Railroad Commission Adds More Online Mapping Data for Public Viewing
March 27, 2020AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas continues to enhance transparency by adding more data to its Public Geographic Information System (GIS) Map Viewer. The public can now view information on Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and Brownfield Response Program (BRP) sites around Texas – two programs designed to incentivize the remediation and redevelopment of abandoned oil and gas sites.
In addition, more layers have been added to the Environmental Permits information that is already available on the GIS Viewer. The new information shows Commercial Waste Disposal Sites and Discharge Permits that are related to oil and gas activities.
“Protecting the natural resources and the environment is a critical part of our agency’s mission in the energy industry,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive Director.
“The GIS data we added helps residents, operators and local governments easily access information related to the variety of work we do in remediation, cleanups and waste disposal around Texas.”
The VCP and BRP data on the interactive map includes information such as project size, project status, and Certificate of Completion for closed sites. Communities, engineers and banks can find the information very useful if they are planning any redevelopment initiatives near these sites.
The RRC’s Environmental Permit and Support Unit (EPS) will have a GIS map layer that identifies discharges, and all commercial waste management facilities, which includes disposal, reclamation, recycling and separation facilities. The new data will allow anyone to view information including the operator name, permit numbers and the types of wastes received and processed at the facility. Oil and gas operators and waste haulers can use the information to locate the most convenient authorized disposal facilities.
The new data is housed in the Public GIS Viewer at https://gis.rrc.texas.gov/GISViewer, and the user guide is available in the application as well as on the Public GIS Viewer webpage.
About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including almost 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.