Item 2- Draft Recommendation TGS Franchise Leak Detection 2 of 2 — original pdf

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RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20260120-XX Recommendation on Leak Detection and Repair in Texas Gas Service Franchise Agreement WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a 20-year franchise agreement with Texas Gas Service (TGS), which is the Company’s license to operate in the City’s right of way; and WHEREAS, methane leaks are an inherent risk in the operation of gas utilities and can pose significant safety concerns for people, businesses and infrastructure; and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the residents of the City of Austin to have visibility into the frequency and severity of methane leaks and the mitigation and repair procedures being employed to minimize the risk; and WHEREAS, minimum leak detection standards are established by federal and state law and the City’s current franchise agreements include only general provisions requiring gas utilities to comply with applicable federal and state regulations; and WHEREAS, the public has limited visibility into the efforts to detect and reduce leaks, the effectiveness of such efforts, the frequency, duration, and persistence of non-hazardous leaks, and the volume of methane emissions from ongoing leaks; and WHEREAS, current advanced leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs may include highly sensitive vehicle-mounted detectors, infrared optical imaging and other methodologies, but are continuously evolving; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Resource Management Commission recommends that the City require in its upcoming franchise agreement that Texas Gas Service: 1. Employ industry-leading advanced leak detection and repair technologies throughout the term of the agreement, including technologies that increase the speed and sensitivity of leak detection, expand the search footprint, reduce response time for gas emergencies, and/or increase the repair speed of leaks within the City, 2. Regularly update its LDAR practices to reflect technological advancements, 3. Submit annual reports to the City on the performance of its LDAR programs within the City. Information in reports could include but is not limited to: ○ LDAR practices & technology employed including leak detection survey frequency and mitigation strategies ○ Fugitive methane emissions and fugitive methane emissions rate ○ Average response time for gas emergencies ○ Average leak repair time