By Ahuva Battams On April 24, 2026, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published 40 rulemaking actions to update, clarify, or amend federal pipeline safety regulations (49 C.F.R. Parts 190–199). These include: The Final Rules made editorial and technical corrections to Parts 191, 192, and 195, most of which become effective August 3, […]
Geothermal energy developers working on federal lands have a new tool in their permitting toolkit. Effective April 28, 2026, BLM established a new categorical exclusion (CE) that allows the agency to approve notices of intent for small-scale geothermal exploration projects—disturbing up to 10 acres of land—to proceed without preparing a full Environmental Assessment (EA) or […]
Beatty & Wozniak is pleased to announce the relocation of our Denver office, effective May 1, 2026. The firm is now located at: 1801 California Street, Suite 3650Denver, CO 80202 This move marks an important milestone in the firm’s growth as we continue to expand our team and our expertise. The new office provides a […]
Practical Implications for Projects in Ozone Nonattainment Areas By Bret Sumner, and Raj Lahoti A recent Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) decision vacating Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) approval of a large scale federal natural gas development project in Wyoming addresses how Clean Air Act (CAA) general conformity analyses must account for emissions from […]
Carbon capture developers facing multi-year federal permitting delays may soon have a faster path forward. New Mexico is proposing state-specific rules that could slash Class VI underground injection well approval times from years to approximately six to eight months—a potential game changer for project economics, investment decisions, and the state’s competitiveness in the growing carbon […]
By Miguel Suazo and Raj Lahoti Last week, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) convened a full-day stakeholder workshop in Project No. 58481 to gather input on implementing new large-load interconnection standards under PURA §37.0561. The workshop included extensive participation from electric utilities, ERCOT, large-load customers (including data center and industrial developers), and trade […]
By Miguel Suazo and Jacob Everhart The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (“PRC”) recently initiated a formal rulemaking process to consider extensive amendments to the Community Solar Rule under 17.9.573 NMAC (the “Rule”). The proposed amendments are the result of multiple stakeholder working groups and include both primary proposals and identified alternatives across core elements […]
By Theresa Sauer and Jacob Everhart This week, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) published two direct final rules (“DFR”) to amend its regulations pertaining to minimum statewide bonding requirements, high pressure flare measurement and sampling requirements, and leak detection and repair (“LDAR”) reporting. Bonding On December 18, 2025, BLM published a DFR to amend […]
The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (“OCD”) recently provided advance notice to industry and operators regarding the staggered implementation of new policy requirements. In total, three Notices propose to change OCD requirements for the following processes: (1) Changes to the Hearing Submission Process, (2) Procedure for Deviation from Orders, and (3) Evidentiary Requirements for Compulsory […]
DENVER (September 8, 2025) — Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., a nationally recognized oil and gas, energy, and natural resources law firm, is proud to announce that Francis Barron has joined the firm as its first General Counsel in Residence. With more than 35 years of experience, Barron is a respected corporate and securities attorney who […]