plan,
00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:25.160
and then you're gonna execute it in 180,
00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:27.030
or whatever she comes back and tells me,
00:26:27.030 --> 00:26:29.175
is the executable date.
00:26:29.175 --> 00:26:32.330
And do we do the delineation in 60 days?
00:26:32.330 --> 00:26:33.882
Yes, sir. That's part of my motion.
00:26:33.882 --> 00:26:35.245
Well, we're gonna need a little more time
00:26:35.245 --> 00:26:38.844
to get that work, the physical work done.
00:26:38.844 --> 00:26:40.510
You're talking about the assessment of the site?
00:26:40.510 --> 00:26:41.410
No, he's talking about,
00:26:41.410 --> 00:26:43.040
I've got assessment, delineation,
00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:43.873
Agree.
00:26:43.873 --> 00:26:46.340
And so is 90 days,
00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:48.493
that's what I'm asking, is 60 too tight?
00:26:51.210 --> 00:26:53.100
Shouldn't they be speaking on the record actually
00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:54.340
if we're going through this?
00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:56.083
I mean, do we need to capture this?
00:26:57.281 --> 00:26:58.390
Are we okay with just,
00:26:58.390 --> 00:26:59.376
from the audience?
00:26:59.376 --> 00:27:00.696
(laughs)
00:27:00.696 --> 00:27:03.396
I think it would take at least 90 just to get,
00:27:04.330 --> 00:27:05.670
because my anticipation is,
00:27:05.670 --> 00:27:07.593
we're gonna be doing some digging.
00:27:07.593 --> 00:27:08.873
Mhm.
00:27:08.873 --> 00:27:13.049
And that's gonna require things like removing
00:27:13.049 --> 00:27:15.810
the water from the pond,
00:27:15.810 --> 00:27:17.235
getting the equipment out there,
00:27:17.235 --> 00:27:20.497
and digging through the contamination area,
00:27:20.497 --> 00:27:23.540
and 60 days, I doubt, it's not gonna be enough.
00:27:23.540 --> 00:27:25.010
Okay, then I'm gonna give you 90.
00:27:25.010 --> 00:27:28.150
I'm gonna adjust my motion for 90.
00:27:28.150 --> 00:27:28.983
I want a plan.
00:27:28.983 --> 00:27:29.816
Is that enough?
00:27:29.816 --> 00:27:30.649
Is that, I mean, look,
00:27:30.649 --> 00:27:31.482
this needs to be done.
00:27:31.482 --> 00:27:32.940
It's time to get this case cleared.
00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:35.980
So, is 90 days,
00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:37.665
y'all can handle 90 days?
00:27:37.665 --> 00:27:38.640
You're not gonna be fishing in it?
00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:40.790
You can know within 90 days, 90 days?
00:27:40.790 --> 00:27:41.760
90 days is fine.
00:27:41.760 --> 00:27:44.900
I just want to clarify who will be doing the assessment.
00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.452
Is the Commission gonna be doing the assessment,
00:27:46.452 --> 00:27:48.487
or is Targa?
Good question.
00:27:48.487 --> 00:27:51.950
Well, we found Targa as the liable party,
00:27:51.950 --> 00:27:54.770
so, at this point, is a responsible person.
00:27:54.770 --> 00:27:55.800
Let me say that.
00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:58.180
So, Targa needs to be doing the delineation.
00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.650
All people like, in my--
00:27:59.650 --> 00:28:00.870
At our staff's direction.
00:28:00.870 --> 00:28:02.343
At our staff's direction.
00:28:03.630 --> 00:28:06.300
So no, you're not doing the delineation.
00:28:06.300 --> 00:28:07.990
Yes sir? Is that fair?
00:28:07.990 --> 00:28:09.940
Everybody got it? We clear?
00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.773
I'm not changing,
00:28:10.773 --> 00:28:12.410
I just want a specific plan.
00:28:12.410 --> 00:28:14.080
If not, I'll throw out my motion.
00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:16.760
We can go with what we got, but I want it done, James,
00:28:16.760 --> 00:28:17.977
one way or the other, so,
00:28:17.977 --> 00:28:19.511
Might as well get things done.
00:28:19.511 --> 00:28:20.972
That's fine.
00:28:20.972 --> 00:28:24.014
I would anticipate that you're gonna
00:28:24.014 --> 00:28:27.830
want us to do it in ways that the staff has approved.
00:28:27.830 --> 00:28:28.663
Yes, sir.
00:28:28.663 --> 00:28:30.790
And I don't want staff sitting on it any longer, too.
00:28:30.790 --> 00:28:32.470
It's all of y'all.
My suggestion is,
00:28:32.470 --> 00:28:35.907
if you give us 90 days to get the staffers' approved plan
00:28:35.907 --> 00:28:39.470
so that we don't need to up any of that time.
00:28:43.683 --> 00:28:47.387
I don't think we need that, Madam Chair.
00:28:47.387 --> 00:28:49.670
The staff will be on top of this.
00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:53.130
We will respond quickly.
00:28:53.130 --> 00:28:54.080
Okay.
00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.550
You got 90 days.
00:28:55.550 --> 00:28:57.730
So my motion is amended to say 90 days.
00:28:57.730 --> 00:28:59.240
Would you like me to reread it?
00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.073
Yes, please.
00:29:00.073 --> 00:29:01.170
Still got a concern about it?
00:29:01.170 --> 00:29:02.940
I think I'm good as long as we're clear
00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:06.447
that staff's gonna direct the assessment,
00:29:06.447 --> 00:29:07.320
Targa's gonna do it.
00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:09.620
You have 90 days to do an assessment, and,
00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.560
based on those assessments,
00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:12.627
come back, delineate what's the responsibility,
00:29:12.627 --> 00:29:13.900
and then put together
00:29:14.950 --> 00:29:17.740
whatever competing or different clean-up plans
00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:20.770
that, in 90 days, that clean-up plan will be set,
00:29:20.770 --> 00:29:22.730
and then whoever has to can go out
00:29:22.730 --> 00:29:23.563
and remediate it from there.
00:29:23.563 --> 00:29:25.120
That's
And it'll come back to you,
00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:28.847
you'll agree on the plan, and then you come back,
00:29:28.847 --> 00:29:30.300
and we'll say, "Yes, thank you."
00:29:30.300 --> 00:29:32.953
We'll makes a recommendation on the proposed plan,
00:29:32.953 --> 00:29:35.910
and you can choose to take the plans that are presented
00:29:35.910 --> 00:29:38.240
or choose your own plan if it differs,
00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.830
but once the plans have come back in
00:29:39.830 --> 00:29:41.480
and evidence has been taken,
00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:43.616
a PFD will be circulated, identified,
00:29:43.616 --> 00:29:46.460
another PFD will be circulated adopting, or including,
00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.430
those proposed plans
00:29:47.430 --> 00:29:49.141
along with the examiner's recommendation
00:29:49.141 --> 00:29:50.860
after you're consideration.
00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:52.080
Okay.
Fine with me.
00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:52.913
Thank you.
Thank you.
00:29:52.913 --> 00:29:54.170
So do you want me to reread this?
00:29:54.170 --> 00:29:55.087
No, I understand it.
00:29:55.087 --> 00:29:57.700
Alright, I'm just gonna change my original to 90 days.
00:29:57.700 --> 00:30:01.063
Alright, so I have a remand and a motion.
00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.773
I need a second.
00:30:02.773 --> 00:30:03.820
Is there a second?
Second.
00:30:03.820 --> 00:30:05.060
Second, Commissioner Sitton.
00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:06.529
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:30:06.529 --> 00:30:07.600
Aye.
00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:09.040
Motion passes, items approved.
00:30:09.040 --> 00:30:11.480
Thank you, Jennifer, for the work on this.
00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.413
Number 11.
00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:16.760
Item 11 is a motion for rehearing.
00:30:16.760 --> 00:30:19.890
On February 27, 2018, the Commission issued an order
00:30:19.890 --> 00:30:23.530
adopting the ALJ's proposal for decision in this case,
00:30:23.530 --> 00:30:25.750
finding that Polk Operating, LLC,
00:30:25.750 --> 00:30:29.260
committed the violations alleged by Commission staff
00:30:29.260 --> 00:30:33.580
and ordering Polk's permit to be suspended
00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:35.976
until Polk is in compliance with the terms of its permit
00:30:35.976 --> 00:30:39.860
and applicable Commission rules and regulations.
00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:42.200
A timely motion for rehearing was received.
00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:45.550
Staff filed a response and opposition to the motion.
00:30:45.550 --> 00:30:47.320
None of the information provided in the motion
00:30:47.320 --> 00:30:48.180
for rehearing is new.
00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:50.210
The information discussed in the motion
00:30:50.210 --> 00:30:51.690
was considered by the Commission
00:30:51.690 --> 00:30:54.673
prior to the Commission issuing the order in this case.
00:30:54.673 --> 00:30:57.430
Therefore, the ALJ recommends denying the motion,
00:30:57.430 --> 00:30:59.530
and the motion will be overruled by operation of law
00:30:59.530 --> 00:31:03.360
on June 7, 2018, and I'm available for questions.
00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:04.850
Thank you, are there any questions?
00:31:04.850 --> 00:31:07.730
Alright, I move we approve the examiner's recommendation.
00:31:07.730 --> 00:31:09.110
Is there a second?
Second.
00:31:09.110 --> 00:31:10.820
Second by Commissioner Christian.
