News & Updates

GWPC Checklist for Regulators on Well Integrity

10-03-2016

-- A commentary by Adam Peltz, Environmental Defense Fund

After several years of collaboration among regulatory experts from across the country, the Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC), recently published a set of 136 “Regulatory Elements” intended to provide regulators with ideas to consider when improving oversight of the permitting, construction, operation and plugging of oil and gas wells.

This may sound dry, but regulations addressing these elements are what keep oil and gas wells from blowing up during drilling or later leaking methane, oil, saltwater,...

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Alabama State Geologist, Berry H. "Nick" Tew, Jr., Recognized for Contributions to the Field of Geoscience

09-26-2016

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Berry H. “Nick” Tew, Jr., the
State Geologist of Alabama, with the AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the
Geosciences, its highest award. He is recognized for his roles, abilities and successes in bringing academia,
government, industry and the public together to address major societal challenges in the geosciences.

Dr. Tew has served as State Geologist and Oil and Gas Supervisor of Alabama for 14 years and, in these
capacities, he directs the Geological Survey of...

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Study shows high potential for groundwater to be corrosive in half of US states

08-04-2016

A new U.S. Geological Survey assessment of more than 20,000 wells nationwide shows that untreated groundwater in 25 states has a high prevalence of being potentially corrosive. The states with the largest percentage of wells with potentially corrosive groundwater are located primarily in the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Northwest.

This...

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California Releases Draft Gas Storage Regulations

07-12-2016

The California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (Division) has publicly released pre-rulemaking draft regulations (Discussion Draft) for the purpose of receiving public input on the development of updates to the regulations governing the Division’s Gas Storage Program.

The Division will be conducting two public workshops to provide information and answer questions from the public on the Discussion Draft. The public workshops are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

August 9, 2016 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Natural Resources...

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Court says BLM lacks authority to regulate fracking

06-22-2016

By: Ellen M. Gilmer, E&E reporter, EnergyWire: Thursday, October 1, 2015

The Obama administration does not have authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on public lands, a federal judge decided yesterday.

In a major blow to the Bureau of Land Management and environmentalists who support stricter fracking oversight, the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming enjoined BLM's years-in-the-making fracking rule, blocking enforcement of the new regulation while the court considers industry and state challenges...

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