Holland & Hart's Climate Change News

EPA Issues Guidance Documents on Underground Injection Wells Used for Carbon Sequestration

EPA has issued four draft guidance documents intended to assist well owners implement EPA’s geologic sequestration regulation which established a new class of underground injection wells for carbon dioxide storage. 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE; OIL AND GAS - EPA Delays Mandatory GHG Reporting Deadline

By James Holtkamp

On March 1, EPA announced that it is delaying the 2011 deadline for reporting GHG emissions under its mandatory reporting rule in 40 CFR Part 98. According to EPA’s press release, the delay is needed in order to finalize a “user friendly online electronic reporting platform.”  The Federal Register notice on the extension has set the new deadline as September 30, 2011. 76 Fed. Reg. 14812 (Mar. 18, 2011).

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE; OIL AND GAS; ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE: New Source Performance Standards for GHG Loom for a Number of Sectors

By Emily Schilling

As EPA begins the process of designating New Source Performance Standards for emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHG”) from the utility and petroleum refining sectors, the agency is already acknowledging that it will be forced to at least consider NSPS for other sectors. New Source Performance Standards are industry-specific technology-based emissions controls.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE; OIL AND GAS; GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - STATE: New Mexico Bills to Overturn GHG Rules Die

By James Holtkamp

Six bills to reverse the state greenhouse gas reporting and cap-and-trade rules adopted by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board in 2010 were defeated in the Democratic-controlled New Mexico Legislature. The Legislature adjourned March 19, with the result that the measures are dead unless reintroduced in the 2012 legislative session.  In January, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered that the rules be published notwithstanding an attempt by new Governor Susana Martinez to halt the effectiveness of the rules (see last month’s Climate Change News).