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🔎 Phase II ESA: Turning Questions Into Data
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) can tell a story — but a Phase II ESA uncovers the facts. Rule Engineering provides support for due diligence and compliance projects through targeted subsurface investigations, including: Soil borings and lithologic logging Groundwater sampling Field screening and laboratory analysis Regulatory guidance and reporting Whether you’re purchasing property, redeveloping a site, or
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EPA Approves Wyoming’s Updated Water Quality Rules
What This Means for Permittees:Dischargers should take this opportunity to review and align with the updated regulatory framework. Key considerations include:✅Confirming designated uses and applicable effluent limits✅Evaluating impacts to permit renewals and monitoring programs✅Assessing potential implications for use-attainability analyses✅Reviewing WYPDES permit language and compliance schedules Wyoming’s updated tools, including its interactive recreation-use map and criteria
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🌬️ Air Permitting & Compliance — Keeping Your Operations on Track
From complex air permits to day-to-day compliance, Rule Engineering helps facilities stay ahead of regulatory requirements and operational risks. Our air services include:• Permit compliance management — building practical tools and tracking systems to ensure every requirement is met on time.• Air permit development & renewals — including construction permits, operating permits, and Title V
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🔎 EPA Region 8 Signals Focus on Reducing Permit & Enforcement Backlogs
We attended the Rocky Mountain EHS Peer Group meeting in February, where EPA Region 8 shared current priorities for the region (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming). They highlighted an effort to clear backlogs in permits, SIP approvals, and enforcement matters (including Superfund projects). While not a new rulemaking, this represents an
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⚠️ EPA Repeals Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding — What Now?
Last month, the U.S. EPA repealed the 2009 greenhouse gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding, the legal basis for many federal climate regulations. What this means in practice is still evolving:• Federal GHG standards could change — depending on litigation outcomes• States may step in with their own requirements• Long-term planning for regulated facilities is now more
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📢 Colorado Fills the WOTUS Gap: What to Know About Regulation 87
As the federal definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) narrows, Colorado has stepped in. Regulation 87 establishes a state dredge-and-fill authorization program for impacts to wetlands and streams that may no longer be federally protected — especially seasonal and temporary-flow waters common across the Mountain West. ✔️ What Regulation 87 Does:• Covers non-WOTUS
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🚨 EPA Extends GHGRP 2025 Reporting Deadline
📊 The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires facilities emitting 25,000 metric tons or more of CO₂-equivalent annually to report their greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA has extended the GHGRP reporting deadline for 2025 data from March 31, 2026 to October 30, 2026 while the agency continues rulemaking on proposed revisions to the Greenhouse Gas
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💦 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards Update
Last December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a limited set of site-specific criteria and Water-Effects Ratios (WERs) under the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS). The updates, issued in March and September 2025, are targeted and apply only in specific circumstances:Applies only to copperApplies only to certain designated segments This means facilities will
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🚧 Delineating a Fuel Release in the Field 🚧
This site tells the story of a subsurface release — and our job is to make it visible. Earlier this year, our team was out in the field delineating a hydrocarbon plume by advancing boreholes, collecting soil samples, installing monitoring wells, and collecting groundwater samples to define the extent of impact and guide cleanup. Every
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📜 Texas — 6th State to Secure Class VI Wells
In recent news, the EPA has granted the Texas Railroad Commission primacy over Class VI underground injection wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Effective December 15, 2025, Texas now has primary authority to issue and enforce permits for wells used to sequester CO₂ underground — a key part of carbon capture and storage (CCS)
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📢 Federal Wetlands Protections in Flux — State Action on the Rise
In November 2025, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps proposed a revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that would narrow which wetlands and streams are federally protected under the Clean Water Act, largely excluding waters without a continuous surface connection to larger water bodies. This change follows the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA
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A New Perspective: Drone Surveying 𖥂
Rule Engineering offers drone surveying services to support grading, drainage, SPCC, wetlands, and other environmental projects. Our in-house FAA Part 107–licensed pilot captures high-resolution aerial data to help you visualize and document site conditions, calculate cut-fill elevations, and make smarter decisions—safely and efficiently. Need LiDAR? We can also rent and operate larger drones equipped with
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💨 New Mexico’s Part 50 Ozone Precursor Rule — Are you in Compliance?
