The Biden administration is restoring significant state and tribal authority over water resources and expanding their leverage on infrastructure permitting decisions, including for pipelines. With a final rule announced this...more
With California facing a hotter and drier future punctuated by bouts of extreme weather, state officials are moving forward with a new framework for urban water use that could require some suppliers to make cuts of 20% or...more
On May 4, 2023, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a long-awaited notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) titled “Pipeline Safety: Gas Leak Detection...more
La Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) de Colombia, el 12 de agosto de 2022, expidió la Resolución 948 de 2022, "Por la cual se adoptan las reglas para la entrega de la línea base de fugas de gas natural y la entrega y...more
Congress recently passed legislation with a reauthorization of the pipeline safety programs through 2023 as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety...more
Focus - Department of Interior sues California to block Bay-Delta Plan - Sacramento Bee - March 28 - The U.S. Department of Interior on Thursday sued to block California's ambitious plan to reallocate billions of...more
Focus - Andrew Wheeler confirmed to lead EPA - New York Times - February 28 - The Senate on Thursday confirmed Andrew Wheeler to be the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In his role as acting...more
Following Supreme Court precedent, the Tenth Circuit recently held that plaintiffs’ settlement and voluntary dismissal of their claims did not transform the court’s interlocutory order denying class certification into a...more
Focus - Sempra subsidiary agrees to $119.5 million settlement for Aliso Canyon methane leak — biggest in U.S. history - THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE - Aug 8 State and local officials on Wednesday announced a tentative...more
A federal judge recently refused an insured’s attempt to escape a policy exclusion by contending that a large “storage bin” on wheels was a “vehicle” under an exception to the exclusion, which prohibited coverage for costs...more
On February 23, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a prepublication notice to change the Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources rule (“2016 Rule”). The...more
A Petroleum Marketers Association of America (“PMAA”) February 13th publication noted the White House’s proposal for funding the federal leaking underground storage tank program. The Arkansas Oil Marketers Association is a...more
The Missouri Court of Appeals (Eastern District) addressed in a December 19th opinion a coverage issue involving a Premises Pollution Liability Policy (“ PPL policy”). See Hazelwood Logistics Center, LLC v. Illinois Union...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - California extends emergency drought regulations despite heavy rain and snow - Sacramento Bee - Feb 8 - The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Trump EPA pick: still 'some debate' over human role in climate change - The Guardian - Jan 18 - During a combative Senate confirmation hearing this week, Scott Pruitt,...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Cities sue FAA over new flight plans - Los Angeles Times - Oct 27 - Citing concerns about the potential for increased aircraft noise and pollution, Newport Beach officials...more
Law360, New York (October 24, 2016, 11:47 AM EDT) -- On Oct. 14, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published an interim final rule (IFR) establishing procedures to implement new imminent hazard...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Federal Plan divvies up California desert for conservation and energy projects - ABC News - Sep 14 - Swaths of public land in the California desert will be opened to solar and...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - In California's climate debate, state lawmakers push for more authority - Los Angeles Times - Aug 11 - Over the last two weeks, a bipartisan group of assembly members have...more