Remediating sites with oil and gas contamination is typically an extensive process which must be tailored to the specific contamination, property, past or ongoing operations, and intended future use of the property. Depending on these factors, different programs will need to be followed and a determination must be made for which program is appropriate to seek regulatory approvals and closure. In Texas, the Railroad Commission offers the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP.）作为任何商业贷方，开发商，潜在购买者，业主和运营商没有造成或有助于污染网站的奖励;和操作员清理程序（OCP) which oversees operator led cleanups for sites identified by due diligence on oil and gas properties. We will discuss the primary differences between these two programs and their outcomes.
自愿清理计划
VCP通过将所有不负责任的缔约方从RRC关闭的责任证明（COC）释放所有不负责任的责任，表示最完整的责任。RRC VCP允许访问德克萨斯风险减少计划（TRRP）下提供的工具，以解决使用基于风险的或特定于特别的方法的污染。RRC VCP通常保证有过去发生的已知版本的属性，或者释放可能未知但仍需要评估的周围相邻区域中的活动。
RRC VCP是德克萨斯州石油和天然气受污染房地产的主要选择，并且是一个有吸引力的选择，特别是对于较大的交易和高价值属性。
RRC VCP注册和闭包流程包括以下步骤和报告：
- VCP应用程序
- I / II阶段评估
- Remedial Action Plan
- 地下水监测报告
- Closure Report
- 指定未来使用财产
- Closure strategy (protective of human health)
- 申请人为报告和关闭创建自己的预期时间表
Before going into the RRC VCP, the applicant must consider their desired property use or site-specific conditions that will influence the VCP process. The COC issued for the property is contingent on the future use of the property (residential, or commercial/industrial) and the respective restriction categories. If the property owner wants to change the permissible use of the property, they are responsible for the submission of a new application and the associated costs of the VCP process. Furthermore, if a new buyer wants to go into the program, they may opt to have the site remediated to more stringent residential use standards to enhance the property value and provide more flexibility when selling the property.
操作员清理程序
RRC操作员清理程序（OCP）负责监督操作员LED清理，以确保符合RRC规则。当土壤和/或地下水受到影响时（或有可能受到影响）或需要基于风险的现场评估时，通过RRC推荐设施在逐案中进入计划。运营商负责招标可能也需要土地所有者的同意。
The RRC OCP process includes the following:
- 溢出报告/第二阶段评估
- Remedial Action Plan
- 地下水监测报告
- Closure Report
- 指定未来的财产使用
- Closure strategy (protective of human health)
While the cleanup is operator led and the timeline is driven by how quickly the operator wants to “get in and out”, the RRC will enforce the operator more readily in terms of remediation, reimbursement of state expenses, and associated penalties. The RRC OCP project endpoint is a No Further Action Letter at closure, which does not release the operator from liability to the state.
在某些情况下，如果他们没有为网站上的污染造成污染，运营商可以进入RRC VCP。如果运营商购买新财产，请进行一期和II期，随后发现污染，他们有资格进入VCP并在完成后获得责任的发布。如果主动操作员发现历史污染，无论是否来自当前或以前的运营商，历史版本也可能属于RRC OCP。
通过各种监管计划导航封闭选项可能会令人困惑和困难。我们的顾问通过通过铁路委员会等法规清理计划等监管计划以及在申请和报告过程中提供的监管计划进行评估，修复和关闭受影响的财产。
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