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Inflation Reduction Act
Oklahoma Enters the Fray of Endangered Species Sue-and-Settle
On March 17, 2014, the State of Oklahoma sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, taking aim at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's habit of settling large Endangered Species Act cases with Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations. The lawsuit signals an...
New Spotlight on Spill Prevention and Emergency Response
Two high-profile industrial accidents in the last year have focused public attention on compliance with often-overlooked federal standards for spill prevention and emergency response planning. As legislatures contemplate stricter standards and agencies dial up their enforcement, industrial facilities may wish...
EPA Proposes TCEQ Take Over GHG Permitting in Texas
On Tuesday, February 4, 2014, EPA issued a pre-publication copy of a proposed rule that if adopted would transfer greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting in Texas from EPA Region 6 to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The proposed rule...
EPA Issues NPDES Permit that Includes Limited Chemical Disclosure Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations Offshore California
Region 9 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday made available the finalized National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit applicable to discharges from oil and gas exploration facilities offshore Southern California. NPDES General Permit No. CAG280000 (2014 NPDES...
EPA adopts new standard for conducting All Appropriate Inquiries
In a rule published on December 30, 2013 and effective immediately upon publication, EPA formally adopts a new standard for conducting All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) at potentially contaminated sites. 78 Fed. Reg. 79319. The AAI rule outlines steps for potential...
Unlocking the Potential of Shale Gas in the UK Energy Mix
The UK is continuing to edge closer to realising the potential of its domestic shale gas resources. In mid-December 2013, the UK government published a report, known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Further Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing (the...
Texas Greenhouse Gas Rules: Upcoming Hearing and End of Comment Period
As we discussed in an October post , the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has proposed rules to create a greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting program for the state of Texas and take over permitting authority from the U.S. Environmental...
California Releases New Proposed Regulations Applicable to Oil and Gas Well Treatments
Today, the California Department of Conservation ("DOC") released proposed regulations applicable to oil and gas well stimulation activities in the state. This follows up on the passage of SB 4 back on September 20, 2013, which established the first set...
Fracking in Europe "“ EU Parliament has voted to require Environmental Impact Assessments for shale gas developments
On 9 October 2013, the European Parliament narrowly voted in favour of an amendment to the EU's Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (EIA Directive) which would require environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to be performed for hydraulic fracturing for coal bed methane...
Texas Regulators Take First Steps to Acquire Greenhouse Gas Permitting Authority
On October 4th, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) released a preliminary draft of a proposal to establish greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting regulations for the state of Texas. This action kicks off what is likely to be a lively...
EPA Releases Testing, Reporting and Compliance Deadlines for Oil and Gas Storage Tanks
Yesterday, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register final amendments to sections of its 2012 New Source Performance Standard OOOO (NSPS OOOO) applicable to storage vessels used in the production, processing, transmission and storage of...
Coast Guard Looks to Expand Safety and Environmental Management Systems to Vessels on the OCS
On September 10, 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (APNRM) in the Federal Register stating its intent to propose regulations that will require vessels engaged in exploration, development or production activities on the Outer...
Number Four "“ DOE Approves LNG Exports for Cove Point
On September 11, 2013, the Department of Energy ("DOE") issued an order authorizing Dominion Cove Point, LNG, LP ("Cove Point") to export to non-Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") countries up to 0.77 Bcf/day of domestically produced liquefied natural gas. This is...
Checking Off the List: DOE Approves a Third Non-FTA LNG Export Authorization
The Department of Energy ("DOE") recently issued its third order authorizing the export of liquefied natural gas ("LNG") to non-Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") countries. This latest order, for Lake Charles Exports, LLC ("Lake Charles"), will allow exports of up to...
EPA Issues New Final Greenhouse Gas Clean Air Act Permit
On June 10, 2013, EPA issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit to PL Propylene, LLC for construction of combustion turbines, heaters, waste heat boilers, and a flare at an existing propane dehydrogenation plant in...