Opposition is heating up against four offshore frac jobs permitted to occur off the Santa Barbara coastline. This year, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”) has permitted DCOR, LLC to utilize fracking technology to stimulate offshore wells. DCOR’s frac jobs, known as “mini-fracs,” were added to and approved under an already existing permit
New Lawsuit Challenges California’s Cap and Trade Auctions
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is facing another legal challenge to its cap and trade program – Morning Star Packing Co. v. California Air Resources Board (Sacramento Superior Court case no. 34-2013-80001464, filed April 16, 2013). A coalition of twelve companies, trade associations, and individuals filed the new lawsuit on Tuesday, challenging the legality
Another Bill Revised to Expand Regulation of Fracking Activities
Last week, California Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson amended the bill she introduced earlier this year to further regulate the management of water produced in fracking operations. The amended bill would also shift the prior focus from regulating fracking wastewater generally as hazardous waste to the regulation of fracking wastewater disposal. Specifically, it would prohibit the injection of any wastewater containing hazardous waste.
Continue Reading Another Bill Revised to Expand Regulation of Fracking Activities
Three New California Bills Proposed to Further Regulate Fracking
Last month, California legislators introduced three bills that relate to hydraulic fracturing. On February 20, 2013, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson introduced SB 395 to regulate water produced during fracking operations. The other two bills were introduced in the Assembly and relate to DOGGR’s approval of well drilling activities. On February 11, 2013, Assembly Member Marc Levine introduced AB 288 to require fracking-specific approval. On February 22, 2013, Assembly Member Das Williams introduced AB 982 to require an agency-approved groundwater monitoring plan for fracking operations.
Continue Reading Three New California Bills Proposed to Further Regulate Fracking
California Carbon Sequestration Bill Faces Uncertain Future
Senate Bill 34 (Carbon Capture and Storage Act of 2013), which would close certain key legal gaps that hinder carbon capture and storage in California, lost its sponsor late last week when Senator Rubio (D – East Bakersfield) suddenly resigned. Earlier this week the Senate Environmental Quality Committee decided to postpone its hearing on SB
Senator Steinberg’s CEQA Reform Bill Falls Short of Expectations
On Friday, February 22, Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) introduced a bill outlining proposed revisions to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A substantial CEQA reform bill championed by Senator Michael Rubio (D-Shafter) was highly anticipated in this legislative session. But, earlier in the day on Friday, Senator Rubio announced his resignation from the California State Senate
California Senate Votes Against Fracking Notification Bill
On Wednesday, the California Senate voted 17 to 18 against SB 1054, which would have required notification to nearby property owners of planned fracking operations. See the April 19, 2012, blog post for more details on the bill. The Senate granted the bill “reconsideration”, which would allow another vote before Friday’s deadline for bill advancement.
California Senate Committee and President Obama Act on Fracking
Last week, the California Senate’s National Resources Committee advanced a bill requiring notice to nearby property owners of planned fracking operations, and President Obama issued an Executive Order setting up an interagency working group to support safe and responsible fracking.
California law requires the operator to file a written notice of intent to commence drilling
Carbon Sequestration Bill Advances in California Legislature
Yesterday the California Senate’s Committee on Environmental Quality unanimously approved SB 1139(Carbon Capture and Storage Act of 2012), which was introduced by Senator Rubio (D – East Bakersfield) earlier this year. SB 1139 would advance carbon capture and storage by closing certain key gaps in California law identified in the California Carbon Capture and
New CA Law Impacts Companies That Had Entered Into the Lead-in-Jewelry Consent Judgment
Governor Brown signed into law new legislation (SB 646-Pauley) that ends what has been described as a dual track system for enforcing California’s Lead Containing Jewelry Law (Health and Safety Codes Section 25214.1-25214.4.2). The law, which regulates the levels of lead in jewelry, also contained an exemption for retailers that had joined a