Many laws and regulations impact the energy industries. Fortunately this information is easy to find - and free! (Your tax dollars at work.)
A couple of definitions:
- LAWS originate from legislation in Congress or in the state legislature.
- REGULATIONS are developed by regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food & Drug Administration.
Westlaw is a well known legal research database and a good place to start your legal research. If you have a citation to a legal case just type the information in the search box. A legal case citation will look something like this: 163 U.S. 537 or Mapp v. Ohio.
The US government has several websites for access to federal laws and regulations. (Your tax dollars at work!)
Some key legal publications:
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) or eCFR
Regulations of all federal agencies. Title 40, Protection of the Environment, covers EPA. Title 29, Labor, covers OSHA. Title 46, Transportation. Also available on LexisNexis.
- Federal Register
Daily publication. Updates the CFR, announces proposed regulations.
- Congressional Record
Daily publication. Documents everything done in Congress, e.g., speeches, bills introduced.
- U.S. Code
Text of all U.S. laws. Also on Westlaw.
Many of the laws and regulations impacting the chemical industry are connected to the environment. For information on major environmental legislation:
- Laws & Regulations (EPA)
Links to full text and summaries of major environmental laws; includes guides for some.
- Environmental Law Handbook (2019edition)
A guide to major laws such as Clean Air Act and CERCLA; includes information about updates and amendments.
