California Floats Permanent Rules For Landmark Oil & Gas Well Setbacks

The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) is proposing permanent regulations to implement the state’s sweeping 2022 law that requires 3,200-foot setbacks between new or reworked oil and gas production operations and “sensitive receptors,” which would replace temporary rules issued last year. Changes between the temporary rules and proposed permanent regulations include clarifying “some requirements on water sampling, treating parks as sensitive receptors, and [addressing] temporary production facilities,” according to a CalGEM spokesman. Environmentalists, equity advocates and industry representatives are...