This week the COGCC’s new e-Filing system went live and is now the platform for all new Hearing Applications and associated filings with the Commission.

The Bureau of Land Management’s 2016 Waste Prevention Rule, created under the Obama administration, was to become effective in Wyoming on October 13, 2020, but on October 8, 2020 Wyoming U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl vacated the Rule by Order in Wyoming v. U.S. Dept of Interior, No. 2:16-CV-0285-SWS (D. Wyo. Oct. 8, 2020).

On November 4, 2020, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a Recommended Decision to adopt new Pipeline Safety Rules which incorporate significant changes and move the Rules from the Gas Utilities and Pipeline Operator Rules at 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 723-4, to a new, standalone Part 11, 4 CCR, 723-11.

On November 3, 2020, the COGCC issued a Notice to all Colorado Oil and Gas Operators regarding the upcoming December 1, 2020 deadline to submit off-location flowline Geographic Information System (GIS) data for facilities in existence prior to May 1, 2018 pursuant to the COGCC Flowline regulations adopted in November 2019.

The COGCC Wellbore Integrity rule requirements are now effective for all Operators in Colorado.

On November 1, 2020, Judge Judith L. LaBuda of the Boulder County, Colorado District Court agreed with the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), granting their motion for summary judgment in Our Health Our Future Our Longmont et al v. State Of Colorado et al., Case No. 2020CV3033 (Order).

The BLM 2016 Waste Prevention Rule (Rule) will become effective on October 13, 2020 unless it is stayed or vacated by another court before that date.

Jamie Jost, the Founder and Managing Shareholder of Jost Energy Law, was recently appointed to the Jefferson County Planning Commission.

On September 30, 2020, Governor Polis released the draft State of Colorado Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Pollution Reduction Roadmap for public comment.

On September 28, 2020, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission completed its deliberations on the 200 through 600 Series Mission Change Rules and unanimously voted to preliminarily approve the Rules subject to conforming changes in the upcoming 800, 900 and 1200-Series Rulemaking Hearings and approval of a finalized Statement of Basis and Purpose.