On May 25, 2023, the United States Supreme Court again weighed in on what is to be considered a “water of the United States” (“WOTUS”) under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) in Sackett v. EPA, 143 S. Ct. 1322 (2023). The fundamental holding in Sackett is that the only wetlands qualifying as WOTUS are waters that are indistinguishable from traditionally…
BLM Proposes Raising Minimum Bonding by 15 – 20x Current Levels
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently proposed raising the minimum bonding requirements by a factor of 15 for individual federal leases, raising the minimum amount from $10,000 to $150,000, and by a factor of 20 for statewide bonds, raising the minimum amount from $25,000 to $500,000. The proposal, which would require the updated bonding amounts in place one year…
Texas Railroad Commission Moves Closer to Establishing Regulatory Framework for CO2 Sequestration
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) adopted new rules governing carbon capture and sequestration and storage at its August 22, 2023, Open Meeting. The rules go into effect on September 11, 2023, and are intended to align with the requirements of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. Importantly, these rules go into effect while the State…
Say Goodbye to COGCC
This week marks the end of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and the beginning of the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC). Senate Bill 2023-285, which was signed into law May 22, 2023, expands the Commission’s regulatory authority beyond oil and gas development to include deep geothermal energy production (geothermal resources more than 2,500 feet below surface),…
New Mexico Oil and Gas Regulators Send $40M Message: Noncompliance is Expensive
New Mexico’s oil and gas regulators levied some of the largest fines in state history on June 29, seeking over $40M from Amerdev, an Austin-based oil and gas company, for alleged violations of the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act (“AQCA”) and other oil and gas regulations. Section 74-2-12(B) of the AQCA authorizes a civil penalty of up to…
New Water Law Going Into Effect in July 2023 Enables New Mexicans to Band Together To Provide Improved Water Resources
The 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session saw the enactment of the Regional Water System Resiliency Act, which enables the creation of regional water authorities to strengthen New Mexico’s aging water infrastructure by enabling water user associations and other entities, to create partnerships to facilitate the enhancement of their collectives water infrastructure as recognized political subdivisions of the state of New…
2018 Archive – Energy News Alerts
Client Alert – February 21, 2018 New Colorado Flowline Rules – view Client Alert – May 1, 2018 Environmental Plaintiffs File Two Lawsuits Challenging Federal Oil and Gas Lease Sales in Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, Nevada and Utah – view October 2018 Oil and Water (or conflicting clauses in an oil and gas lease) Don’t Mix – view Air Update: Changes to Colorado Air Quality Regulations…
Seeking Dynamic Energy Attorneys
Beatty & Wozniak, a dynamic and expanding energy law firm, is recruiting oil and gas attorneys for our Santa Fe, New Mexico Office who are passionate about the industry and seeking to work with some of the world’s top energy companies. Our firm focuses on domestic energy development (conventional, renewable and emerging technologies), with many clients in the upstream and…
Renowned Energy and Environmental Attorney, Miguel Suazo, Joins Beatty & Wozniak
DENVER (April 18, 2023) — Beatty & Wozniak is elated to announce that Miguel Suazo has joined the firm as Shareholder, effective April 2023. Based in the Santa Fe, New Mexico office, Suazo is recognized for his distinguished accomplishments and remarkable client services in energy regulatory, natural resources and environmental law. Suazo brings with him a diverse background of nearly…
Beatty & Wozniak Promotes Theresa Sauer to Equity Shareholder
DENVER (February 21, 2023) — Beatty & Wozniak is delighted to announce that Theresa Sauer has been promoted to Equity Shareholder, effective January 2023. Based in the Denver, Colorado office, Sauer embodies a commitment to excellence and collaboration that allows Beatty & Wozniak to be a firm of choice for the energy and natural resources sectors. “Theresa epitomizes the firm’s…