00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:12.116
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:31:12.116 --> 00:31:12.949
Aye.
00:31:12.949 --> 00:31:14.770
Motion passes, item is approved.
00:31:14.770 --> 00:31:16.310
Thank you, Jennifer.
00:31:17.290 --> 00:31:20.070
Items 12 through 16.
00:31:22.513 --> 00:31:24.340
Good morning, Chairman and Commissioners.
00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:27.108
Clayton Hoover, Administrative Law Judge.
00:31:27.108 --> 00:31:30.010
Items 12 to 16 are motions for rehearing
00:31:30.010 --> 00:31:32.183
on five good-faith claim dockets.
00:31:33.270 --> 00:31:35.450
These are all complaints by Laura Briggs
00:31:35.450 --> 00:31:37.480
challenging the operator's good-faith claim
00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:39.550
to continue to operate.
00:31:39.550 --> 00:31:40.810
In cases of a complaint
00:31:40.810 --> 00:31:42.780
that an operator has no good-faith claim,
00:31:42.780 --> 00:31:46.280
the sole issue is whether they have a claim to title,
00:31:46.280 --> 00:31:49.980
usually, in oil and gas lease, in accordance with Rule 15
00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.353
in the Magnolia case.
00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:55.070
The operator received the standard 30-day letter
00:31:55.070 --> 00:31:56.530
informing them of the complaints
00:31:56.530 --> 00:31:59.420
and requiring operator to furnish evidence
00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.570
of their good-faith claim
00:32:00.570 --> 00:32:03.870
or to request a hearing within 30 days.
00:32:03.870 --> 00:32:05.860
If an operator fails to respond,
00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:09.290
the complaint dockets proceed as defaults.
00:32:09.290 --> 00:32:12.230
In these dockets, operator failed to respond
00:32:12.230 --> 00:32:14.704
with evidence or to request hearings.
00:32:14.704 --> 00:32:18.620
Default orders were entered finding no good-faith claim
00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:21.140
and ordering the wells to be plugged.
00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:25.450
Following entry of the order, operator timely filed
00:32:25.450 --> 00:32:27.370
these motions for rehearing.
00:32:27.370 --> 00:32:29.250
The motions and the attachments,
00:32:29.250 --> 00:32:31.550
which are mostly oil and gas leases,
00:32:31.550 --> 00:32:34.200
satisfy the three prongs of the Craddock test
00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.363
for granting a hearing.
00:32:36.950 --> 00:32:38.780
Operator represents, Number one,
00:32:38.780 --> 00:32:41.130
operator represents that its failure to respond
00:32:41.130 --> 00:32:43.130
was not intentional nor the result
00:32:43.130 --> 00:32:45.110
of conscious indifference.
00:32:45.110 --> 00:32:49.550
Number two, operator has set out facts and documents, which,
00:32:49.550 --> 00:32:51.640
if proven up in a hearing,
00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:53.410
could establish a good-faith claim
00:32:53.410 --> 00:32:56.270
and constitute a meritorious defense.
00:32:56.270 --> 00:33:00.200
Number three, operator claims that any resulting delay
00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:02.710
is insignificant, and in these cases,
00:33:02.710 --> 00:33:05.980
plugging of wells that may be capable of production
00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:08.222
will probably result in additional dockets
00:33:08.222 --> 00:33:10.690
to supersede the plugging orders,
00:33:10.690 --> 00:33:13.090
so granting the motions would actually promote
00:33:13.090 --> 00:33:15.050
judicial economy.
00:33:15.050 --> 00:33:17.260
The recommendation is to grant the five motions
00:33:17.260 --> 00:33:18.400
for rehearing.
00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:21.280
The motions will be overruled by operation of law
00:33:21.280 --> 00:33:23.830
on June 28th, 2018.
00:33:23.830 --> 00:33:25.323
I'm available for questions.
00:33:28.585 --> 00:33:29.650
Are there any questions?
00:33:29.650 --> 00:33:31.142
Yes, please.
00:33:31.142 --> 00:33:33.931
Have at it.
00:33:33.931 --> 00:33:36.074
Am I understanding that they did
00:33:36.074 --> 00:33:38.600
miss the deadline?
00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:40.788
Yes, sir. They missed the deadline.
00:33:40.788 --> 00:33:42.340
Okay.
00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:45.440
I've heard a lot of excuses through the short time
00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:48.333
I've been here of us not allowing this,
00:33:49.330 --> 00:33:51.970
because of death and all kinds of reasons I've heard
00:33:51.970 --> 00:33:53.500
that people miss deadlines.
00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:57.600
Why are we making an exception to the practice
00:33:57.600 --> 00:34:00.530
by allowing this after they've missed the deadline?
00:34:00.530 --> 00:34:02.650
It's not an exception to the general practice.
00:34:02.650 --> 00:34:05.160
It's just in this specific case,
00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:07.240
they're saying it wasn't conscious indifference
00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:11.080
or anything other than just a miscommunication,
00:34:11.080 --> 00:34:14.068
and we've done that in the past in the creative dockets.
00:34:14.068 --> 00:34:16.350
In fact, those went back for rehearing.
00:34:16.350 --> 00:34:18.470
It was found there was no good-faith claim,
00:34:18.470 --> 00:34:20.810
and now we have supersede dockets
00:34:20.810 --> 00:34:23.380
to get a new operator for the active wells,
00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:24.270
and that's the case here.
00:34:24.270 --> 00:34:27.740
These wells have produced very recently.
00:34:27.740 --> 00:34:29.620
They may be capable of production.
00:34:29.620 --> 00:34:32.240
We didn't get any evidence of that,
00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:34.470
and if we deny the motion for rehearing,
00:34:34.470 --> 00:34:37.300
the wells are subject to a plugging order,
00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:39.710
even though somebody else may wanna come in
00:34:39.710 --> 00:34:40.960
and operate them,
00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:44.050
and so, if someone else wants to come in and operate them,
00:34:44.050 --> 00:34:45.270
they'll have to file dockets
00:34:45.270 --> 00:34:47.147
to supersede the plugging order,
00:34:47.147 --> 00:34:50.130
and that was the difficulty we've had
00:34:50.130 --> 00:34:53.840
in not granting motions for rehearing
00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:56.520
when there appears to be a good-faith claim
00:34:56.520 --> 00:34:59.390
and some reasonable explanation
00:35:01.630 --> 00:35:04.480
and here, once again, they say it was a miscommunication.
00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:07.790
What's that mean?
00:35:07.790 --> 00:35:09.430
That's all it said.
00:35:09.430 --> 00:35:11.133
That's part of the problem.
00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:15.810
And each of the motions had oil and gas leases attached,
00:35:15.810 --> 00:35:17.760
which they claim are valid,
00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:21.263
and they just want a chance to prove that up in a hearing.
00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:25.620
I want them to be able to produce, et cetera,
00:35:25.620 --> 00:35:28.140
and wanna make sure that we don't stop
00:35:28.140 --> 00:35:31.060
the necessary good-faith production of oil and gas
00:35:31.060 --> 00:35:32.523
in Texas, but it concerns,
00:35:33.710 --> 00:35:35.510
it seems like we're making an exception
00:35:35.510 --> 00:35:38.260
to previous considerations and that,
00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:39.400
to make an,
00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:43.190
I wanna be consistent on those practices that we have done
00:35:43.190 --> 00:35:45.367
so that other people can know that,
00:35:45.367 --> 00:35:47.570
"Okay, if I don't do this
00:35:47.570 --> 00:35:49.830
that the rules apply to them equally."
00:35:49.830 --> 00:35:52.060
And, Commissioner, just for your perspective,
00:35:52.060 --> 00:35:55.110
a year ago, in a case almost exactly like this,
00:35:55.110 --> 00:35:56.650
where it had been a default,
00:35:56.650 --> 00:35:59.373
I recommended denial of the motions for rehearing,
00:36:00.212 --> 00:36:02.270
and I was overruled by the Commission,
00:36:02.270 --> 00:36:04.680
and the motions for rehearing were granted,
00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:07.740
so I don't think there is any important precedent
00:36:07.740 --> 00:36:08.800
in this one case.
00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:11.780
It just goes on the specifics of this one case.
00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:16.150
The default orders and good-faith claim,
00:36:16.150 --> 00:36:18.450
dockets go out routinely,
00:36:18.450 --> 00:36:21.436
and this will not interrupt that process.
00:36:21.436 --> 00:36:23.020
Thank you.
00:36:23.020 --> 00:36:25.160
Clay, if I can, you said the well,
00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:26.910
these wells have produced recently,
00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:30.340
and I appreciate Commissioner Christian's comments
00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:32.070
that we wanna be judicious,
00:36:32.070 --> 00:36:34.487
and we wanna stick with our rules.
00:36:34.487 --> 00:36:36.880
As I understand, what you're saying is,
00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:38.780
your two points that I'm keying in on,
00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:43.080
one, when we have a lack of communication,
00:36:43.080 --> 00:36:45.410
we hear a range of explanations.
00:36:45.410 --> 00:36:49.310
In this case, it was fairly generic miscommunication,
00:36:49.310 --> 00:36:51.140
but who's to say one guy's communication
00:36:51.140 --> 00:36:52.980
is not another one's family emergency?
00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:55.590
So, we have allowed miscommunication
00:36:55.590 --> 00:36:59.609
or a lack of communication as an explanation of not,
00:36:59.609 --> 00:37:03.126
you know, willful indifference to our cases.
00:37:03.126 --> 00:37:04.220
Second of all, you're saying
00:37:04.220 --> 00:37:05.930
these might be valuable wells,
00:37:05.930 --> 00:37:08.883
so we don't wanna put them on our plugging list if,
00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.860
we actually pulled these up.
00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:13.280
The most recent one produced, December of last year I think,
00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:14.523
but then one of these goes all the way back to, like,
00:37:14.523 --> 00:37:17.070
February of 2015, so there's kind of a range here.
00:37:17.070 --> 00:37:18.060
Right, there's a range.
00:37:18.060 --> 00:37:19.610
We looked them up this morning.
00:37:20.680 --> 00:37:22.763
So, what I hear you saying is,
00:37:25.120 --> 00:37:26.710
we could go on our plugging list,
00:37:26.710 --> 00:37:29.290
and then even if somebody else does acquire these wells,
00:37:29.290 --> 00:37:30.770
then they're gonna have to really do a lot
00:37:30.770 --> 00:37:32.390
of work to get them off our plugging list,
00:37:32.390 --> 00:37:37.390
and so, to try and save ourselves some effort,
00:37:38.290 --> 00:37:42.070
it seems like you're saying that granting this
00:37:42.070 --> 00:37:43.970
motion for rehearing gives us some leeway
00:37:43.970 --> 00:37:45.710
to maintain these wells.
00:37:45.710 --> 00:37:47.130
Yeah, it's
If they're valuable.
00:37:47.130 --> 00:37:47.963
Yes, sir.
00:37:47.963 --> 00:37:51.090
It's in the interest of judicial economy because,
00:37:51.090 --> 00:37:55.520
as you say, some of the wells apparently are capable
00:37:55.520 --> 00:37:57.820
of production because of recent production,
00:37:57.820 --> 00:37:59.490
and the other wells, we just don't know.
00:37:59.490 --> 00:38:01.970
I mean, it may be related to prices.
00:38:01.970 --> 00:38:03.700
There could be shut-in royalties.
00:38:03.700 --> 00:38:07.029
It could be held by non-continuous acreage.
00:38:07.029 --> 00:38:08.400
All those are possibilities.
00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:09.710
We don't have any evidence on this.
00:38:09.710 --> 00:38:10.543
Right.
00:38:10.543 --> 00:38:12.910
And in the last year, in the creative cases,
00:38:12.910 --> 00:38:17.376
Commissioner Christian, the excuse for not responding was,
00:38:17.376 --> 00:38:19.200
"Well, we had another docket going
00:38:19.200 --> 00:38:20.660
at the Railroad Commission,
00:38:20.660 --> 00:38:23.407
and we thought that our appearance in the other docket
00:38:23.407 --> 00:38:26.230
was a sufficient appearance in these good-faith claim
00:38:26.230 --> 00:38:30.180
complaints, and I didn't think much of that
00:38:30.180 --> 00:38:31.390
(laughs)
00:38:31.390 --> 00:38:32.250
as an explanation,
00:38:32.250 --> 00:38:34.330
and that's why I recommended denial,
00:38:34.330 --> 00:38:37.540
but I was overruled and the motions were granted,
00:38:37.540 --> 00:38:40.470
and it was still found there was no good-faith claim,
00:38:40.470 --> 00:38:44.600
and because there hadn't been an SB 4,
00:38:44.600 --> 00:38:46.800
or any kind of P-4 filed,
00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:49.650
we had to do the supersede dockets,
00:38:49.650 --> 00:38:51.830
which are on the consent agenda right now,
00:38:51.830 --> 00:38:56.230
so that's how long it takes to go through the other process,
00:38:56.230 --> 00:38:59.303
if active wells get on the plugging list.
00:39:00.391 --> 00:39:02.837
I'm just concerned that the excuse of,
00:39:02.837 --> 00:39:05.060
"Oops, we just didn't notice,"
00:39:05.060 --> 00:39:09.060
is accepted as a reason, you know, that's--
00:39:11.230 --> 00:39:12.816
And, Chairman, to your question,
00:39:12.816 --> 00:39:15.007
it's just the word "communication,"
00:39:15.007 --> 00:39:16.220
"miscommunication."
00:39:16.220 --> 00:39:18.430
It didn't elaborate,
00:39:18.430 --> 00:39:20.430
the pleadings did not elaborate on that.
00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:24.700
So, I have all these parties,
00:39:24.700 --> 00:39:26.260
and then I just thought I'd throw in
00:39:26.260 --> 00:39:28.210
that we have, on Number 15,
00:39:28.210 --> 00:39:29.870
we have a new party who says
00:39:29.870 --> 00:39:31.830
they have more good-faith claim,
00:39:31.830 --> 00:39:33.760
but I'd like to know if they have a P-4,
00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:35.420
so, just a minute, sir.
00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:36.253
I'm not ready for you.
I know.
00:39:36.253 --> 00:39:37.086
Just a minute.
00:39:37.086 --> 00:39:38.300
I got everybody sitting here.
00:39:38.300 --> 00:39:39.598
I appreciate that you're here.
00:39:39.598 --> 00:39:42.820
So, if y'all'd like hear from all the parties,
00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:44.130
all the parties are here,
00:39:44.130 --> 00:39:46.021
plus, somebody new in 15,
00:39:46.021 --> 00:39:49.203
which means we don't have a good-faith claim, potentially.
00:39:50.320 --> 00:39:52.750
Stuff like this really bothers me.
00:39:52.750 --> 00:39:55.580
So I'm not gonna be for the motion for rehearing,
00:39:55.580 --> 00:39:57.010
and I don't think we should,
00:39:57.010 --> 00:39:58.820
I think these should stay as they are,
00:39:58.820 --> 00:40:00.570
but that's my personal opinion.
00:40:00.570 --> 00:40:02.960
Does anybody wanna hear from the parties?
00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:04.600
Because they are all here,
00:40:04.600 --> 00:40:07.470
and then, like I said, we have, on Number 15,
00:40:07.470 --> 00:40:09.710
somebody saying they do have a good-faith claim
00:40:09.710 --> 00:40:12.600
that, apparently, it's a new company.
00:40:12.600 --> 00:40:14.351
Do we have a P-4 for this?
00:40:14.351 --> 00:40:15.184
No.
00:40:15.184 --> 00:40:17.970
We checked the P-5 for the operator.
00:40:17.970 --> 00:40:18.950
They're active,
00:40:18.950 --> 00:40:21.030
and we checked all the wellbores,
00:40:21.030 --> 00:40:23.170
and the operator is still 7S,
00:40:23.170 --> 00:40:24.960
so there is no new operator
00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:25.820
Okay.
That we could find
00:40:25.820 --> 00:40:27.710
in the Commission records.
00:40:27.710 --> 00:40:28.820
Okay.
00:40:28.820 --> 00:40:29.830
Anybody would like,
00:40:29.830 --> 00:40:32.420
would y'all like to hear from any of these parties?
00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:35.860
Because I'm gonna make a motion the other direction,
00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:37.400
and I appreciate your work on this,
00:40:37.400 --> 00:40:39.710
but I think it's not that big a deal to supersede
00:40:39.710 --> 00:40:43.950
if we've got a true operator with a good-faith claim,
00:40:43.950 --> 00:40:47.110
and that concerns me when y'all have one of the 15.
00:40:47.110 --> 00:40:48.890
Do I need to do them all individually
00:40:48.890 --> 00:40:50.642
as I'm doing them or can I do them all?
00:40:50.642 --> 00:40:52.220
You can do them all together if you wish.
00:40:52.220 --> 00:40:54.115
So just a question because I appreciate
00:40:54.115 --> 00:40:57.782
Excuse me, that's not accurate, sir.
00:40:58.923 --> 00:41:00.875
That's not accurate, sir.
00:41:00.875 --> 00:41:01.947
Okay, thank you.
00:41:01.947 --> 00:41:04.510
Clay, and I've got
You can do them all.
00:41:04.510 --> 00:41:05.343
Okay, thank you.
00:41:05.343 --> 00:41:06.490
I've got a question,
00:41:06.490 --> 00:41:09.140
I appreciate your notion about judicial economy here.
00:41:10.160 --> 00:41:11.780
If, assuming that we,
00:41:11.780 --> 00:41:13.470
if we go with,
00:41:13.470 --> 00:41:16.080
if we deny the motion for rehearing,
00:41:16.080 --> 00:41:18.180
then these would go on a plugging list?
00:41:18.180 --> 00:41:19.080
Yes, sir.
00:41:21.360 --> 00:41:23.610
Thinking about, because you brought up the fact
00:41:23.610 --> 00:41:25.960
that hey, if someone, if these are valuable wells,
00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:27.343
someone's got to,
00:41:28.550 --> 00:41:31.100
I guess, entertain a transaction to
00:41:34.530 --> 00:41:36.220
try to be efficient.
00:41:36.220 --> 00:41:39.200
Someone's gotta entertain some sort of transaction
00:41:39.200 --> 00:41:40.340
to acquire these wells,
00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:42.470
and then they have to get them off our plugging list.
00:41:42.470 --> 00:41:44.690
Give me a sense of what,
00:41:44.690 --> 00:41:45.523
Right.
00:41:45.523 --> 00:41:46.520
You said that that can be a hassle.
00:41:46.520 --> 00:41:47.353
What is that?
00:41:47.353 --> 00:41:48.920
There are, pretty much, two arenas.
