The Department of Conservation is responsible for conducting rulemakings to adopt and amend regulations covering a variety of areas.
To be added to the regulations listserv for notice on important rulemaking activities please send your request for subscription to comments@conservation.ca.gov.
Navigate to information and documents related to current rulemaking efforts for the following packages:
Department of Conservation
For information about rulemaking efforts from previous years, visit our
Past Rulemakings page.
Department of Conservation
Professional Services Contracts Amendment
On March 24, 2023 the Department of Conservation released for public comment regulations that would expand the applicability of Sections 1690 through 1698 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations to the entire Department, rather than only applying to CalGEM. The comment period closes on May 9, 2023. Comments or questions regarding the documents listed below can be submitted to
christine.hansen@conservation.ca.gov.
California Geologic Energy Management Division
SB 1137 Emergency Rulemaking
On January 6, 2023, CalGEM's emergency regulations to support implementation of the requirements of Senate Bill 1137 that take effect in 2023 were approved by the Office of Administrative Law, filed with the Secretary of State, and made effective the same day. More information can be found
here.
Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations (Pre-Rulemaking)
On April 4, 2022, CalGEM released a pre-rulemaking Discussion Draft for the purpose of receiving public input on proposed regulations for cost estimates for oil and gas operations. The comment period closes on May 20, 2022. Comments can be submitted to
calgemcostestimates@conservation.ca.gov.
Statewide Geothermal Regulations
On February 8, 2022, CalGEM released a second pre-rulemaking Discussion Draft for the purpose of receiving public input on proposed statewide regulations for geothermal wells. The comment period closed on April 8, 2022. CalGEM staff are reviewing comments received and updating the draft rules as appropriate.
From February 16, 2018 through March 30, 2018, CalGEM accepted public comment on the first pre-rulemaking Discussion Draft of proposed Statewide Geothermal Regulations. Department staff reviewed the public feedback received and made changes to the comprehensive Discussion Draft that is being released in 2022.
Public Health (Pre-Rulemaking)
On October 21, 2021, the California Department of Conservation's Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) released for public comment a set of science-based health and safety draft regulations to protect communities and workers from the impacts of nearby oil and gas production operations. The comment period closed on December 21, 2021. Comments received during the comment period are being reviewed and considered in developing proposed regulations for formal rulemaking.
For more details, visit the
Public Health rulemaking page.
Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Phase-Out (Pre-Rulemaking)
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.
SB 463 Chemical Inventory & Root Cause Analysis (Pre-Rulemaking)
On September 28, 2021, CalGEM released a pre-rulemaking discussion draft of regulations for the purpose of receiving public input on the development of a rule for underground gas storage facilities that would require the submission of a chemical inventory and evaluation of risk associated with the root causes identified by Blade Energy Partners for the Aliso Canyon blowout in 2015. The comment period closed on November 30, 2021. Comments received during the comment period are being reviewed and considered in developing regulations for formal rulemaking.
