Important Messages:

Texas.Gov Payments General Maintenance

Notice to Operators: RRC Online Payments will be intermittently unavailable October 29, 2026, from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM CT.  During this time, customers using RRC applications will be unable to process online payments through Texas.gov payment services and will be redirected to a maintenance page and unable to complete payments until after the maintenance is complete.

Proposed Rule Amendments: §§ 3.15 and 3.58

The proposed amendments to rules §§ 3.15 and 3.58, related to Senate Bill 1150 (89th Legislative Session, 2025), have been posted for public comment. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026. For more information, including an online comment form, please visit the RRC Proposed Rules page.

Surface Coal Mining & Exploration

One of the state's most abundant energy resources is a form of soft coal called lignite. Many lignite deposits lie close to the surface, easily reached with modern mining technology. In 1975, the Texas Legislature gave the Railroad Commission jurisdiction to regulate surface mining for coal and uranium. Companies mining coal/lignite in Texas must have a Commission permit and post a bond for each site they operate in the state. The goal of the coal mining regulations is that the mined land is returned to a condition that is as good as, or better than, it was before mining. Division field personnel make, at a minimum, monthly visits to mine sites, checking for compliance with coal mining regulations.

Surface Mining Programs

Commissioners

Research

General

Audiences