America took another step toward energy security in Austin today when Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman proposed an initiative that would allow Texans to refuel natural-gas powered vehicles in their homes and garages.
Under current Texas law, compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling units are prohibited inside Texas homes. Rule 13.185 of the Texas Administrative Code requires that CNG refueling stations at residences be located outdoors.
However, since the adoption of Rule 13.185, the National Fire Protection Association, a leading organization with expertise in developing fire safety standards, has promulgated new guidelines which state that refueling units can be safely installed inside homes and garages.
With this in mind, Chairman Smitherman’s initiative to instruct staffers to amend Rule 13.185 was unanimously approved this morning. The amendments to the rule are expected to be presented at the Commission’s next open meeting on Oct. 2.
“It is critical that we continue to develop and use domestic natural resources so that we may move closer towards energy independence,” Smitherman said. “The combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling has resulted in unprecedented levels of natural gas production. Allowing installation of residential CNG refueling units indoors will make it easier for Texans to use natural gas as a transportation fuel.”