Geologic Energy Management Laws and Rulemaking

The Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) prioritizes protecting public health and safety and the environment in its oversight of the oil, natural gas, and geothermal industries in California.

Current Laws

Active Rulemaking

Public Comment Period Opens for Leak Detection at Oil and Gas Operations

On February 29, 2024, the Department of Conservation’s California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) released a Request for Information seeking feedback on technologies and processes that can be used to effectively ensure leaks associated with oil and gas operations are being detected.

Public Comment will be accepted until 5pm May 31, 2024.

Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Phase-Out

On February 9, 2024 the Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) released the Well Stimulation Permitting Phase-Out regulation for official public comment under the Administrative Procedures Act.

The 45-day public comment period ended on March 27, 2024. All comments received will be considered for incorporation into the regulation.

Text of the Regulation (PDF)
Notice of Proposed Action (PDF)
Initial Statement of Reasons (PDF)
Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment (PDF)
Department of Finance Comments on the SRIA (PDF)
Department of Conservation’s Response to SRIA Comments (PDF)

PLEASE NOTE: : The proposed rulemaking action would not amend CalGEM’s regulations for geothermal operations and would not impact geothermal development.

SB 551 -- Cost Estimate Regulations

On January 2, 2024, the Department of Conservation sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil & Gas Operations. The public notice initiated a second 15-day public comment period that ended on January 17, 2024.

The following documents relied upon have been added to the record.

Department of Conservation, Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations, Public Hearing Presentation

On November 27, 2023, the Department of Conservation sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil & Gas Operations. The public notice initiated a 15-day public comment period that ended on December 12, 2023.

On August 18, 2023, the Department of Conservation’s California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) released the Cost Estimate Regulations Oil & Gas Operations for official public comment under the Administrative Procedures Act. The release began a 45-day public comment period that ended on October 4, 2023. All comments received will be considered for incorporation into the regulations..

Past Rulemaking

2019

Idle Well Regulations (Assembly Bill 2729)
On March 20, 2019, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Idle Well Testing and Management Regulations. The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State and took effect on April 1, 2019.
On February 12, 2019, the Department of Conservation sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Requirements for Idle Well Testing and Management. The public notice initiates a 15-day public comment period that will end February 28, 2019 at 5:00 p.m..
- Second Revised Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- 15-day Public Notice (PDF)
On October 29, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Requirements for Idle Well Testing and Management. The public notice initiated a 15-day public comment period that ended November 14, 2018.
- First Revised Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- 15-day Public Notice (PDF)
- The following documents have been added to the rulemaking file as documents relied upon:
On July 27, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties related to Requirements for Idle Well Testing and Management. The publication of this notice initiated a public comment period that ended on September 13, 2018. DOC is reviewing all public comments received.
Pre-Rulemaking:
In 2017, DOC accepted public comments on pre-rulemaking draft regulations (a discussion draft) related to updates to Idle Well Regulations implementing the provisions of Assembly Bill 2729 (Williams, Chapter 272, Statutes of 2016). The official rulemaking process will commence with the release of the formal draft regulations.
Discussion draft regulations (PDF)
Public Notice (PDF)

Underground Injection Control (UIC) Regulations
On February 6, 2019, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations. The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State and took effect on April 1, 2019.
- Final Text of Regulations (PDF)
- OAL Approval (PDF)
- Final Statement of Reasons (PDF)
- Public Comment Summaries and Responses (July 27 - September 13, 2018) (PDF)
- Public Comment Summaries and Responses (October 29 - November 14, 2018) (PDF)
- Updated Informative Digest (PDF)
- Notice of Exemption (PDF)
On October 29, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations. The public notice initiated a 15-day public comment period that concluded November 14, 2018.
- First Revised Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- 15-day Public Notice (PDF)
- The following documents have been added to the rulemaking file as documents relied upon:
On July 27, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties related to Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations. The publication of this notice initiated a public comment period that ended on September 13, 2018. DOC is reviewing all public comments received.
Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)

Notice of Proposed Action (PDF)

Initial Statement of Reasons (PDF)

Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment (SRIA) (PDF)

Department of Finance comments on the SRIA (PDF)

Department of Conservation's response to SRIA comments (PDF)
Pre-Rulemaking:
In 2017, DOC accepted public comment on the released Version 2 of pre-rulemaking draft regulations (discussion draft). DOC provided two separate drafts for review. One indicates the changes to current regulations, while the second draft shows the changes since the original discussion draft. The official rulemaking process will commence with the release of the formal draft regulations.
Discussion Draft Version 2 (amends current regulations)
Discussion Draft Version 2 (amends original Discussion Draft)
Public Notice
Version 1 of Discussion Draft Regulations
From January 21-March 4, 2016, DOC released Version 1 of its discussion draft regulations and held an informal public comment period.
Discussion Draft Version 1
Public Notice

2018

2016

Aquifer Exemption Compliance Schedule Regulations

2014

Well Stimulation Treatment Permanent and Emergency Regulations
(Senate Bill 4)

2010

Oil/Gas Facilities Maintenance Regulations (Assembly Bill 1960)