Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
What's New?
With the the rising interest in expanding domestic petroleum supplies in a time of "peak oil" and in avoiding the transfer of vast amounts of wealth to possibly unfriendly regimes, renewed attention is being given to the legal framework controlling oil and gas exploration and production (E&P). This report documents the efforts of more than 30 states that regulate the oil and gas industry. While highlighting recent developments, the report also finds that many state regulatory schemes date from earlier waves of resource extraction, and have not kept pace with changed technologies, nor with a deepening concern forpublic health and the environment. The Center is pleased to announce the publication of Selected Topics in State and Local Regulation of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, researched by Kelly Corcoran ('08), Katherine Joseph ('09), Elizabeth Laposata ('09), and Eric Scott ('08).
Read the five page executive summary.
Read the full report (with executive summary).
News
In October, 2007, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted hearings on exemptions from federal environmental laws for the oil and gas industry. A hearing summary and transcripts are available online.
Colorado promulgated updated regulations for oil and gas exploration and production in December 2008, codified at 2 Colo. Code Regs. section 404-1 et seq.
Other resources
Earthworks is a national organization with various projects focusing on mining and oil and gas activities. Its website offers information about oil and gas procedures, interactions between communities and industry, and health and environmental impacts of oil and gas activities.
The Interstate Oil and Gas Commission is an agency made up of representatives from the governor's offices of various states. The IOGC is an advocacy organization, and also frequently publishes reports on oil and gas industry activities affecting the states. One of its reports is a summary of state statutes and regulations for oil and gas production.
The National Resources Defense Council frequently publishes reports about the effects of oil and gas activities. An October 2007 report by Amy Mall, who testified at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearings, explores the health and environmental effects of oil and gas production. The report provides accounts of communities impacted by production activities, and offers solutions for reducing harmful effects of oil and gas activities.