News Releases

The Texas Pipeline Association (TPA) elected Larry Bell, Chief Commercial Officer of Kinder Morgan Intrastate Pipelines, as it's chairman at the association's Annual Meeting on January 26, 2024.

In extreme weather events – such as Winter Storm Uri – and every day of the year, learn how the Texas pipeline industry’s competitive market design ensures that Texans benefit from an efficient, cost-efficient system that delivers some of the lowest energy prices in the nation.

The Texas midstream industry is a powerhouse that contributes to the state’s economic output, jobs and government revenues, according to a new study conducted by the Center for Energy Commerce at Texas Tech University and commissioned by the Texas Pipeline Association (TPA).

The Texas Pipeline Association (TPA) elected Vincent DiCosimo, Vice President of Government Affairs at Targa Resources Corp., as its chairman at the association’s Annual Meeting in Houston on January 6, 2023.

As part of the response to Winter Storm Uri, the Texas State Legislature passed SB3 and the Railroad Commission of Texas has finalized rules regarding weather emergency preparedness standards for natural gas facilities, including pipelines and related midstream infrastructure. TPA has been working diligently with these and other regulatory entities to ensure the integrity of the energy grid during extreme winter weather events, while continuing to maintain the ability of the energy industry to deliver a safe, reliable and affordable source of natural gas to Texas consumers.

Wondering how the midstream industry operates in Texas? The industry follows well-established and fundamental legal principles in all commercial dealings, including during extreme weather events. Read more in an Op Ed published by the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Shay Bluntzer was reelected Chairman of the Texas Pipeline Association on January 14, 2022.

Since a similar (but smaller scale) winter storm hit Texas in 2011, "midstream companies had begun hardening their facilities, implementing heat tracing and applying heating elements and wraps to valves and controls that might freeze. More enclosures around controls have been built since February, and back-up generators, including some that run on diesel, have been installed. Learn more in this link to an article that was published in the Midland Reporter Telegram.

Gas pipelines do not freeze because they are “naturally insulated” by being buried underground. In addition, natural gas itself does not freeze (it takes temperatures below -297 degrees Fahrenheit to freeze natural gas). Learn more by reading the article that was published in the Austin American-Statesman.  

SB 3 creates a new regulatory structure in response to Winter Storm Uri that mandates the creation of new entities, such as the Texas Energy Reliability Council and the Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee. TPA is working closely with state agencies to submit comments on the proposed rules to ensure the safe, reliable delivery of energy products, while protecting the needs of Texas residents during an emergency and all year round.