Bills To Prevent Wildfires Sparked by Oil and Gas Field Power Lines Signed into Law
Legislation addresses the likely source of the 2024 Panhandle Wildfires
AUSTIN, Texas — A package of bills that will eliminate what state investigators called a regulatory “no man’s land” that allows for faulty oil and gas field power equipment to go unaddressed, creating the type of hazard blamed for starting the worst wildfires in Texas history, were signed into law by the governor ahead of Sunday’s bill signing deadline.
House Bill 143, House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, all by state Rep. Phil King, are in response to the February 2024 Panhandle Wildfires that killed three people and burned more than 1 million acres. A subsequent Texas House investigation found that a brittle oilfield utility pole snapping and falling on dry grass was the likely start of the wildfires. The state’s oil and gas regulator, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) claimed they lacked the regulatory authority to inspect the poles or hold operators accountable for faulty power equipment.
“State regulatory agencies exist to protect the public. Now that the governor has signed these bills, the Railroad Commission and PUC will have the regulatory authority they need to prevent wildfires,” said Kamil Cook, climate and clean energy associate for the Texas office of Public Citizen. “The Texas Legislature has done its part; now, these agencies must cooperate with local landowners and fire departments to prevent another disaster. State leaders must also acknowledge the role climate change plays in making wildfires more likely through higher temperatures and increased droughts.”
HB 143 will require the Railroad Commission to determine if utility poles meet the National Electrical Code when the agency conducts oil and gas field inspections. HB 144 requires public electric utilities to develop a plan for managing and inspecting distribution poles and grants the PUC oversight of these plans. HB 145 requires utilities to produce wildfire mitigation plans. Additionally, Senate Bill 34 will commission a study on wildfires, establish a statewide database of firefighting equipment and increase funding for volunteer fire departments.