00:41:49.773 --> 00:41:53.610
In the title arena, they would have to go obtain
00:41:53.610 --> 00:41:57.190
a lease or an assignment from whoever owns the lease now
00:41:57.190 --> 00:41:59.770
or a new lease if the lease is expired,
00:41:59.770 --> 00:42:01.620
and those are things that the Commission
00:42:01.620 --> 00:42:04.110
does not have jurisdiction to resolve,
00:42:04.110 --> 00:42:06.180
although they're obviously considered in this.
00:42:06.180 --> 00:42:09.100
And then the other arena is the regulatory arena,
00:42:09.100 --> 00:42:13.550
and they would have to file a P-4.
00:42:13.550 --> 00:42:15.040
In the creative case, we actually had
00:42:15.040 --> 00:42:16.750
a double-signature P-4 filed,
00:42:16.750 --> 00:42:18.230
so it was pretty easy.
00:42:18.230 --> 00:42:21.310
They could also file a single-signature P-4
00:42:21.310 --> 00:42:24.000
and prove up their good-faith claim,
00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:26.210
and with the single-signature P-4,
00:42:26.210 --> 00:42:30.140
there'd need to be an application to supersede
00:42:30.140 --> 00:42:33.050
the plugging order in these dockets,
00:42:33.050 --> 00:42:36.970
and that would, oftentimes that goes to hearing.
00:42:36.970 --> 00:42:38.720
We've had those go to hearing,
00:42:38.720 --> 00:42:41.220
and staff sometimes participates
00:42:41.220 --> 00:42:45.143
and gives perspective on the supersede,
00:42:46.511 --> 00:42:50.230
and, especially if there's a P-6 involved
00:42:50.230 --> 00:42:53.380
where they're separating out wells, one from another,
00:42:53.380 --> 00:42:56.200
on a lease, because sometimes people don't wanna take on
00:42:56.200 --> 00:42:58.300
all of the wells on a lease,
00:42:58.300 --> 00:43:01.400
so it can require another hearing and another conference,
00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:04.270
and, for instance, in creative,
00:43:04.270 --> 00:43:06.050
granting the motion for rehearing
00:43:07.235 --> 00:43:11.080
and then finding no good-faith claim
00:43:11.080 --> 00:43:15.030
and then coming back with the supersede dockets took a year,
00:43:15.030 --> 00:43:17.800
so it's been really a year since
00:43:18.950 --> 00:43:22.820
the operatorship of those wells has been clear,
00:43:22.820 --> 00:43:25.353
and so, that's, you know, it's,
00:43:26.358 --> 00:43:28.970
I appreciate your comments about precedent,
00:43:28.970 --> 00:43:31.480
and that was the reason I made the recommendation
00:43:31.480 --> 00:43:34.470
to deny the motion for rehearing last year,
00:43:34.470 --> 00:43:37.240
and I had the different perspective this year,
00:43:37.240 --> 00:43:40.490
so I, you know, it's a difficult decision.
00:43:40.490 --> 00:43:42.540
I appreciate what you have to decide.
00:43:42.540 --> 00:43:44.260
So, what I understood there is, you got,
00:43:44.260 --> 00:43:45.770
so two processes have to unfold
00:43:45.770 --> 00:43:48.530
assuming that we find no good-faith claim.
00:43:48.530 --> 00:43:52.209
There's a civil matter of okay, who owns these.
00:43:52.209 --> 00:43:53.410
And I've read through the record.
00:43:53.410 --> 00:43:56.160
You've got some interesting assertions
00:43:56.160 --> 00:43:59.590
about the current operators and their background,
00:43:59.590 --> 00:44:00.697
lien holders, all that stuff,
00:44:00.697 --> 00:44:02.204
but those people will work that out,
00:44:02.204 --> 00:44:05.470
who actually has legal title to this.
00:44:05.470 --> 00:44:07.850
Once that's worked out, then someone's gonna come back
00:44:07.850 --> 00:44:09.110
and say, "Hey, I want those wells."
00:44:09.110 --> 00:44:11.810
That's when it comes really back into our lap.
00:44:11.810 --> 00:44:14.260
Yeah, and we don't always wait for that to be resolved.
00:44:14.260 --> 00:44:16.740
I mean, good-faith claim is a much lower bar
00:44:16.740 --> 00:44:19.020
than resolving a title issue
00:44:19.020 --> 00:44:20.030
Understood.
in district court,
00:44:20.030 --> 00:44:23.040
and there are even cases where two people can be found
00:44:23.040 --> 00:44:24.930
to have a good-faith claim,
00:44:24.930 --> 00:44:28.970
because it's just a defensible theory
00:44:28.970 --> 00:44:33.970
using facts and a recognized legal precedent
00:44:34.060 --> 00:44:35.920
that shows you have a good-faith claim,
00:44:35.920 --> 00:44:38.540
and as we all know, two people can have that
00:44:38.540 --> 00:44:41.483
before an item starts in district court,
00:44:42.649 --> 00:44:43.820
but you're exactly right.
00:44:43.820 --> 00:44:46.025
There are two arenas,
Okay.
00:44:46.025 --> 00:44:46.858
the tite arena,
00:44:46.858 --> 00:44:49.830
which is technically beyond our jurisdiction,
00:44:49.830 --> 00:44:51.540
and then the regulatory arena,
00:44:51.540 --> 00:44:52.960
which is what we're here to decide,
00:44:52.960 --> 00:44:54.110
who's gonna operate the wells.
00:44:54.110 --> 00:44:54.943
Okay.
00:44:54.943 --> 00:44:56.380
Commissioner, an investigation will appear
00:44:56.380 --> 00:44:57.380
in six months.
00:44:57.380 --> 00:44:58.870
Okay.
00:44:58.870 --> 00:45:00.590
Well, my comments are,
00:45:00.590 --> 00:45:03.300
even though I'm reading through this,
00:45:03.300 --> 00:45:07.800
there seems like these operators have some questions about
00:45:07.800 --> 00:45:09.020
how these guys are a new business,
00:45:09.020 --> 00:45:11.810
and I like your judicial economy,
00:45:11.810 --> 00:45:14.030
and I appreciate the fact you're trying to find some,
00:45:14.030 --> 00:45:15.113
some precedence in the midst
00:45:15.113 --> 00:45:18.010
of changing rulings for the Commission,
00:45:18.010 --> 00:45:20.823
so I'll support this, your motion.
00:45:23.800 --> 00:45:24.957
I think we should grant it to,
00:45:24.957 --> 00:45:27.200
and like as Clay said, in the interest of judicial economy
00:45:27.200 --> 00:45:28.970
to stick with the motion that was made a year ago,
00:45:28.970 --> 00:45:31.310
or the process we established a year ago,
00:45:31.310 --> 00:45:33.060
but I appreciate what he said about
00:45:34.950 --> 00:45:37.160
sticking with process and sticking with our rules.
00:45:37.160 --> 00:45:38.410
Madam Chairman?
Yes?
00:45:40.050 --> 00:45:41.760
And that's my concern, Commissioner Sitton,
00:45:41.760 --> 00:45:44.790
is if we made one ruling a year ago that then
00:45:44.790 --> 00:45:46.510
has changed the precedent,
00:45:46.510 --> 00:45:48.700
and it kind of concerns me that, you know,
00:45:48.700 --> 00:45:51.700
if we do an exception then the word "exception" is there,
00:45:51.700 --> 00:45:55.090
so the precedent should not be set on the exceptions,
00:45:55.090 --> 00:45:56.919
and I'm afraid if,
00:45:56.919 --> 00:45:59.510
and I don't recall the specifics of the previous case
00:45:59.510 --> 00:46:00.343
you refer to.
00:46:00.343 --> 00:46:02.570
I respect that, that we did an exception,
00:46:02.570 --> 00:46:05.640
but these, continually, about three or four times,
00:46:05.640 --> 00:46:09.640
you've mentioned, these are valuable properties, okay?
00:46:09.640 --> 00:46:12.770
So it questions me to find how they're gonna just
00:46:12.770 --> 00:46:14.330
all of a sudden, "Well, it doesn't matter anymore,
00:46:14.330 --> 00:46:16.634
and somebody else may grab it," and whatever like this.
00:46:16.634 --> 00:46:19.000
I don't understand, if it's valuable,
00:46:19.000 --> 00:46:23.370
then it's worth their effort to meet the rules,
00:46:23.370 --> 00:46:25.390
and if it was valuable to start with,
00:46:25.390 --> 00:46:28.822
I would think, on all these different situations,
00:46:28.822 --> 00:46:32.170
it mystifies me that they missed the deadline,
00:46:32.170 --> 00:46:33.820
didn't do what was proper,
00:46:33.820 --> 00:46:35.790
if they were valuable resources.
00:46:35.790 --> 00:46:39.823
Now, I can see exceptions if it was a strange situation,
00:46:39.823 --> 00:46:42.790
you know, some situation that may have some except,
00:46:42.790 --> 00:46:44.740
but these were valuable properties.
00:46:44.740 --> 00:46:46.610
They should have valuable staff, valuable people
00:46:46.610 --> 00:46:47.443
working on it,
00:46:47.443 --> 00:46:49.840
and they missed a deadline,
00:46:49.840 --> 00:46:54.840
and I don't see an exception in that chain.
00:46:54.850 --> 00:46:55.683
Sorry.
00:46:58.110 --> 00:47:00.130
One other person that I wanna make sure we,
00:47:00.130 --> 00:47:01.390
the GLO's here,
00:47:01.390 --> 00:47:04.440
so if y'all wanna hear from the GLO on Number 12,
00:47:04.440 --> 00:47:05.273
apparently.
00:47:07.428 --> 00:47:08.410
I don't know.
00:47:08.410 --> 00:47:10.584
They haven't been party to this either.
00:47:10.584 --> 00:47:11.893
If you would like to hear it.
00:47:11.893 --> 00:47:14.010
Daryl, you have something different to add
00:47:14.010 --> 00:47:16.510
than where we are, I mean, I guess is my question.
00:47:17.830 --> 00:47:19.750
Sorry, I'm looking through the piles because there's,
00:47:19.750 --> 00:47:21.120
y'all weren't a party before,
00:47:21.120 --> 00:47:23.207
so I'm trying to figure out why you're here.
00:47:23.207 --> 00:47:26.540
Daryl Morgan, Director of Minerals and Royalty
00:47:26.540 --> 00:47:27.950
with the General Land Office,
00:47:27.950 --> 00:47:29.620
and the General Land Office is here
00:47:29.620 --> 00:47:34.010
to oppose the motion for rehearing on item number 12.
00:47:34.010 --> 00:47:36.707
This involves a State of Texas lease that we terminated
00:47:36.707 --> 00:47:38.350
back in July of 2016.
00:47:39.350 --> 00:47:44.350
Thank you for the information.
00:47:45.074 --> 00:47:46.260
Okay.
00:47:46.260 --> 00:47:47.093
Go through it.
00:47:47.093 --> 00:47:47.926
So I think,
00:47:49.790 --> 00:47:51.720
I appreciate it and I know that that's not necessarily
00:47:51.720 --> 00:47:54.280
part of where we are, but that would be a part
00:47:54.280 --> 00:47:55.670
of the good-faith claim.
00:47:55.670 --> 00:47:57.491
Right, we have no evidence about
00:47:57.491 --> 00:47:58.440
That's right.
00:47:58.440 --> 00:48:02.550
The extension of the leases or anything like that.
00:48:02.550 --> 00:48:03.383
And that wouldn't be part of it,
00:48:03.383 --> 00:48:04.802
but I appreciate you bringing it up.
00:48:04.802 --> 00:48:09.802
So, I'm gonna move on 12 through 16 to deny the motions,
00:48:10.070 --> 00:48:13.153
on all four of the motions for rehearing.
00:48:14.440 --> 00:48:15.273
Second.
00:48:15.273 --> 00:48:17.510
We have a motion and a second.
00:48:17.510 --> 00:48:20.610
All those in favor of the motion upon all,
00:48:20.610 --> 00:48:22.473
I'm gonna take one vote for all four,
00:48:23.440 --> 00:48:25.340
signify by saying "Aye."
00:48:25.340 --> 00:48:26.173
Aye.
00:48:26.173 --> 00:48:27.423
Motion passes,
00:48:27.423 --> 00:48:29.020
sorry, anybody opposed?
00:48:29.020 --> 00:48:30.510
No.
00:48:30.510 --> 00:48:31.830
Motion passes, two to one.
00:48:31.830 --> 00:48:32.663
Thank you for your work on this.
00:48:32.663 --> 00:48:33.670
Thank you very much.
Yes, sir?
00:48:33.670 --> 00:48:35.830
If I might add, we'll provide separate orders.
00:48:35.830 --> 00:48:37.070
That's fine. Thank you.
00:48:37.070 --> 00:48:37.903
Okay.
00:48:37.903 --> 00:48:39.037
Thank you, Clay.
00:48:43.710 --> 00:48:44.820
Good morning, Chairman and Commissioners.
00:48:44.820 --> 00:48:46.850
My name is Lynn Latombe, Administrative Law Judge
00:48:46.850 --> 00:48:48.470
with the Hearings Division.
00:48:48.470 --> 00:48:51.440
I'm here to present item 17 on the agenda,
00:48:51.440 --> 00:48:53.820
which is a P-5 motion for rehearing filed by
00:48:53.820 --> 00:48:56.993
WTXR Operating Texas Incorporated.
00:48:57.920 --> 00:49:01.308
On April 10th, 2018, a final order was entered by the Commission
00:49:01.308 --> 00:49:04.300
denying the renewal of the operator's P-5
00:49:04.300 --> 00:49:07.550
organization report because the operator had 10 wells
00:49:07.550 --> 00:49:10.600
not in compliance with Statewide Rule 15.
00:49:10.600 --> 00:49:12.570
In its timely filed motion for rehearing,
00:49:12.570 --> 00:49:14.880
the operator states that it's currently completing
00:49:14.880 --> 00:49:17.930
compliance with Rule 15 filings.
00:49:17.930 --> 00:49:21.080
At this time, 10 wells are still not in compliance.
00:49:21.080 --> 00:49:23.470
It is recommended that the motion be denied.
00:49:23.470 --> 00:49:25.610
The motion will be overruled by operation of law
00:49:25.610 --> 00:49:27.880
on July 19th, 2018.
00:49:27.880 --> 00:49:30.110
I'm available for any questions.
00:49:30.110 --> 00:49:32.220
Thank you, are there any questions?
00:49:32.220 --> 00:49:34.340
I move we approve the examiner's recommendation.
00:49:34.340 --> 00:49:35.740
Is there a second?
Second.
00:49:35.740 --> 00:49:36.820
Second, Commissioner Sitton.
00:49:36.820 --> 00:49:38.225
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:49:38.225 --> 00:49:39.058
Aye.
00:49:39.058 --> 00:49:41.103
Motion passes, items approved.
00:49:42.040 --> 00:49:43.620
Number 18.
00:49:43.620 --> 00:49:44.550
How are you?
00:49:44.550 --> 00:49:45.383
Good, how are you?
00:49:45.383 --> 00:49:46.860
Fine, thanks.
00:49:46.860 --> 00:49:48.560
Good morning, Chairman and Commissioners.
00:49:48.560 --> 00:49:50.610
For the record, Kristi Reeve, Administrative Law Judge
00:49:50.610 --> 00:49:52.400
with the Hearings Division.
00:49:52.400 --> 00:49:54.210
item number 18 is the application
00:49:54.210 --> 00:49:57.200
of Tahiti Partners Energy Solutions Corporation
00:49:57.200 --> 00:49:59.460
for its unrestricted renewal of its P-5
00:49:59.460 --> 00:50:01.690
and to contest the staff determination
00:50:01.690 --> 00:50:03.590
that its form P-5 cannot be renewed
00:50:03.590 --> 00:50:06.170
due to non-compliance with the inactive well requirements
00:50:06.170 --> 00:50:07.553
of Statewide Rule 15.
00:50:08.610 --> 00:50:10.190
Since preparation of the agenda,
00:50:10.190 --> 00:50:13.079
Tahiti has achieved compliance with Rule 15
00:50:13.079 --> 00:50:16.670
for it's 2017 P-5 renewal.
00:50:16.670 --> 00:50:19.130
I've prepared a new order for you to sign
00:50:19.130 --> 00:50:20.900
which reflects this fact.
00:50:20.900 --> 00:50:23.030
I recommend this docket be dismissed as moot.
00:50:23.030 --> 00:50:24.970
I'm available for questions.
00:50:24.970 --> 00:50:27.430
Thank you, are there any questions?
00:50:27.430 --> 00:50:29.870
Alright, I move we approve examiner's recommendations.
00:50:29.870 --> 00:50:31.470
Is there a second?
Second.
00:50:31.470 --> 00:50:32.620
Second, Commissioner Christian.
00:50:32.620 --> 00:50:33.939
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:50:33.939 --> 00:50:35.200
Aye.
00:50:35.200 --> 00:50:36.360
Motion passes.
Thank you.
00:50:36.360 --> 00:50:37.573
We like good news.
00:50:38.430 --> 00:50:42.650
Alright, we are on to items 19 through 65.
00:50:42.650 --> 00:50:45.800
These are the Oil and Gas consent agenda items,
00:50:45.800 --> 00:50:47.960
and we're gonna pass.
00:50:47.960 --> 00:50:50.280
Staff wants to pass 45, is that correct?
00:50:50.280 --> 00:50:53.790
So, I'm gonna move that we approve 19 through 65
00:50:53.790 --> 00:50:56.090
with the exception of Number 45.
00:50:56.090 --> 00:50:57.850
Is there a second?
Second.
00:50:57.850 --> 00:50:59.080
Second, Commissioner Sitton.
00:50:59.080 --> 00:51:00.480
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:51:00.480 --> 00:51:01.313
Aye.
00:51:01.313 --> 00:51:03.574
Motion passes, items approved.
00:51:03.574 --> 00:51:08.574
Rule 15, Inactive Well items, Items 66 through 79,
00:51:08.817 --> 00:51:11.890
73 is now in compliance, correct?
00:51:11.890 --> 00:51:14.810
Okay, I'm gonna move that we approve
00:51:14.810 --> 00:51:19.670
items 66 through 79 with the exception of 73.
00:51:19.670 --> 00:51:21.711
Is there a second?
00:51:21.711 --> 00:51:22.544
Second.
00:51:22.544 --> 00:51:24.470
Second, Commissioner Sitton.
00:51:24.470 --> 00:51:26.060
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:51:26.060 --> 00:51:26.893
Aye.
