Judith McGarry opposes House Bill 49 at legislative hearing on water reuse safety

During a recent meeting of the Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources, significant concerns were raised regarding House Bill 49, which addresses the reuse of produced water from oil and gas operations. Public testimony highlighted strong opposition from environmental advocates and landowners, who argue that the bill poses risks to public health and safety.

Judith McGarry, representing the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, expressed her concerns about the bill's provision for a liability shield for companies that handle produced water. She argued that if the water is indeed safe, there should be no need for such protections. McGarry emphasized that contaminated land and water could jeopardize the ability of farmers and ranchers to produce safe food, urging the committee to reconsider the implications of the bill.

Phil, a representative of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, echoed these sentiments, stating that only a fraction of the chemicals in produced water have established treatment and toxicity standards. He pointed out that other states, like New Mexico, have deemed the reuse of produced water unsafe, and he urged the committee to prioritize the health and safety of Texans over the interests of the oil and gas industry.

The committee also discussed House Bill 4413, which aims to support the use of renewable biomass in manufacturing. Senator Hancock highlighted the importance of this bill in promoting economic growth and innovation in Texas. The legislation seeks to establish clear definitions and methods for tracking renewable materials in products, allowing Texas manufacturers to compete globally.

Public testimony on House Bill 4413 was supportive, with Chris Noonan from Covestro emphasizing the potential for using agricultural byproducts in manufacturing processes. He noted that the bill would enable companies to scale their use of bio-based materials efficiently, contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing landscape.

As the committee concluded the meeting, both bills were left pending, with the discussions reflecting a broader concern for environmental safety and economic innovation in Texas. The outcomes of these legislative efforts will be closely watched, as they hold significant implications for the state's agricultural and industrial sectors.