House Bill No. 459 aims to establish a policy by the Railroad Commission of Texas to eliminate the routine flaring of natural gas from regulated wells and facilities by December 31, 2031. The bill introduces a new section, 86.186, to the Natural Resources Code, which mandates the commission to create rules that may include regulatory, incentive-based, or voluntary approaches to achieve this goal. Additionally, the policy may set interim goals for individual wells or operators and allows for flaring only in safety or emergency situations, as well as for purposes authorized under existing law.

The bill also specifies that flaring cannot be conducted for extended periods for non-safety or non-emergency purposes. This legislative effort reflects a commitment to reducing waste and promoting more responsible management of natural gas resources in Texas. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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