TITLE 30

MINERALS, OIL, AND GAS AND

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

SUBTITLE I. MINERALS, OIL, AND GAS

CHAPTER 1. CONSERVATION AND ENERGY

PART I. DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY

§1. Department established; appointment of secretary; jurisdiction

            A. There is established the state Department of Conservation and Energy, hereinafter referred to in this Subtitle as the department. The department shall be directed and controlled by a secretary, who shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the Senate.

            B. All natural resources of the state not within the jurisdiction of other state departments or agencies are within the jurisdiction of the department.

            C. The department shall manage all natural resources within its jurisdiction through the following offices:

            (1) The office of permitting and compliance shall oversee all portions of state law within the jurisdiction of the department which relate to the issuance of permits and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as further detailed by order of the secretary in accordance with R.S. 36:354.1.

            (2) The office of enforcement shall oversee all portions of state law within the jurisdiction of the department which relate to penalties and enforcement of violations as further detailed by order of the secretary in accordance with R.S. 36:354.1.

            (3) The office of state resources shall oversee all portions of state law within the jurisdiction of the department which relate to management of the state's natural resources, including but not limited to mineral and energy leasing, management of groundwater resources, and energy-related management of state lands and water bottoms as further detailed by order of the secretary in accordance with R.S. 36:354.1.

            D. The disposal of any waste product into the subsurface by means of a disposal well and the regulation of all surface and storage waste facilities incidental to oil and gas exploration and production, shall be within the jurisdiction of the department.

            Amended by Acts 1959, No. 100, §1; Acts 1965, No. 53, §3; Acts 1970, No. 20, §1; Acts 1975, No. 388, §1; Acts 1976, No. 116, §1; Acts 1976, No. 122, §1; Acts 1978, No. 681, §1, eff. July 12, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 379, §1; Acts 2025, No. 458, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.