June 30, 2025
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of June 30, 2025
National Energy Policy: Department of Interior Proposes Rescission of 2024 Alaska Petroleum Reserve Regulations ⚡
On June 2, 2025, the Department of the Interior (DOI) proposed rescinding a May 2024 Biden-era rule restricting development of oil and gas resources in the Alaska Petroleum Reserve. The DOI conducted a review and concluded that the rule titled “Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska” violated the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, and imposes barriers to development. This is another step in carrying out an earlier Executive Order issued by the White House, aimed at accessing and developing Alaska’s energy resources. If adopted, the new rule would revert back to the pre-May 2024 regulations, which feature fewer procedural requirements. For more information on the Alaskan Resources Executive Order, see SLWR – Feb. 3, 2025, “National Energy Policy: Executive Order Encourages Development of Energy Resources in Alaska.”
GHG Emissions: Signed Congressional Resolutions Revoke California’s Strict Vehicle Emissions Standards
On June 12, 2025, the U.S. President signed three congressional resolutions into law that revoked Environmental Protection Agency rules approving California’s authority to enforce stricter vehicle emission standards. The first resolution, H.J. Res. 87, disapproved a number of California laws involving zero-emission trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, powertrain certification, and extended emissions warranties for heavy-duty vehicles. The second, H.J. Res. 88, rejected the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which sought to increase the number of zero-emission passenger vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The third, H.J. Res. 89, nullified California’s Omnibus Low NOx Regulation, which aimed to lower nitrogen oxide emissions from both highway and nonroad engines.
National Energy Policy: Department of Energy Cuts Grants to 24 Energy Development Projects
On May 30, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced it would cut 3.6 billion from grants issued to 24 energy projects. According to the DOE, the “projects primarily include funding for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and decarbonization initiatives.” The projects were initially awarded by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
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CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
July 2025 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar
The Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will conduct the latest installment in its Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar Series. Each quarter’s free one-hour webinar covers the legal and regulatory developments in the U.S. dairy industry from the preceding quarter and includes an in-depth look at a single focus topic of law, regulation, or government policy of interest to dairy professionals of all kinds.
- July 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. More Information and Registration Here
Understanding the Basics of ADA Compliance for Agritourism Operations
The Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), will present the next webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series:
“Understanding the Basics of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance for Agritourism Operations”
- July 25 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. More Information and Registration Here
Solar Law Symposium Virtual Live Webinar
Penn State Extension and the Penn State Center for Energy Law and Policy will host their fifth annual Penn State Solar Law Symposium, co-sponsored by Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law. Staff Attorney Brook Duer will co-present a session on the ethics of solar leasing as part of the program.
- August 21 @ 10:00 am – 4:45 pm. More Information and Registration Here
Understanding the Basics of Foreign Agricultural Land Ownership Laws
On Friday, August 22, 2025, from 12 noon–1:00 ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), will present the next webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series:
“Understanding the Basics of Foreign Agricultural Land Ownership Laws”
- August 22 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. More Information and Registration Here
Follow us on Twitter @AgShaleLaw to see the latest with our #ShaleLaw HotLinks
Connect with us on Facebook.
Penn State Farmland Energy Legal Podcast: Listen to the latest episode here.
Oil & Gas Law & Policy Resources:
McFarland, Texas Primacy for Issuance of Class VI Injection Wells (June 23, 2025)
McFarland, Texas Legislature Addresses Unplugged Wells (June 23, 2025)
Sartain, How Did the 2025 Texas Legislature Address Energy? (June 24, 2025)
Mallen, Das, Hug and Reiter, FERC Acts Under Its Emergency Waiver Authorities to Ease Regulatory Burdens on Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects While Initiating Rulemakings to Enact Permanent Changes (June 24, 2025)
Lockman, Webb, and Murthy Decommissioning Offshore Oil & Gas Infrastructure: May 2 Workshop (June 27, 2025)
FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PRESS RELEASES
Secretary Wright Issues Emergency Order to Secure Southeast Power Grid Amid Heat Wave (June 24, 2025)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
EPA Reaches Settlement with Ecolab Inc. for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations in Joliet, Illinois (June 24, 2025)
EPA establishes a temperature restoration plan for the Umpqua River Basin (June 27, 2025)
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register June 16 – 23, 2025)
Environmental Protection Agency
90 FR 27301 Notice: “Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for New York; Notice of Approval and Opportunity for Public Comment and Public Hearing” (June 26, 2025)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
90 FR 26776 Proposed Rule: “Blanket Certificate Cost Limitations” (June 24, 2025)
90 FR 26771 Proposed Rule: “Removal of Regulations Limiting Authorizations To Proceed With Construction Activities Pending Rehearing” (June 24, 2025)
Energy Department
90 FR 26802 Notice: “Department of Energy Regulations Guidance” (June 24, 2025)
90 FR 27532 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Extension” (June 27, 2025)
90 FR 27459 Rule: “Pennsylvania Regulatory Program” (June 27, 2025)
Treasury Department
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Ocean Energy Management Bureau
90 FR 27675 Notice: “Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Gulf of America Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 262” (June 27, 2025)
Other Agencies
U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
H.R. 4117 “To amend the Clean Air Act to repeal the establishment of motor vehicle emission and fuel standards, and for other purposes”. (June 24, 2025).
H.R. 2556 “CORE Act of 2025”. (Ordered to be Reported, June 25, 2025).
H.R. 4162 “To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to increase participation in community solar programs and the receipt of associated benefits, and for other purposes”. (June 26, 2025).
H.R. 4221 “To provide that a project for the deployment or modification of a communications facility entirely within a brownfield site is not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews”. (June 26, 2025).
U.S. SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
S.2181 “A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing a national strategic propane reserve”. Introduced (June 26, 2025).
S.2182 “A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to increase participation in community solar programs and the receipt of associated benefits, and for other purposes”. Introduced (June 26, 2025).
STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
PENNSYLVANIA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASES
PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 26 – June 28, 2025)
Department of Environmental Protection
55 Pa.B. 4459 Notice: “Proposed State Plan for 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart OOOOc Emissions Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities; Additional Public Hearing”
Written by:
Benjamin Aronovitch, Research Assistant
Caden Dean-Sauter, Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney
