News
Michigan v. EPA: The EPA Must Consider Costs in Emission Limits
On June 29, in a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court held in Michigan v. EPA that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must consider the costs of industry when deciding to set limits under the Clean Air Act on the emissions of hazardous air pollutants...
Congratulations to Ken Barbe and Nora Pincus
Welborn Extends Congratulations to J. Kenneth Barbe selected as a 2015 Mountain States Super Lawyer®, as well as Nora Pincus selected as a 2015 Mountain States "Rising Star." To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or...
New 500 Foot Wyoming Drilling Setback and Notification Rules To Go into Effect on June 28, 2015
On April 14, 2015, the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission unanimously approved several changes to its drilling regulations, which will go into effect on June 28, 2015 (i.e. 75 days after approval). The Commission increased the minimum distance between...
The U.S. Supreme Court Disagreed with 10th Circuit’s Analysis in a Refusal-to-Hire Case Focused on the Wearing of a Religious Headscarf
On June 1, 2015, in an 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Abercrombie & Fitch and for a Muslim job applicant, Elauf, who had been rejected for employment because her headscarf would conflict with the store's "Look Policy" which prohibited the...
The 10th Circuit Rebuffs Environmental Groups’ Challenges to Keystone XL Pipeline Permit and Verification Letters
On May 29, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit upheld the entry of judgment for defendant and rejected National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) challenges to the validity of Army Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permit 12 (NWP...
Obama Administration Proposes Changes to ESA-listing Rule
In an apparent attempt to head-off legislative changes to the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) that have been threatened by Congressional Republicans, President Obama unveiled a suite of proposed changed to the ESA species listing process. These changes, contained in a...
Steve Bain elected to the CBA’s Environmental Law Section
Welborn Shareholder, Steve Bain, was elected to the Advisory Council of the Colorado Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section during their annual meeting held on May 25, 2015. The term runs for three years.
Western Energy Alliance and IPAA Move to Enjoin New BLM Fracking Rule
BLM’s new fracking rule is scheduled to take effect on June 24, 2015, but the Western Energy Alliance and Independent Petroleum Association of America moved for a preliminary injunction on May 15 to keep that from happening. They allege irreparable harm because the...
Utah Law Copied by More Western States Attempting to Take Control of Federal Land
Utah’s Transfer of Public Lands Act (“TPLA”) demands that the federal government “extinguish” its title to more than 30 million acres of federal public lands by December 31, 2014. Utah Code Ann. § 63L-6-101 et seq. (2012). When the law was enacted in 2012, former...
Welborn attorneys present about female talent at the GGI North American Conference
Welborn attorneys Amy Seneshen and Chelsey Russell presented "How to Attract and Retain Top Female Talent" at the GGI North American Conference held in Las Vegas on May 14-16, 2015.
Welborn Ranked by Chambers USA
Chambers USA ranks Welborn as one of eleven Colorado firms in their Natural Resources & Environment Practice Area. Our shareholder, J. Kenneth "Ken" Barbe, was also recognized as "Leaders in Their Field" in the Corporate/M&A and Real Estate Practice Areas in...
Wyoming State Geological Survey Developing Next Generation of Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming
Despite the fact that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management lease sale covering lands in Wyoming conducted on May 5, 2015, brought in a paltry $688,000, which is the lowest total since August 2009, the Wyoming State Geological Survey (“WSGS”) has begun the process of...