It’s hard to find a relevant regulatory agency in the United States that isn’t regulating per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). EPA describes PFAS presence in the environment as “one of the most pressing issues...more
On July 22, 2019, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court invalidated a natural gas well site restoration requirement set by the Department of Environmental Protection in 2016, ruling it is unenforceable. ...more
On June 7, 2018, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the “Department”) announced the issuance of new general permits that fall in line with Pennsylvania’s commitment to...more
State Files Motion to Dismiss Federal Lawsuit by EQT - "Lawyers representing the Secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection have filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit by the natural gas company EQT over a...more
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently ruled that a challenge to Sunoco Pipeline L.P.’s (“Sunoco”) Mariner East Project under Article 1, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution (the “Environmental Rights Amendment”...more
Oil World Turns Upside Down as U.S. Sells Oil in Middle East - "Yet, in a trade that illustrates how the rise of the American shale industry is upending energy markets across the globe, the U.A.E. bought oil directly from...more
As part of Governor Wolf’s strategy to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas sites, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection published draft final permit revisions for the new GP-5A, GP-5 and Exemption 38....more
On November 30, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued in final form a new and a revised general permit meant to address methane emissions from the natural gas industry. The permits which were...more
Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promulgated final regulations to ensure that the Commonwealth will meet the 2020 statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits mandated by the...more
Expecting to initiate a formal rulemaking in March of this year, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invited final public comment on its pre-rulemaking draft Wind Energy Standards rule at a workshop held on...more
While many key provisions of Act 13 have now been struck down by the Supreme Court’s two Robinson decisions, much of the Act remains. Act 13 of 2012 represented a major overhaul of Pennsylvania’s oil and gas law and...more
We are pleased to share our 2016 Summary of New Maine Laws enacted during the Second Regular Session of Maine's 127th Legislature, which adjourned sine die April 29, 2016. We provide you this summary to help you stay...more
A Federal Magistrate Judge in Pennsylvania has ruled that an oil and gas exploration company may challenge a township ordinance that makes it unlawful to deposit flowback water into underground injection wells within the...more
Pennsylvania is currently a hotbed of regulatory initiatives focused on the oil and gas industry. The Environmental Quality Board, for example, will decide on February 3 whether to adopt the Department of Environmental...more
Pennsylvania is among the states taking initial steps required by federal regulations toward identifying areas experiencing unhealthful levels of airborne sulfur dioxide (SO2) and then developing programs to control emissions...more
Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House provides a high-level overview of recent activity at the Maine State House. New Interim DEP Commissioner - On Tuesday, September 8, at 4:30 pm Avery Day was sworn in as...more
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court (the Law Court) recently issued an important decision that confirms the broad authority of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) to review decisions of the Commissioner of the...more
On October 3, 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) unveiled a new draft policy that would strengthen its compliance and enforcement protocols for both unconventional and conventional oil and...more
On August 29, 2014, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released “Evaluation of Risk-based Decision Making,” a report prepared by CDM Smith under contract to the state. DEEP has now...more
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held unconstitutional several key provisions of Act 13 — the legislature’s broad amendment to the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act. The Supreme Court invalidated Section 3304 of Act 13, which placed...more
On November 20, 2013, the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (EHB) provided a compass for operators interested in applying for compulsory pooling orders with respect to oil and gas resources below the Onondaga Horizon....more