I.  General Background

On December 17, 2024, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) adopted new comprehensive regulations governing the handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of oil and gas waste. The rules were published January 3, 2025, in the Texas Register and become effective on July 1, 2025. They codify formerly informal guidance and ad hoc permitting practices and also update existing oil and gas waste regulations to align with technological advancements.

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 7, 2025, Cal/OSHA released a draft proposal to revise the outdoor and indoor heat illness prevention regulations (8 CCR Sections 3395 and 3396), aiming to implement requirements from AB 2243, signed by Governor Newsom at the conclusion of the 2021-22 legislative session. These proposed changes alter how employers must respond to…

This Week! Wed. May 21: NALC Webinar Will Explore Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements for Farm Operators
Next Week: Fri. May 30: Understanding the Basics of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (free attorney CLE available)
Agribusiness: Pennsylvania Opens Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program, $500,000 Available
On May 17, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department…

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an amendment delaying the data submission period for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) PFAS reporting rule, which will now begin on April 13, 2026, and end on October 13, 2026. Small manufacturers who report solely as article importers will have until April 13,…

On May 14, 2025, Senator Scott Wiener issued a press release stating that, on that morning, “Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he supports the strongest ever reforms of [CEQA],” referring to Newsom’s proposal to include in the budget both Wiener’s SB 607 (which proposes several significant reforms to reduce CEQA abuse, and which I previously blogged on in this March 4, 2025 post) and Wicks’ AB 609 (which proposes a broad CEQA exemption for infill housing projects).  Senator Wiener’s release also mentions the California Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform Final Report, authored by Wicks, which I also blogged on in this March 17, 2025 post.  The full text of Senator Wiener’s press release, which contains both his and Wicks’ statements, along with summaries of their bills, is well worth a read by those interested in CEQA and permitting reform, and can be found here.

Air Quality: Pennsylvania Announces Study of Unconventional Gas Wells Led by PA Department of Environmental Protection
On May 1, 2025, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin a study, alongside CNX Resources Corporation (CNX), of “unconventional gas wells” by monitoring air emissions during development states of wells.…

 
CASL Attorneys to Lead National Webinars in Continued Collaboration with the National Agricultural Law Center
The Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law (CASL) is pleased to announce two upcoming national webinars presented by our attorneys as part of the National Agricultural Law Center’s (NALC) Webinar Series. These programs reflect our Center’s…