Geobulletin alpha

U.S. House Hearing Supports Legislation for Development of Domestic Minerals (H.R. 761) 

On Wednesday, July 23, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing, titled "American Metals and Mineral Security: An examination of the domestic critical minerals supply and demand chain."  During the hearing, a panel of witnesses spoke on the benefits of securing a supply of minerals through domestic mining.  This panel included representatives from GE Global Research and the National Defense Industrial Association, [...]

USDOT Proposes New Rules for Rail Transport of Fossil Fuels 

On Wednesday, July 23, 2014 the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“Administration”), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (“USDOT”), issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NOPR”) for rail transport of crude oil and ethanol.  The NOPR, titled “Enhanced Tank Car and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains,” is available online, but has not yet been published in the Federal Register.  [...]

EPA Delays Potential Fracking Chemical Disclosure Mandates 

On Friday, July 11, 2014 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) extended the public comment period for its advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (“ANPR”) for hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rules.  The USEPA initially requested public comment on May 9, 2014 by issuing the ANPR.  This set a 90-day public comment period, slated to end on August 18, 2014.  The July 11 announcement extends the public comment period for 30 days, setting [...]

Water Board Announces Meeting to Develop SB 4 Groundwater Monitoring Criteria 

On Wednesday, July 9, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board (“Water Board”) announced that it will be holding a “Stakeholder Meeting to Develop Groundwater Monitoring Model Criteria for Oil & Gas Areas.”  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2014 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Kern County Supervisors Chambers in Bakersfield.  The Water Board is required to develop model groundwater monitoring criteria by July 1, 2015 pursuant to Senate [...]