2023 Quarter 4 Regulatory Update
During the fourth quarter of 2023, there were several regulatory developments involving federal and state agencies.
2023 Quarter 3 Regulatory Update
During the third quarter of 2023, there were several regulatory developments involving federal agencies. These updates are summarized in the following subsections. UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Waters of the United States Definition On August 29, 2023, the United States (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency …
2023 Quarters 1 and 2 Regulatory Update
During the first and second quarters of 2023, there were several regulatory developments involving federal agencies. These updates are summarized in the following subsections. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT REGULATION REVISIONS On June 4, 2021, the United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, together the …
2022 Quarters 3 and 4 Regulatory Update
During the third and fourth quarter of 2022, there were several regulatory developments involving the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These updates are summarized in the following subsections. FINAL RULES Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat As discussed previously in our Q4 …
2022 Quarter 2 Regulatory Update
During the second quarter of 2022, there were several regulatory developments involving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the United States (U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12, and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). These updates are summarized in the following subsections. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT On April 20, …
2022 Quarter 1 Regulatory Update
During the first quarter of 2022, there were several legal and regulatory developments involving the waters of the United States (U.S.) definition and implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA). In addition, two final directives were issued by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and two notices were issued by the State Water Resources Control Board …
2021 Quarter 4 Regulatory Update
During the last quarter of 2021, there were several federal regulatory developments involving the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the definition of waters of the United States (U.S.). Summaries of each of these developments are provided in the following sections. …
Insignia Seeking SOC 2 Compliance
For 18 years, Insignia Environmental has built its brand on trust. We believe customers should be able to trust us with their data. In consultation with our clients and in order to provide an extra level of security, Insignia is excited to announce that we have initiated the System and Organization Controls (SOC) compliance process. …
Updates on The Proposed Rule for The Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States”
On November 18, 2021, the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced the issuance of a proposed rule to revise the definition of “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act to the pre-2015 definition (also referred to as the 1986 Regulations) with amendments informed …
Updates on The Proposed Rule for The Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States” Read More »
Controlled Unclassified Information and Critical Energy Infrastructure Information – Federal and State Safeguards
The Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) Program was created under the Critical Infrastructure Information (CII) Act of 2002 to protect private-sector infrastructure information voluntarily shared with the government for the purposes of homeland security. The final rule: 6 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 29, Procedures for Handling Critical Infrastructure Information; Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on September …
INGAA Issues Inaugural Climate Report
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) issued its inaugural Climate Report on November 2, 2021. The report demonstrates INGAA member company commitments toward addressing climate change and builds on INGAA’s 2021 Climate Statement issued earlier this year, which includes a set of commitments towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from natural gas transmission …
Insignia Welcomes Lauri Branch to the Team
INTRODUCING LAURI BRANCH, OUR NEW SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY SPECIALIST Insignia Environmental is thrilled to announce that Lauri Branch has joined our team as a Senior Environmental Regulatory Specialist, based in Houston, Texas. Lauri has 30 years of experience in global environmental policy advisement, strategic program management, public policy and outreach, sustainability, and environmental permitting. During …
2021 Quarter 3 Regulatory Update
During the third quarter of 2021, there were several federal regulatory developments from the United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). A court order resulted in changes to the definition of “waters of the U.S.,” findings were …
2021 Quarter 2 Regulatory Update
Several federal regulatory developments from the United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Army, and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) occurred during the second quarter of 2021, including one proposed rule and two announcements regarding revising, rescinding, or reinstating regulations. In addition, the California State Water …
What’s Happening at FERC? Second Edition
SPRING 2021, PART II As anticipated, policy changes and decisions are coming quickly at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) that may potentially affect the FERC’s environmental review process for construction of new and expansion projects. These changes may affect targeted in-service dates and permitting schedules. Insignia Environmental has been closely following developments …
Clarification on California “Waters of the State” Regulations
On June 22, 2020, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule went into effect, finalizing a revised definition of “waters of the United States (U.S.)” under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and significantly decreasing the number of waters that fall under federal jurisdiction. In general, a water must now be perennial or intermittent and have a direct …
Clarification on California “Waters of the State” Regulations Read More »
2021 Quarter 1 Regulatory Update
Several federal regulatory developments from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and United States Forest Service (USFS) occurred during the first quarter of 2021, including final rules, proposed rules/directives, and a finding on a petition to list a species. Below is a summary of each of these developments …
What’s Happening at FERC?
SPRING 2021: POTENTIAL POLICY CHANGES DIRECTED BY CONGRESS In December 2020, Congress passed the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), which was part of the COVID-19 relief bill. Passed under bipartisan leadership, the AEIA included more than 50 new energy-focused measures that aim to modernize energy laws, invest in clean energy technology, and strengthen national security. …
Insignia President co-authors book
Insignia is proud to announce that its founder and president has co-authored a book dedicated to the advancement of women business owners.
Introducing Insignia’s New Branding and Website
Insignia is pleased to unveil our new logo, along with our brand refresh and new website! While our previous logo served us well for 12 years, we felt it was past time for an updated look that better represents who we are in the industry—professional, established experts in environment compliance for energy and utilities. We …
The Final Rule for Regulations for Interagency Cooperation
During the fall of 2019, several important rules were finalized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (the Services) that sought to revise how long-standing aspects of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, have been implemented for decades. The three rules listed below are now effective: …
The Final Rule for Regulations for Interagency Cooperation Read More »
The Navigable Waters Protection Rule and State Wetland Definition and Procedures for Discharges of Dredged or Fill Material to Waters of the State in California: New changes in waters and wetlands permitting
On June 22, 2020, the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) in the Federal Register to finalize a revised definition of “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The NWPR is the second step in a two-step …