by John W. Andrews Voters in several western states on November 6th defeated citizen-initiated ballot initiatives that would have heavily regulated mineral and energy development. The highest profile failed initiative was Colorado’s Proposition 112, which would have prohibited new oil and gas drilling within 2500 feet of any structure in the state, or within the […]
by Frances Folin On August 28, 2018, the Colorado Secretary of State certified the signatures collected for Initiative 108. The following day, the Colorado Secretary of State certified the signatures collected for Initiative 97. The certifications pave the way for what is sure to be an extra hot midterm election in Colorado, pitting oil and […]
by Frances Folin Earlier this month, proponents of competing ballot initiatives affecting oil and gas exploration and development made their way to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. Certification by the Secretary of State that proponents have obtained the required 98,492 valid signatures is the final step to getting the initiatives on this November’s ballot. […]
by Frances Folin As primary season for midterm elections gets underway, so too does canvasser season. In Colorado alone, canvassers are out in full force and looking to get enough voter signatures for a number of different initiative statutes and constitutional amendments concerning energy, property rights, and fracking. The Colorado initiatives and amendments are varied, […]
by Jason B. Brinkley For the second year in a row, New Mexico has surpassed its previous record for oil and gas production. The uptick in operations means increased jobs, a boost to the state’s economy and the availability of additional funds for the state’s budget. Growth in the oil and gas industry is expected to […]
By Frances Folin With the booming population in Colorado, more and more people have found themselves moving closer to oil and gas operations. This has had some grave consequences in recent times, but the industry has been quick to respond to local concerns. Following last year’s fatal home explosion in Firestone, Colorado, the Colorado Oil […]
by Adam A. Veltri The tax reform bills that passed the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives may provide a windfall of potential tax benefits and breaks for some oil and gas infrastructure developers and operators. In addition to lowering the overall tax rates for corporations, a last-minute provision attached to the Senate bill may […]
by Timothy J. Sabo The United States has one of the most extensive natural gas pipeline networks in the world. This vast network enables the ongoing switch away from coal-fired generation and toward a renewables and natural gas-based electric system. And it has allowed cheap natural gas produced by fracking to be used throughout the […]
by Rachel M. Lynn On January 6, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Denbury Green Pipeline-Texas LLC (“Denbury Green”) could take private property by eminent domain. In Denbury Green Pipeline-Texas LLC v. Texas Rice Land Partners Ltd., the decision turned on the question of whether or not Denbury Green qualified as a “common carrier” […]
by Cody Bourke On August 18, 2015, EPA proposed a new set of rules aimed to reduce emissions of methane and Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOCs”) in the oil and gas industry. EPA’s goal is to curb methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45 percent by 2025. This initiative is part […]