July 29 2021
KIOGA EXPRESS
Your Source for Updated and Breaking Oil & Gas News For Members of the Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association
KIOGA Members:

           Greetings!   KIOGA continues to stay engaged providing updates and resources for the Kansas oil and gas industry.



KIOGA Files Comments on EPA Proposal to Increase Regulation of Oil & Gas Methane Emissions

In late June, the EPA formed a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel to review the proposed EPA changes to the oil and gas methane rules. The SBAR panel was formed specifically to hear about the impacts of the proposed new oil and gas methane rule on small businesses that make up the oil and gas industry. The EPA invited KIOGA President Edward Cross to participate as a “Small Entity Representative” (SER) on the SBAR panel. In addition to Kansas representation, other SERs included representatives from the oil and gas industry in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and two national groups (DEPA and IPAA). The SBAR met with the EPA in Zoom meetings on June 29th, July 6th, and July 29th. KIOGA’s discussions with the EPA focused on cost-of-compliance issues and the need for EPA to recognize the low production well emission profile. The official comment period for the EPA’s proposal to impose new methane regulations on the oil and gas industry ended on July 30th. KIOGA President Edward Cross prepared and submitted comprehensive comments on behalf of KIOGA to the docket. You can see those comments HERE.



    
KIOGA Files Comments on USFWS Proposal to List the Lesser Prairie Chicken as endangered/threatened

           The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has again proposed to list the lesser prairie chicken (LPC) as endangered in the southern population and threatened in the northern population segment. Kansas is in the northern population segment. We (KIOGA) have long advocated that the best scientific and commercial information available demonstrates that the LPC does not meet the Endangered Species Act definitions of either threatened or endangered species. The official comment period for the USFWS proposal to list the LPC as endangered/threatened ends on August 2nd. KIOGA President Edward Cross prepared and submitted comprehensive comments on behalf of KIOGA to the docket. You can see those comments HERE.



Kansas Governor to Require Masks for State Employees

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed course on July 27th on some masking guidelines.  Click here to read why the federal agency is recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on July 28th announced the state of Kansas will require state employees and those visiting state offices located in COVID-19 hot spots to wear face masks as recommended in new COVID-19 guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Click here to read more about the governor's decision.

Local Governments React To New Mask Guidelines

The new COVID-19 guidelines issued Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have set off a rush to reimpose mask mandates. Kansas City, MO mayor reinstated the city's indoor mask mandate to begin on Monday, August 2nd. Douglas and Shawnee counties are among those encouraging residents to follow the CDC guidelines. Johnson County issued a statement, saying it is monitoring the situation. 

Judge's Ruling Returns Power to Kansas Governor & Health Officials

On July 27th, a Kansas judge declined to pause his ruling that declared a new state law rewriting the state's emergency management act unconstitutional.  Click here to read how local and state officials, including Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, now have more flexibility to respond to COVID-19 — at least while the appeals process continues.