LOGA Industry Report - Winter 2009 - (Page 19) Neither party far excelled the other in environmental issues, therefore we can expect that the environment and environmental business in the future has become main stream and will continue USLL is dedicated that way. to taking care of our In the Democratic presidential terms beautiful world through environmental policy did not step up as one would have expected it to; however, professional manageone thing is evident: enforcement did. ment of E&P waste! (See chart on page 18.) Lawmakers are being swayed by NGOs to believe that many of the current regulatory policies need a facelift, and if this becomes a priority for the new Congress, the historical stepping up of enforcement added to new enforceable regulatory policies and mandates will no doubt overflow to the industries and create a maze of regulatory compliance. If taken to its extreme, new environmental policy could again dictate many unrealistic goals to be reached through much more regulation upon the working world – industry. Due to reduced manpower at regulatory agencies, for the most part compliance has been self-reporting and a matter of Please visit www.uslla.com for more integrity and prudence. But historically, information about our R3* treatment when “big government” is in town, there and programs designed to eliminate also is stepped up enforcement of reguoperator liability. latory compliance and more lawyers to interpret the new regulations. Local agencies such as the State Department of Natural Resources and Houston Jennings Corporate Office Administrative Office Department of Environmental Quality Two Memorial City Plaza 11079 Triangle Shell Road have begun to work with industries they 820 Gessner, Suite 1680 P.O. Box 1467 regulate to providing more services in Houston, Texas 77024 Jennings, Louisiana 70546 Phone 713.590.4620 Phone 337.824.3194 educating and permitting. When that Fax 713.590.4749 Fax 337.824.3147 fails, enforcement actions are implemented to ensure the playing field is *Mark of US Liquids of LA level for all, and because of the development of rapport between industries and the local regulators, these are sensible 404392_US.indd 1 10/20/08 7:59:13 PM and practical enforcement actions. It will be up to industry and its leaders to build some new bridges with the LAWYERS WHO KNOW THE OIL AND GAS BUSINESS EPA of the future in order to combat unrealistic policies that will easily pass Mayhall and Blaize, LLC from committee to the legislature if Kim G. Mayhall • Charles G. Blaize, Jr. • Jamie S. Manuel there is no balance of power among the 5800 One Perkins Place Dr., Suite 2-B lawmakers. We must take advantage of Baton Rouge, LA 70808 and realize that one united, strong voice Telephone: 225-810-4998 Facsimile: 225-810-4999 such as LOGA and other industry organiwww.laminerallaw.com zations can make a difference and bring realistic effective goals back to our poliOur focus on mineral law allows our clients to confidently and faithfully manage their Louisiana oil and gas legal needs. cymakers. ● Mayhall & Blaize, LLC 390096_Mayhall.indd 1 7/30/08 www.loga.la | 9:09:41 PM 19 http://www.uslla.com http://www.laminerallaw.com http://www.loga.la
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