Active Rulemakings

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 OLRA@conservation.ca.gov.

For information about rulemaking efforts from previous years, visit our Past Rulemakings page.

California Geologic Energy Management Division

Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations

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 ends on December 12, 2023.

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

On August 18, 2023, the Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations were posted in the Office of Administrative Law Notice Register. This began a 45-day public comment process that ended on October 4, 2023.

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 closed on May 20, 2022. All comments are being considered as the regulations are being finalized 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.

Notice of Public Comment Period (PDF)

Discussion Draft of Rule (PDF)

Blade Energy Partners Report - Root Cause Analysis of the Uncontrolled Hydrocarbon Release from Aliso Canyon SS-25, May 16, 2019

Main report
Volume 1 - Approach
Volume 2 - SS-25 Well Failure Causes
This file is too large to email and cannot be accessed through this website. To obtain a link where you can download a copy of Volume 2 only, please send a request to OLRA@conservation.ca.gov.
Volume 3 - Post SS-25 Leak Events
Volume 4 - Aliso Canyon Casing Integrity - Part 1 of 2
Volume 4 - Aliso Canyon Casing Integrity - Part 2 of 2

Statewide Geothermal Regulations (Pre-Rulemaking)

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.

Discussion Draft (PDF)
Notice of Public Workshop & Notice of Public Comment Period (Eng) (PDF)

All workshops have been completed.

Aviso de Taller Publico y Aviso de Periodo de Comentarios Publicos (Esp) (PDF)

Todos los talleres han sido completados.

Frequently Asked Questions (Eng) (PDF)
Preguntas Frecuentes (Esp) (PDF)

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 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.

Shortly after being filed with the Secretary of State, the requirements of Senate Bill 1137 were stayed by referendum and will be voted upon in November 2024. More information can be found here.

Active Rulemakings

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 OLRA@conservation.ca.gov.

Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations

SB 463 Chemical Inventory & Root Cause Analysis (Pre-Rulemaking)

Statewide Geothermal Regulations (Pre-Rulemaking)

Public Health (Pre-Rulemaking)

Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Phase-Out (Pre-Rulemaking)

SB 1137 Emergency Rulemaking

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​​​​​Active Rulemaking​​s

To be added to​ the regulations listserv for notice on important rulemaking activities please send your request for subscription to OLRA@conservation.ca.gov​.

Cost Estimate Regulatio​ns f​o​r Oil an​​d Gas Operations

SB 463 Chemical Inventory & Root Cause Analysis (Pre-Rulemaking)

Statewide Geo​thermal Regulations​​ (Pre-Rulemaking)

Public Health (Pre-Rulemaking​)

Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Phase-Out (Pre-​​Rulemaking)

SB 1137 Emergency Ru​l​​e​making​

​Professional Services Contracts Amendment​

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Active Rulemakings

To be added to the regulations listserv for notice on important rulemaking activities please send your request for subscription to OLRA@conservation.ca.gov.

Cost Estimate Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations

Statewide Geothermal Regulations (Pre-Rulemaking)

Public Health (Pre-Rulemaking)

Well Stimulation Treatment Permitting Phase-Out (Pre-Rulemaking)

SB 1137 Emergency Rulemaking

Professional Services Contracts Amendment