If you operate oil & gas or industrial sites in Eddy, Lea, San Juan, Sandoval, Rio Arriba, Chaves, Doña Ana, or Valencia counties, you’re under New Mexico’s Part 50 Ozone Precursor Rule (20.2.50 NMAC). The rule targets VOC and NOₓ emissions. Key requirements include:✅ Calculate and certify their Potential to Emit (PTE)✅Control or capture emissions
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🚧 Another Day in the Field 🚧
Our team oversaw the removal of an underground storage tank (UST) at a former gas station site in Colorado. Careful oversight and soil sampling are critical during these projects to ensure safe and proper handling of potential petroleum impacts and compliance with environmental regulations. At Rule Engineering, we bring decades of experience in UST closures,
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🏞️ Montana’s Repeal of Numeric Nutrient Limits 🏞️
In October 2025, EPA approved MDEQ’s revisions under HB 664; formally repealing numeric nutrient criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus and affirming narrative nutrient standards while maintaining Clean Water Act goals. Instead of fixed numeric limits, narrative standards describe desired conditions — for example, no excessive algae growth, no oxygen depletion, and protection of aquatic life.
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🚨 New from ITRC: Guidance on Biological Contaminants of Emerging Concern (BioCEC) 🚨
The ITRC published its Biological CEC Guidance (Nov 2025), building on the broader CEC Framework (Dec 2023) to formally include microbial pathogens. Why it matters What the guidance offers 💡 What this means Source:https://cec-bio.itrcweb.org/
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🚧 Fieldwork in Action 🚧
Last fall, Rule Engineering was on-site in Colorado overseeing excavation for a gas station demolition and rebuild. Our team has been supervising ongoing excavations and trenching, and screening and collecting soil samples to assess petroleum impacts from known releases. Environmental due diligence and compliance are at the core of what we do. By carefully sampling
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💨 Big News for Colorado’s Air Quality! 💨
The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted health-based benchmarks for five priority air toxics in late 2025 — Benzene, Formaldehyde, Hexavalent Chromium, Ethylene Oxide, and Hydrogen Sulfide. The changes fulfill a requirement from Colorado’s Public Protections from Toxic Air Contaminants Act (HB 22-1244) to establish science-based health standards. These new benchmarks set clear thresholds meant
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🚨 Colorado Update: New Methane Rules for Landfills 🚨
In December, CDPHE adopted Regulation 31, a new air quality rule targeting methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills. What’s changing?✅ Applies to up to 32 of Colorado’s 82 municipal solid waste landfills by targeting facilities based on waste-in-place and methane emissions — expanding regulatory reach beyond federal minimums.✅ Establishes stricter gas collection and control
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🌿📐 Out in the Field, Precision Matters
Measuring more than just slopes — we measure peace of mind. Here’s one of our team members surveying an earthen embankment with a Trimble device as part of our regular inspection program. These efforts keep critical infrastructure safe, stable, and in compliance — all while giving us some great views! From site assessments and remediation
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❄️ Happy Holidays from Rule Engineering!
We’re wrapping up the year with thoughtful solutions. Thank you to our clients, partners, and colleagues for another great year. We’re looking forward to continuing to support your environmental and compliance needs in the year ahead. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hannukah. Cheers and Happy New Year from the Rule Engineering
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Colorado Water Well Permitting & Construction Rules Changed
As the year comes to a close, please remember this update for new wells in the new year: The Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) updated rules affecting how wells are permitted and constructed statewide. These updates raise the bar for protecting public health and groundwater quality across Colorado. Permitting Changes (HB25-1014, effective Aug. 2025)
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🚨Reminder: EPA Update for Oil & Gas Operators
During Summer of 2025, the EPA extended major compliance deadlines for air regulations (NSPS, OOOOb/c), these have been finalized effective Dec 3, 2025: ⏳ Finalized deadlines: These extensions = more breathing room for planning, but compliance isn’t optional.👉 Need help updating your air compliance strategy? Reach out to us for a gap-check, next steps, or
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Introducing Ourselves
For over 25 years, Rule Engineering has supported industrial clients across the Mountain States plus Texas with: Our team is small but nimble 💪 — which means our clients get hands-on, field-savvy expertise and fast response times.
