The Permian Basin Find It and Fix It Initiative

Effective through January 31, 2021, TCEQ's Office of Compliance and Enforcement is implementing a "find it and fix it” initiative to encourage compliance with air quality rules and regulations at oil and gas operations in the 61 counties comprising the Permian Basin.

How to Participate

1. Notify TCEQ of your intent to participate in the program starting November 2, 2020 and ending January 31, 2021 by completing and submitting the Permian Basin Find It and Fix It Notification Form.
   • After submitting the form, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your participation notice that includes instructions for submitting a compliance plan.
2. Submit a compliance plan using the Compliance Plan Submission Form within 30 days of the date you submit the notification form.
   • TCEQ may grant an additional 30-day extension, for a maximum response time of 60 days. To request a 30 day extension, email PermianEE@tceq.texas.gov with the reason for your request and the proposed submittal date. If approved, you will receive a confirmation email with the deadline for submitting your compliance plan.
   • If you do not submit a compliance plan within the specified time frame, you will be removed from the program.

Find It and Fix It Requirements

Starting on the date you submit your notification form; you have 180 days to return your facility to compliance as outlined in your compliance plan.

Example timeline:

• You submit a notification form on December 1, 2020
• You submit a compliance plan on or before Dec 31, 2020 (unless you requested and were approved for an additional 30 days to submit the compliance plan, in which case you submit it before January 30, 2021)
• You must return to compliance by completing actions outlined in your submitted compliance plan by May 30, 2021

Your compliance plan must identify:

• Proposed actions you will take to bring your facility into compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
  • If you have multiple facilities within the Permian Basin, they may be included in a single compliance plan.
  • If you have more than 10 facilities to submit, fill out our Compliance Plan Worksheet and email it to PermianEE@tceq.texas.gov before completing your Compliance Plan Submission Form.
• All necessary and appropriate actions to correct the identified deficiencies that can reasonably be corrected within 180 days.
  • For example, registration for a new authorization, a change in operations to achieve compliance with an existing authorization, or capital improvements.
• Proposed compliance deadlines for the completion of your plan.
  • All proposed actions in your plan must be completed no later than 180 days after submitting your participation notification form.

The Find It and Fix It program is only available to facilities who can complete their compliance plan within 180 days of submitting it. If your facility cannot achieve compliance with air permitting rules within this timeframe, you may request to enter into a Permian Basin Compliance Agreement with TCEQ’s Enforcement Division by notifying our staff at PermianEE@tceq.texas.gov. This agreement will allow time for capital improvements, applying for an initial or amended NSR permit, etc.

Environmental, Health, and Safety Audit Privilege Act (Audit Act)

Separate from the “find it and fix it” initiative, owners and operators may be eligible to seek immunity from administrative or civil penalties by making a “voluntary” disclosure of violation(s) under the Audit Act . Owners and operators choosing to self-audit under the Audit Act should contact the TCEQ Enforcement Division. Owners and operators may not participate in both the “find it and fix it” initiative and choose to self-audit under the Audit Act.

Participation in the Permian Basin Find It and Fix It program or Audit Act does not exempt your facility from any other applicable rules, reporting, notification, record keeping, or permit conditions. You must report emission events that occur during participation in the program to TCEQ in accordance with state and federal rules. TCEQ retains enforcement authority and will consider enforcement if program requirements are not met.

For more information on oil and gas compliance, please visit our Oil and Gas Activities webpage, or email us at PermianEE@tceq.texas.gov.

More Information

TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance section offers free, confidential help to small businesses and local governments working to comply with state environmental regulations. Call us at (800) 447-2827 or visit our webpage at TexasEnviroHelp.org.