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

California Geologic Energy Management Division Statutes and Regulations

Senate Bill 1137 (June 28, 2024): The provisions of Senate Bill 1137 are now in effect. More detailed information on the regulations can be found in the Notice to Operators.

Active Rulemaking

First Implementation Regulations Posted

On August 1, 2025 the SB 1137 First Implementation Regulations were posted in the OAL Notice Register. This began a 45-day public comment period ending September 18, 2025.

Join us at the public hearing!

A hybrid public hearing will be held on September 17, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. To register for the zoom event, click HERE.

For those who wish to attend in person, including those who require reasonable accommodation, seating will be available in rooms 2-302A and 2-302B on the 2nd floor of the Natural Resources Building at 715 P Street, Sacramento.

Public Comment Period on Draft Health Protection Zone (HPZ) Regulations:

On March 3, 2025, CalGEM released a Discussion Draft of Regulations for SB 1137 Health Protection Zones. This release kicked off a public comment period that ended March 31, 2025.

Underground Gas Storage Senate Bill 463: Chemical Inventory & Root Cause Analysis Regulations

On December 5, 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 SB 463: Chemical Inventory and Root Cause Analysis Regulations. The public notice initiated a 15-day public comment period that ended on December 20, 2024.

On September 5, 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 SB 463: Chemical Inventory and Root Cause Analysis Regulations. This began a 15-day public comment period which ended on September 20, 2024.

On April 19, 2024, the Underground Gas Storage SB 463: Chemical Inventory and Root Cause Analysis regulations were posted in the Office of Administrative Law Notice Register. This began a 45-day public comment period which ended on June 5, 2024.

Public Comment Period 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 ended May 31, 2024.

Past Rulemaking

2024

Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Phase-Out
On August 26, 2024, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Regulation. The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State and went into effect on October 1, 2024.
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 release began a 45-day public comment period that 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: This proposed rulemaking action would not amend CalGEM's regulations for geothermal operations and would not impact geothermal development.

On May 21, 2021, CalGEM released a pre-rulemaking draft of regulations for the purpose of receiving public input on the development of a rule that ends permitting for well stimulation treatments in 2024. The comment period closed on July 4, 2021. Comments received during the comment period are being reviewed and considered in developing proposed regulations for formal rulemaking.
- Notice of Well Stimulation Treatment Permit Phase-Out (PDF)
- Discussion Draft Rule (PDF)

Senate Bill 551: Cost Estimate Regulations
On June 21, 2024, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations. The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State and will take effect on October 1, 2024.
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.
- Notice of Availability of Modified Text and Documents Added (2nd 15-day)
- First Revised Text of Proposed Regulations
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.
Notice of Availability of Modified Text and Documents Added
First Revised Text of Proposed Regulations
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..

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)

Geologic Energy Management Laws and Rulemaking

California Geologic Energy Management Division Statutes and Regulations​​​

​Active Rulemaking​​​​