00:51:26.893 --> 00:51:28.570
Motion passes, those items are approved.
00:51:30.250 --> 00:51:34.030
Master Default orders, items 80 through 88,
00:51:34.030 --> 00:51:36.670
I'm gonna move we approve those, 80 through 88.
00:51:36.670 --> 00:51:38.043
Is there a second?
00:51:38.043 --> 00:51:38.876
Second.
00:51:38.876 --> 00:51:39.709
Second, Commissioner Sitton.
00:51:39.709 --> 00:51:41.106
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:51:41.106 --> 00:51:41.939
Aye.
00:51:41.939 --> 00:51:44.280
Motion passes, those items are approved.
00:51:44.280 --> 00:51:45.800
And Agreed Enforcement orders,
00:51:45.800 --> 00:51:48.390
there are 223 Agreed Enforcement orders.
00:51:48.390 --> 00:51:51.870
I move that we approve items 89 through 311.
00:51:51.870 --> 00:51:53.083
Is there a second?
00:51:53.083 --> 00:51:53.916
Second.
00:51:53.916 --> 00:51:54.810
Second, Commissioner Christian.
00:51:54.810 --> 00:51:56.294
All those in favor say "Aye."
00:51:56.294 --> 00:51:57.170
Aye.
00:51:57.170 --> 00:51:58.890
Motion passes, those items are approved.
00:51:58.890 --> 00:52:00.800
That concludes the Hearing section matters,
00:52:00.800 --> 00:52:03.564
and we'll now take up our Administrative Agenda.
00:52:03.564 --> 00:52:04.397
Morning.
00:52:04.397 --> 00:52:06.350
Good morning, Chairman, Commissioners.
00:52:06.350 --> 00:52:07.973
Wei Wang, Executive Director.
00:52:09.030 --> 00:52:10.340
I have good news today.
00:52:10.340 --> 00:52:12.750
As of last Friday, we have already met
00:52:12.750 --> 00:52:15.030
our well-plugging goal for the year, 979,
00:52:15.030 --> 00:52:19.740
and we're continuing to plug more wells,
00:52:19.740 --> 00:52:23.240
and I do wanna mention that the average plugging cost
00:52:23.240 --> 00:52:26.760
is going up compared to the last couple of years.
00:52:26.760 --> 00:52:28.963
I just wanna point that out.
00:52:29.950 --> 00:52:31.894
That concludes my report for today and I'm available
00:52:31.894 --> 00:52:32.727
for questions.
00:52:32.727 --> 00:52:34.980
And I'm making the assumption because we're plugging
00:52:34.980 --> 00:52:37.835
deeper wells and other things, or is it just the cost
00:52:37.835 --> 00:52:40.250
in the industry?
The cost of contractors
00:52:40.250 --> 00:52:42.250
and also the fact that we're plugging more,
00:52:42.250 --> 00:52:45.704
so yeah, some of the deeper wells, you know,
00:52:45.704 --> 00:52:47.060
the depths of the wells.
00:52:47.060 --> 00:52:48.730
Okay, great, thank you, Wei.
00:52:48.730 --> 00:52:50.734
Are there any questions for Wei this morning?
00:52:50.734 --> 00:52:52.080
Alright.
00:52:52.080 --> 00:52:53.313
Item 313.
00:52:54.470 --> 00:52:55.303
Morning.
00:53:01.830 --> 00:53:02.663
Good morning.
00:53:04.750 --> 00:53:07.710
Vanessa Burgess, Assistant General Council for the record.
00:53:07.710 --> 00:53:10.760
We have nothing to report on item 313.
00:53:10.760 --> 00:53:13.670
It is my understanding that we have someone here
00:53:13.670 --> 00:53:15.560
who would like to give some public comment,
00:53:15.560 --> 00:53:17.130
and we think that that would be more appropriate
00:53:17.130 --> 00:53:19.553
that it was reserved under item 316,
00:53:21.120 --> 00:53:24.250
so I'll go ahead and move on to item 314,
00:53:24.250 --> 00:53:26.320
which pertains to Commissioner approval
00:53:26.320 --> 00:53:28.520
of certain contracts pursuant to the Commission's
00:53:28.520 --> 00:53:33.253
delegation of authority, and also under Section 2261.254
00:53:34.540 --> 00:53:36.840
of the Texas Government Code.
00:53:36.840 --> 00:53:38.900
The Commission's internal delegation of authority
00:53:38.900 --> 00:53:40.950
requires Commissioner approval of contracts
00:53:40.950 --> 00:53:45.710
and associated amendments greater than or equal to $500,000.
00:53:45.710 --> 00:53:49.623
Section 2261.254 of the Texas Government Code
00:53:49.623 --> 00:53:52.900
requires approval of contracts and associated amendments
00:53:52.900 --> 00:53:54.593
greater than one million dollars.
00:53:55.580 --> 00:53:57.620
At issue today are two solicitations
00:53:57.620 --> 00:54:01.010
with projected award amounts over one million dollars.
00:54:01.010 --> 00:54:04.100
One, solicitation is out of the Kilgore district office
00:54:04.100 --> 00:54:06.560
for future well-plugging services,
00:54:06.560 --> 00:54:09.030
and the other consists of an IT solicitation
00:54:09.030 --> 00:54:11.850
for agency inspection and enforcement tracking
00:54:11.850 --> 00:54:13.053
and reporting system.
00:54:13.900 --> 00:54:15.910
Approval of these items today will ensure
00:54:15.910 --> 00:54:18.570
agency operations remain on schedule
00:54:18.570 --> 00:54:20.680
and that the necessary approvals will be in place
00:54:20.680 --> 00:54:24.190
pursuant to the Commission's delegation and state law.
00:54:24.190 --> 00:54:25.650
A summary of these agreements,
00:54:25.650 --> 00:54:26.483
I'm sorry,
00:54:26.483 --> 00:54:29.020
a summary of these solicitations, including solicitation
00:54:29.020 --> 00:54:32.020
number and amount, were included in your notebooks.
00:54:32.020 --> 00:54:34.360
Staff asks the Commission approve these agreements
00:54:34.360 --> 00:54:37.110
and solicitation pursuant to the Commission's
00:54:37.110 --> 00:54:40.200
delegation of authority and state law. Thanks.
00:54:40.200 --> 00:54:41.846
Are there any questions?
00:54:41.846 --> 00:54:42.679
Nope.
00:54:42.679 --> 00:54:44.610
I move we approve the staff's recommendation.
00:54:44.610 --> 00:54:46.080
Is there a second?
Second.
00:54:46.080 --> 00:54:47.180
Second, Commissioner Sitton.
00:54:47.180 --> 00:54:48.314
All in favor say "Aye."
00:54:48.314 --> 00:54:49.147
Aye.
00:54:49.147 --> 00:54:50.250
Motion passes, items approved.
00:54:50.250 --> 00:54:52.390
Thanks.
Thank you.
00:54:52.390 --> 00:54:54.033
Alright, item 315.
00:54:56.725 --> 00:54:58.010
Good morning.
00:54:58.010 --> 00:54:59.927
Good morning.
00:55:00.933 --> 00:55:02.960
Good morning, Chairman, Commissioners.
00:55:02.960 --> 00:55:04.790
For the record, my name is Jason Clark,
00:55:04.790 --> 00:55:06.730
Assistant Director of Administrative Compliance,
00:55:06.730 --> 00:55:08.480
Oil & Gas Division.
00:55:08.480 --> 00:55:09.620
Today, we bring for your approval
00:55:09.620 --> 00:55:12.117
proposed revisions to the Oil Well Status Report,
00:55:12.117 --> 00:55:16.450
the form W-10, and the associated form W-10 Instructions.
00:55:16.450 --> 00:55:18.060
This request is being generated as part
00:55:18.060 --> 00:55:19.770
of the Oil Field Relief Initiative
00:55:19.770 --> 00:55:21.740
in conjunction with the proposed rule amendments
00:55:21.740 --> 00:55:24.570
to Statewide Rules 52 and 53.
00:55:24.570 --> 00:55:27.110
Staff is seeking permission to publish the revised forms
00:55:27.110 --> 00:55:29.780
on the Commission's website, gather public comment,
00:55:29.780 --> 00:55:31.460
then report back any comments received
00:55:31.460 --> 00:55:35.090
and any action staff has taken to satisfy those comments.
00:55:35.090 --> 00:55:37.020
The shaded portions of the forms
00:55:37.020 --> 00:55:38.850
and instructions in your notebook
00:55:38.850 --> 00:55:40.510
represent the proposed revisions.
00:55:40.510 --> 00:55:41.910
I'm available for questions.
00:55:43.210 --> 00:55:44.043
Thank you, Jason.
00:55:44.043 --> 00:55:46.280
I'm assuming if we get any different comments
00:55:46.280 --> 00:55:49.000
on our W-10 rule that those will be reflected
00:55:49.000 --> 00:55:50.970
at some point if we need to make a different change,
00:55:50.970 --> 00:55:51.803
correct?
Yes, Commissioner.
00:55:51.803 --> 00:55:52.680
Great, alright.
00:55:52.680 --> 00:55:55.173
Are there any other questions?
00:55:56.270 --> 00:55:58.200
I move we approve the staff's recommendation.
00:55:58.200 --> 00:55:59.550
Is there a second?
Second.
00:55:59.550 --> 00:56:00.830
Second, Commissioner Christian.
00:56:00.830 --> 00:56:01.963
All in favor say "Aye."
00:56:01.963 --> 00:56:02.796
Aye.
00:56:02.796 --> 00:56:03.870
Motion passes, items approved.
00:56:03.870 --> 00:56:05.530
Thank you very much.
00:56:05.530 --> 00:56:08.160
Alright, we are at item 316,
00:56:08.160 --> 00:56:10.540
which is our public participation item.
00:56:10.540 --> 00:56:12.870
We do have a gentleman, Mr. Morgan,
00:56:12.870 --> 00:56:15.390
I don't know where he is.
00:56:15.390 --> 00:56:16.940
Oh, yes sir, if you'll come up.
00:56:18.480 --> 00:56:19.923
He's got a comment,
00:56:21.150 --> 00:56:24.020
he's got some comments about our Draft Railroad Commission
00:56:24.020 --> 00:56:27.386
Strategic Plan that he has given us written comments.
00:56:27.386 --> 00:56:28.768
We'll give you about three minutes
00:56:28.768 --> 00:56:30.470
if you will
Thank you.
00:56:30.470 --> 00:56:32.446
Summarize what you've given us, yes sir.
00:56:32.446 --> 00:56:34.352
And if you'll state your name for the record, yes sir.
00:56:34.352 --> 00:56:36.166
Professional engineer in Texas.
00:56:36.166 --> 00:56:38.360
I've been performing engineering design
00:56:38.360 --> 00:56:41.120
and construction and operational facilities
00:56:41.120 --> 00:56:42.650
for 50 years,
00:56:42.650 --> 00:56:44.133
and I've been studying this noise issue
00:56:44.133 --> 00:56:47.603
that I want to be addressed for about 10 years.
00:56:49.715 --> 00:56:52.410
A strategic plan is supposed to, according to,
00:56:52.410 --> 00:56:53.823
probably a law, 1818,
00:56:56.910 --> 00:57:01.260
control issues around oil and gas facilities
00:57:01.260 --> 00:57:03.773
to protect the public health and the environment,
00:57:04.750 --> 00:57:08.590
and in the strategic plan, they address gas wells
00:57:08.590 --> 00:57:09.540
and oil wells,
00:57:09.540 --> 00:57:12.663
not even, it doesn't anything about gas, it says oil wells,
00:57:13.860 --> 00:57:18.070
and they do not address the compressor stations,
00:57:18.070 --> 00:57:21.230
and compressor stations are the main component
00:57:21.230 --> 00:57:22.620
of oil and gas facilities
00:57:22.620 --> 00:57:25.190
that generates low-frequency noise,
00:57:25.190 --> 00:57:27.260
and the main reason for us being here today,
00:57:27.260 --> 00:57:32.260
the need to have this added to the rules
00:57:32.320 --> 00:57:35.860
is that we don't have these state laws
00:57:35.860 --> 00:57:37.783
to protect us from noise,
00:57:39.170 --> 00:57:42.800
and the EPA washed their hands of it in 1982.
00:57:42.800 --> 00:57:45.460
The problem is that we have people dying
00:57:45.460 --> 00:57:48.100
because of low-frequency noise.
00:57:48.100 --> 00:57:50.460
Noise below 500 cycles per second
00:57:50.460 --> 00:57:52.563
down to about 25 cycles per second.
00:57:53.530 --> 00:57:56.960
We've had, in Freestone County, four people die
00:57:56.960 --> 00:57:58.750
from the noise issue.
00:57:58.750 --> 00:58:02.250
I have taken noise readings with a $3,000 noise meter
00:58:02.250 --> 00:58:05.040
at their home after they died
00:58:05.040 --> 00:58:07.930
or while they were in the hospital and then died,
00:58:07.930 --> 00:58:11.188
of extremely low-frequency from intensity,
00:58:11.188 --> 00:58:16.188
high intensity of 85 decibels to 101 decibels,
00:58:16.450 --> 00:58:19.040
and I've been run out of my home practically every day
00:58:19.040 --> 00:58:21.270
for the past 10 years.
00:58:21.270 --> 00:58:24.270
I have a $350,000 home I can't really live in.
00:58:24.270 --> 00:58:26.023
I get to use it a few hours a day.
00:58:27.530 --> 00:58:32.530
So, there's a great need to address the compressor stations
00:58:33.590 --> 00:58:34.913
in our strategic plan.
00:58:36.170 --> 00:58:39.170
We have babies having brain damage while they're in the womb
00:58:40.030 --> 00:58:42.281
and we have older people having dementia,
00:58:42.281 --> 00:58:44.663
I mean it's a womb-to-tomb issue.
00:58:44.663 --> 00:58:47.460
It's not just a hearing issue.
00:58:47.460 --> 00:58:49.600
It's a whole body pathology,
00:58:49.600 --> 00:58:52.240
according to the people in Lisbon, Portugal,
00:58:52.240 --> 00:58:54.670
who have studied this stuff for 45 years,
00:58:54.670 --> 00:58:56.420
and I've got lots of data from them
00:58:57.260 --> 00:58:59.833
to support my contentions.
00:59:01.380 --> 00:59:04.100
And Freestone County, if you look at the very last page,
00:59:04.100 --> 00:59:06.073
there's a map showing Freestone County,
00:59:07.040 --> 00:59:11.380
and that map shows, and it's different colors,
00:59:11.380 --> 00:59:13.710
those little dots on there, yellow dots, green dots,
00:59:13.710 --> 00:59:14.543
red dots.
00:59:14.543 --> 00:59:17.340
That's different corporations' compressor stations'
00:59:17.340 --> 00:59:18.860
locations.
00:59:18.860 --> 00:59:23.860
There's 130 gas compressor stations in Freestone County
00:59:24.150 --> 00:59:27.970
supporting 3,058 gas wells.
00:59:27.970 --> 00:59:32.940
Freestone County is number seven in number of counties,
00:59:32.940 --> 00:59:36.090
number seven in the state for gas wells,
00:59:36.090 --> 00:59:39.210
and so these compressor stations are all over the place.
00:59:39.210 --> 00:59:42.190
There's no safe place in Freestone County,
00:59:42.190 --> 00:59:43.770
depending on time of day.
00:59:43.770 --> 00:59:46.370
They might crank them up late at night.
00:59:46.370 --> 00:59:48.710
They may have them cranked up at four or five o'clock
00:59:48.710 --> 00:59:51.273
in the morning, but I have to get up and run,
00:59:52.229 --> 00:59:54.380
because I can't, my head can't take that.
00:59:54.380 --> 00:59:58.150
My blood pressure's been as high as 212 over 112.
00:59:58.150 --> 00:59:59.830
That's immediate stroke stage.
00:59:59.830 --> 01:00:02.420
You have to get up and leave, get out of the area
01:00:02.420 --> 01:00:04.000
to protect yourself,
01:00:04.000 --> 01:00:05.890
and I've also found there's other stuff
01:00:05.890 --> 01:00:07.830
even from the President's Black Book
01:00:07.830 --> 01:00:09.190
that talked about some stuff
01:00:09.190 --> 01:00:11.530
that you could do to your home to help protect yourself,
01:00:11.530 --> 01:00:12.520
and I have done that.
01:00:12.520 --> 01:00:15.200
I've spent thousands of dollars trying to make my
01:00:16.320 --> 01:00:19.970
master bedroom a safe room, and it'll become that.
01:00:19.970 --> 01:00:24.910
So, it's a strategic issue that's got to be addressed.
01:00:24.910 --> 01:00:27.490
It's got be in the strategic plan.
01:00:27.490 --> 01:00:31.003
There's these 27 counties that have all this,
01:00:31.914 --> 01:00:32.747
all these issues.
01:00:32.747 --> 01:00:34.590
I've got a list of them here.
01:00:34.590 --> 01:00:35.840
Let me see what they did.
01:00:39.480 --> 01:00:40.630
Okay, about page eight.
01:00:40.630 --> 01:00:42.530
I don't have a number, just beyond the
01:00:45.150 --> 01:00:47.807
House Bill 1818, and there's a list here that says,
01:00:47.807 --> 01:00:51.010
"Texas counties with a thousand or more gas wells."
01:00:51.010 --> 01:00:54.850
There's 27 counties with a thousand or more gas wells.
01:00:54.850 --> 01:00:57.270
We happen to have 3,058.
01:00:57.270 --> 01:01:00.520
Fort Worth in Tarrant County has 4,200,
01:01:00.520 --> 01:01:02.460
and they have lots of babies over there
01:01:02.460 --> 01:01:05.400
being born early and having brain damage
01:01:05.400 --> 01:01:07.100
while they're still in the womb.
01:01:07.100 --> 01:01:09.700
These are atrocities against American citizens.
01:01:09.700 --> 01:01:13.280
We have to address this in our strategic plan,
01:01:13.280 --> 01:01:18.220
so these 27 counties here should be addressed first
01:01:18.220 --> 01:01:19.930
in the strategic plan.
01:01:19.930 --> 01:01:22.200
These are the ones we need to address
01:01:22.200 --> 01:01:24.210
that are harming our people so bad,
01:01:24.210 --> 01:01:26.700
and say, "Hey, you've got to have,
01:01:26.700 --> 01:01:28.700
determine," and I've got rules here
01:01:28.700 --> 01:01:32.680
that I would like to have included in the strategic plan
01:01:32.680 --> 01:01:35.507
to say "these are the rules you need to use when you go out
01:01:35.507 --> 01:01:38.350
"and check these facilities,
01:01:38.350 --> 01:01:40.100
"with a particular type of noise meter
01:01:40.100 --> 01:01:41.660
"with certain capabilities.
01:01:41.660 --> 01:01:43.060
"You're looking for this."
01:01:43.060 --> 01:01:44.360
It's all in there.
01:01:44.360 --> 01:01:49.240
And test these compressor stations, each one of them
01:01:49.240 --> 01:01:51.410
in these 27 counties.
01:01:51.410 --> 01:01:56.060
It's gonna take some time, but it is a major health issue
01:01:56.060 --> 01:01:57.103
for Texas.
01:01:58.152 --> 01:01:58.985
Thank you.
01:01:58.985 --> 01:02:03.985
So I request you have these issues included
01:02:04.610 --> 01:02:08.560
in the strategic plan to protect our citizens.
01:02:08.560 --> 01:02:09.843
Thank you very much for being here.
01:02:09.843 --> 01:02:10.690
I have one question.
01:02:10.690 --> 01:02:11.820
Of course, sorry.
01:02:11.820 --> 01:02:15.990
Mr. Morgan, obviously we all are concerned
01:02:15.990 --> 01:02:18.110
when anybody's suffering in any capacity,
01:02:18.110 --> 01:02:19.210
whether it's a health issue,
01:02:19.210 --> 01:02:21.060
it's a personal property issue.
01:02:21.060 --> 01:02:22.860
We take those things very seriously.
01:02:23.810 --> 01:02:27.840
You've made a lot of claims today about the impacts of noise
01:02:27.840 --> 01:02:31.690
on health on babies, on lifespan.
01:02:31.690 --> 01:02:34.350
Are there any scientific studies from here
01:02:34.350 --> 01:02:35.530
in the United States?
Yes, sir.
01:02:35.530 --> 01:02:36.900
An institution we'd be aware of?
01:02:36.900 --> 01:02:38.800
What institution conducted that study?
01:02:39.650 --> 01:02:42.950
The Bloomberg Medical Center at the University of Maryland
01:02:42.950 --> 01:02:44.650
has did a lengthy study,
01:02:44.650 --> 01:02:47.010
I'm sorry I didn't attach it to this,
01:02:47.010 --> 01:02:48.670
a lengthy study saying that wherever
01:02:48.670 --> 01:02:50.414
there's oil and gas operations,
01:02:50.414 --> 01:02:54.968
they have damage to babies while they're still in the womb,
01:02:54.968 --> 01:02:57.340
and early life.
You said it was the
01:02:57.340 --> 01:02:59.180
Bloomberg Medical Center,
01:02:59.180 --> 01:03:02.763
and I'll email you a copy of that if I can get your email.
01:03:04.220 --> 01:03:05.053
I'll email it to all of you.
01:03:05.053 --> 01:03:06.840
Bloomberg Medical Center, where?
01:03:06.840 --> 01:03:07.930
The Bloomberg Medical Center
01:03:07.930 --> 01:03:09.430
at the University of Maryland.
01:03:13.460 --> 01:03:18.460
And I addressed that to the Railroad Commission review folks
01:03:19.430 --> 01:03:22.160
and they understood.
01:03:22.160 --> 01:03:22.993
I'll look that up.
01:03:22.993 --> 01:03:23.831
Thank you, Mr. Morgan.
01:03:23.831 --> 01:03:24.664
Thank you.
Thank you
01:03:24.664 --> 01:03:25.510
very much for being here.
01:03:25.510 --> 01:03:26.560
Thank you.
01:03:26.560 --> 01:03:27.810
Okay.
01:03:27.810 --> 01:03:31.420
Item 317 is our Executive Session item,
01:03:31.420 --> 01:03:33.220
which we won't be going into today.
01:03:33.220 --> 01:03:35.670
Are there any other duly posted matters
01:03:35.670 --> 01:03:37.740
to be brought before the Commission at this time?
01:03:37.740 --> 01:03:39.640
Hearing none, this meeting of the Railroad Commission
01:03:39.640 --> 01:03:40.800
is adjourned.
Madam Chairman,
01:03:40.800 --> 01:03:41.633
Oh, sorry.
01:03:41.633 --> 01:03:43.270
Just to make
I was going too fast.
01:03:43.270 --> 01:03:44.128
That's right.
01:03:44.128 --> 01:03:45.863
Can I make just a personal commentary here?
01:03:45.863 --> 01:03:46.696
Sure.
01:03:46.696 --> 01:03:49.230
Number one, I think, I'm presumptively on the part
01:03:49.230 --> 01:03:51.457
of the Railroad Commission, our staff,
01:03:51.457 --> 01:03:53.526
and our employees all across state extending
01:03:53.526 --> 01:03:56.920
our condolences to the families in Santa Fe, Texas,
01:03:56.920 --> 01:03:58.941
and our concerns to them.
01:03:58.941 --> 01:04:02.330
We are concerned when that happens to folks in Texas,
01:04:02.330 --> 01:04:05.170
so I hope I can presumptively extend our condolences
01:04:05.170 --> 01:04:07.390
for all of the staff across the state
01:04:07.390 --> 01:04:09.030
of the Texas Railroad Commission
01:04:09.030 --> 01:04:10.360
for that situation.
01:04:10.360 --> 01:04:12.320
And then secondly, I'd like to make a report
01:04:12.320 --> 01:04:14.647
I think was quite revealing to me
01:04:14.647 --> 01:04:15.700
on a trip out
01:04:15.700 --> 01:04:17.560
to the American Legislative Exchange conferences.
01:04:17.560 --> 01:04:20.440
They were to go to Israel a couple weeks back
01:04:20.440 --> 01:04:24.730
back whenever, the week prior to the moving of the embassy,
01:04:24.730 --> 01:04:28.560
the week that we were there, but more importantly,
01:04:28.560 --> 01:04:31.420
it was very revealed to me that for the past 70 years,
01:04:31.420 --> 01:04:33.640
which is the length of time for the nation of Israel
01:04:33.640 --> 01:04:36.730
established, that the United States has never been able,
01:04:36.730 --> 01:04:41.070
or has chosen not to, because of our dependence on the oil
01:04:41.070 --> 01:04:44.490
in the Middle East, absolutely go alongside Israel
01:04:44.490 --> 01:04:46.970
in the confrontation of any kind.
01:04:46.970 --> 01:04:50.010
We have England, France, many times NATO,
01:04:50.010 --> 01:04:52.710
but we never have actually done it,
01:04:52.710 --> 01:04:55.360
not that we want to or I'm insinuating we should,
01:04:55.360 --> 01:04:58.310
but the reason was that we were so dependent
01:04:58.310 --> 01:05:00.920
upon that Mideast oil, we did not want to antagonize
01:05:00.920 --> 01:05:03.520
the area against the United States.
01:05:03.520 --> 01:05:07.180
We had dinner with the United States Ambassador to Israel,
01:05:07.180 --> 01:05:09.520
and for the first time in decades,
01:05:09.520 --> 01:05:11.210
we're about to approach, if not already,
01:05:11.210 --> 01:05:14.090
energy security in the United States,
01:05:14.090 --> 01:05:16.210
largely because of the tremendous find
01:05:16.210 --> 01:05:19.123
that we've had in the field out in the Permian Basin,
01:05:19.960 --> 01:05:23.930
and I asked the ambassador, and just one of the folks
01:05:23.930 --> 01:05:26.060
in the industry and the folks that are involved
01:05:26.060 --> 01:05:28.880
to understand what a part Texas plays in this.
01:05:28.880 --> 01:05:30.557
I asked the ambassador, I said,
01:05:30.557 --> 01:05:34.480
"In the negotiation for moving the capital and in Israel,
01:05:34.480 --> 01:05:37.320
has the discovery of oil in west Texas
01:05:37.320 --> 01:05:38.930
made any significant contribution
01:05:38.930 --> 01:05:40.120
because of energy security?"
01:05:40.120 --> 01:05:42.836
His quoted response to me,
01:05:42.836 --> 01:05:45.740
"All the difference in the world,"
01:05:45.740 --> 01:05:48.040
and he said, "Not only in Israel,
01:05:48.040 --> 01:05:50.890
but in all of our negotiations worldwide."
01:05:50.890 --> 01:05:53.200
We now have the security to be able to negotiate
01:05:53.200 --> 01:05:55.930
we've never had in the past because of this security.
01:05:55.930 --> 01:05:57.760
So I just thought it was important for the Commission,
01:05:57.760 --> 01:06:00.020
for the industries, for folks to understand
01:06:00.020 --> 01:06:02.830
how significant this time in history is,
01:06:02.830 --> 01:06:04.680
not only to us, but the entire world.
01:06:05.720 --> 01:06:06.553
Thank you.
01:06:07.550 --> 01:06:09.000
Thank you, thanks.
01:06:09.000 --> 01:06:11.120
It looks like y'all had an interesting trip.
01:06:11.120 --> 01:06:12.674
It was interesting.
01:06:12.674 --> 01:06:14.373
And thank you for the condolence piece.
01:06:14.373 --> 01:06:16.150
I appreciate you bringing that up.
01:06:16.150 --> 01:06:17.600
Anything else?
01:06:17.600 --> 01:06:18.690
Alright, hearing none,
01:06:18.690 --> 01:06:20.280
this meeting of the Railroad Commission is adjourned.
01:06:20.280 --> 01:06:21.113
Thank you.