In the past, gathering systems in Texas did not get much attention from regulators. Liquid and gas gathering systems in rural areas were previously exempt from the Railroad Commission of Texas (Texas RRC). The RRC always had jurisdiction over non-rural gathering systems, but in 2013, Governor Rick Perry signed into law H.B. 2982. H.B. 2982 authorizes the RRC to adopt and implement safety standards applicable to the intrastate transportation of hazardous liquids, carbon dioxide, and natural gas in rural locations by gathering pipelines. Is there a rule? No, not yet. Although the RRC has the authority to implement new safety standards for these rural gathering systems, no rule has been implemented just yet. The RRC has not adopted or proposed a rule on the regulation of Class 1 and rural gathering systems. But will there be a rule? Almost certainly, yes. But before the RRC can craft a rule, they must be able to assess the risk presented by these gathering systems. The RRC conducted a survey of pipeline operators of Class 1 and rural gathering systems to gain additional information in 2014 and 2015. For now, we can assume that the RRC is still working on them.
Further reading: