May 19, 2025
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of May 19, 2025
Air Quality: Pennsylvania Announces Study of Unconventional Gas Wells Led by PA Department of Environmental Protection ⚡
On May 1, 2025, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin a study, alongside CNX Resources Corporation (CNX), of “unconventional gas wells” by monitoring air emissions during development states of wells. CNX will be providing DEP access to a well site to study the air emissions, which is aimed to “provide the most in-depth view of the full spectrum of natural gas development in the nation and serve as a model for future public-private collaboration.”
Infrastructure: Department of Energy Pauses Fossil-Fuel Reduction for New Federal Building Construction
On May 5, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) began a review of a 2024 regulation requiring newly constructed federal buildings to reduce their fossil-fuel generated energy consumption. The 2024 regulation became effective on July 15, and established energy performance standards for newly constructed and majorly renovated federal buildings. The 2025 review is being conducted to ensure that the previous policy adheres to the new administration’s energy goals. Until the review is completed, new construction does not have to comply with the 2024 energy standards.
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CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
Center Staff Attorney Jackie Schweichler will present “Navigating ADA Compliance for Agritourism Guests” as part of the National Agricultural Law Center’s webinar series.
- May 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. More Information and Register Here
“Ag Law Update,” Audry Thompson Presents at the PASBDC 2025 Growth Conference
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center (PASBDC) will host its 2025 Growth Conference: Driving Growth Together in-person at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, Pennsylvania. As part of the conference, Center Staff Attorney Audry Thompson will present “Ag Law Updates” from 9:30–10:30am.
- May 28 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am. More Information Here
Understanding the Basics of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
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:
- May 30 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. More Information and Register Here
Follow us on Twitter @AgShaleLaw to see the latest with our #ShaleLaw HotLinks
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Penn State Farmland Energy Legal Podcast: Listen to the latest episode here.
Oil & Gas Law & Policy Resources:
Bloomberg, Oil Falls a Second Day as Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Deal (May 15, 2025)
Sartain, Uri Force Majeure Cases Still Percolating (May 12, 2025)
Bibikos, At the Well Weekly (May 15, 2025)
Lloyd-Smith, Trump Favors $40-$50 Oil, Goldman Says After Scrutinizing Posts (May 14, 2025)
Sartain, Bad Guys in Energy Paid the Piper in 2024 (May 14, 2025)
FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PRESS RELEASES
DOE Halts Fossil Fuel Ban for Federal Buildings (May 2, 2025)
DOE Announces New Leadership to Tackle Challenges of Growing Energy Demand (May 2, 2025)
Energy Department Lifts Regulations on Miscellaneous Gas Products (May 2, 2025)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register May 9 – 16, 2025)
Environmental Protection Agency
90 FR 20575 Proposed Rule: “Hydrogen Fluoride; TSCA Section 21 Petition for Rulemaking Under TSCA Section 6; Reasons for Agency Response; Denial of Requested Rulemaking” (May 15, 2025)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
90 FR 20301 Notice: “Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions” (May 13, 2025)
90 FR 20467 Notice: “Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Amendment to the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Supply Lateral Project” (May 14, 2025)
90 FR 20667 Notice: “Increasing Market and Planning Efficiency Through Improved Software; Supplemental Notice of Technical Conference on Increasing Real-Time and Day-Ahead Market and Planning Efficiency through Improved Software” (May 15, 2025)
Energy Department
90 FR 20647 Notice: “Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee” (May 15, 2025)
90 FR 20648 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Extension” (May 15, 2025)
Natural Resources Revenue Office
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
90 FR 20210 Notice: “Hazardous Materials: Notice of Actions on Special Permits” (May 12, 2025)
90 FR 20209 Notice: “Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for Modification to Special Permits” (May 12, 2025)
90 FR 20208 Notice: “Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits” (May 12, 2025)
Forest Service
Department of Justice
90 FR 20190 Notice: “United States of America v. XCL Resources Holdings, LLC, Verdun Oil Company II, LLC, and EP Energy LLC” (May 12, 2025)
Other Agencies
90 FR 20446 Notice: International Trade Administration “Large Diameter Welded Pipe From Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Greece, India, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Türkiye: Continuation of Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders” (May 14, 2025)
U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
H.R.3338 Bill: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate certain fuel excise taxes and impose a tax on greenhouse gas emissions to provide revenue for maintaining and building American infrastructure, and for other purposes.” (May 13, 2025 – Referred to House Committee Energy and Commerce)
STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 19 – May 10, 2025)
Written by:
Riley Amdor, Research Assistant
Caden Dean-Sauter, Research Assistant
Jose Rojas, Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney
