Proposed Revision to That Portion of the Approved Texas Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program Administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)

EPA received an application to revise portions of Texas' approved Underground Injection Control (UIC) program for Class III brine mining injection wells. After careful review of the application, EPA determined the revision to the RRC UIC program warrants approval. Further, the relevant UIC regulation at 40 CFR 145.32(b)(2) requires that whenever EPA determines the proposed program revision is substantial, EPA shall publish its decision in the Federal Register and in enough large newspapers to achieve statewide coverage to allow the opportunity for the public to comment for at least 30 days. By this notification, EPA advises the public of the nature of the proposed action, time-frame during which public comment will be taken, and the address where comments should be forwarded. The regulation provides an opportunity for the public to request a hearing. Such a hearing shall be held if there is significant public interest based on requests received. As such, this action advises the public of the hearing request process and opportunity to request a hearing. The application to revise portions of the State's UIC program, and public comments received in response to this document will provide EPA with the essential information necessary to approve, disapprove, or approve in part, the proposed revision submitted under Section 1422 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This action is being taken to ensure that the proposed revisions of the Texas UIC program which describe the statutes and regulations governing underground injection are incorporated by reference into the Code of Federal Regulations.