Geologic Energy Management Laws and Rulemaking

The Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM, formerly DOGGR) intends to take a fresh look at building upon the existing regulatory framework for well construction and address issues identified by CalGEM and other key stakeholders.

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.

• Final Text of the Regulations (PDF)
• OAL Approval Letter
• Final Statement of Reasons (PDF)
• Public Comment Summaries and Responses (July 27, 2018 - September 13, 2018)
  
• Public Comment Summaries and Responses (October 29, 2018 - November 14, 2018)
  
• Public Comment Summaries and Responses (February 12, 2019 - February 28, 2019)
  
• Updated Informative Digest (PDF)
• Notice of Exemption for Idle Well Regulations (PDF)

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.

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. 

• 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 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)

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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.