On Sept. 28, 2016, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development held a public hearing on one of the committee's interim charges for the 84th Legislative Session. The topic for discussion at the hearing centered on the impact and challenges Texas faces in implementing proposed federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations, including, but not limited to, the Clean Power Plan, reduction of methane and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from oil and gas facilities, ozone standards, and rules for regional haze, and waters of the U.S. A number of witnesses presented written and oral testimony regarding these issues, including representatives from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, the Office of the Attorney General, the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, and the Texas Oil and Gas Association.

Each of these issues will distinctly impact the energy industry in the state of Texas and around the nation, and we are continuing to follow these issues as they are considered in the Texas Senate.

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