# Mandatory Removal and Replacement Program

**Citation:** 16 TAC § 8.208  
**Type / status:** regulation / current  
**Agency:** Railroad Commission of Texas  
**Effective:** 2024-12-09  
**Published:** Not stated

(a) Effective September 1, 2008, this section applies to each operator of a gas distribution system that is subject to the requirements of 49 CFR Part 192. (b) For leaks identified on any underground compression coupling used to mechanically join steel pipe, each operator shall either replace the le

## Document text

(a) Effective September 1, 2008, this section applies to
each operator of a gas distribution system that is subject to
the requirements of 49 CFR Part 192.
(b) For leaks identified on any underground compression
coupling used to mechanically join steel pipe, each operator
shall either replace the leaking compression coupling or
repair it using a sleeve welded over the compression
coupling.
(c) Each operator shall repair or replace any
compression coupling used to mechanically join steel pipe
that is exposed during operation and maintenance activities
unless the operator can determine the coupling was installed
after 1980.
(d) For leaks identified on any underground compression
coupling used to mechanically join plastic pipe, each
operator shall remove and/or replace the leaking
compression coupling.
(e) For any other compression coupling used to join
plastic pipe that is exposed during operation and
maintenance activities, each operator shall:
(1) For plastic pipe two inches or less in diameter,
replace or remove such coupling unless the operator can
determine that the coupling is designated as an ASTM
(American Society for Testing and Materials) D2513
Category 1 type fitting.
(2) For plastic pipe greater than two inches in
diameter, replace or remove such coupling unless the
operator can determine that the coupling is designated as an
ASTM D2513 Category 1 or Category 3 type fitting.
(f) Each operator shall remove and replace all
compression couplings at currently known service riser
installations, identifiable by a meter number or a street
address, if they are not manufactured and installed in
accordance with ASTM D2513 for Category 1 fittings.
(g) Each operator shall complete the removal and
replacement of such compression couplings by November
30, 2009.
(h) Any coupling installed on plastic pipe after
September 1, 2008, shall be designed to meet the
requirements of ASTM D2513 Category 1.
(i) Any coupling installed on steel pipe after September
1, 2008, shall be designed to meet the requirements of 49
CFR Part 192, §192.273.
(j) Beginning January 15, 2025, and annually thereafter
until all compression couplings on the operator's system
subject to subsection (f) of this section have been removed
and replaced, each operator shall maintain a progress report
showing the number of service riser installations checked,
the condition of the coupling, and the total number of
compression couplings replaced for the prior calendar year.
Each operator shall retain this progress report and shall
provide a copy of the report to the Commission upon request.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=8&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=1&title=16>
- Source ID: `tx-rrc-tac`
- SHA-256: `efc630cdec3dbb4694e367bc01c67a8c0da37272b6533a3d79887418ace3afe1`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-12T04:11:18.106Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T05:03:45.072Z
- Document slug: `tx-tac-16-8-208`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "jurisdiction": "US-TX",
  "titleNumber": 16,
  "part": "1",
  "chapter": "8",
  "section": "8.208",
  "subchapter": "C",
  "subchapterTitle": "Requirements for Gas Pipelines Only",
  "pipelineScope": "texas-intrastate-pipeline-safety",
  "legalScope": "Current Railroad Commission of Texas pipeline-safety regulations in 16 TAC Chapter 8 for intrastate gas, hazardous-liquid, carbon-dioxide, specified production and gathering facilities, and Texas-water facilities, subject to the rule-specific scope and incorporated federal standards.",
  "applicabilityCaveat": "Chapter 8 does not apply uniformly to every pipeline or operator. Section 8.1 excludes facilities and transportation subject to federal jurisdiction, distinguishes gas, hazardous-liquid, carbon-dioxide, gathering, production, master-meter, distribution, and Texas-water facilities, and incorporates federal standards subject to Texas modifications. Determine Commission jurisdiction, commodity, facility class, location, exceptions, waivers, and the current incorporated federal edition before relying on a provision.",
  "sourceNote": "Source Note: The provisions of this §8.208 adopted to be effective September 1, 2008, 33 TexReg 4868; amended to be effective December 9, 2024, 49 TexReg 9960",
  "history": [
    {
      "action": "adopted",
      "effectiveOn": "2008-09-01",
      "registerCitation": "33 TexReg 4868"
    },
    {
      "action": "amended",
      "effectiveOn": "2024-12-09",
      "registerCitation": "49 TexReg 9960"
    }
  ],
  "references": [
    {
      "citation": "16 TAC § 192.273",
      "referenceType": "texas-administrative-code-section",
      "url": "https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=8&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=1&title=16"
    },
    {
      "citation": "16 TAC § 8.208",
      "referenceType": "texas-administrative-code-section",
      "url": "https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=8&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=1&title=16"
    },
    {
      "citation": "49 CFR Part 192",
      "referenceType": "federal-regulation-part",
      "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-192"
    },
    {
      "citation": "33 TexReg 4868",
      "referenceType": "texas-register-citation",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "49 TexReg 9960",
      "referenceType": "texas-register-citation",
      "url": null
    }
  ],
  "figureCount": 0,
  "tacPublicationUrl": "https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=8&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=1&title=16",
  "rrcRulesPageUrl": "https://www.rrc.texas.gov/pipeline-safety/rules/",
  "rrcConsolidatedPdfUrl": "https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/farb0a34/chapter-8-all-rule-text-and-figures-effective-feb25-2026.pdf",
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  "sourceLastModified": "Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:36:15 GMT",
  "editionEffectiveOn": "2026-02-25",
  "publicationStatus": "The Texas Secretary of State provides the current legal TAC compilation. The Railroad Commission consolidated PDF is an official agency convenience copy and states its as-of date; verify current text and applicability against the Secretary of State compilation.",
  "rights": "Texas state website policy allows copying under conditions that include accurate, non-misleading presentation, source agency identification, source URL, retrieval date, a no-endorsement statement, and preservation of protected intellectual-property notices. Agency seals, marks, and branding require separate care. This connector grants no license or warranty.",
  "region": "TX"
}
```