May 5, 2025

Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of May 5, 2025

National Energy Policy: Bureau of Land Management and Office of Management and Budget Consider Rescinding Two Rules ⚡
On April 14, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it, along with the Bureau of Land Management, is reviewing two Rules for possible rescission. Announcement One and Announcement Two. Both the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Proposed Rule and the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule are being considered for rescission as a part of the Administration’s review of Executive Order 12866 for consistency with the Administration’s goals. The Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Proposed Rule would manage surface resources and designated special areas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The Conservation and Landscape Health Rule is a series of measures for public lands that requires increased conservation practices, including habitat restoration. More information on the status of the Rules will come in later announcements.

Oil and Gas Leasing: Department of the Interior Announces the Beginning of the Process for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Program
On April 18, 2025, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) would be taking the first steps for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act requires that the BOEM “solicit input from interested and affected parties during development of the National OCS Program.” The announcement further stated that the BOEM would be publishing a “Request for Information and Comments” in the Federal Register. The request for information and comments was published on April 25, 2025, (90 FR 17442) which is available for public comment until June 24, 2025 (BOEM-2025-0003).

 

___________________________________________________

CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

PA Laws For Agriculture: Your Municipality and ACRE 101

The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) will host its 2025 Annual Educational Conference and Exhibit Show in-person at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Impact of the Chevron Doctrine.

The Central Atlantic States Association of Food and Drug Officials (CASAFDO) will host its Annual Educational and Training Seminar in-person at the Crown Plaza Philadelphia in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Understanding the Basics of PA Ag Exemptions for Inheritance Tax and Other Real Estate Transfers

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:

Navigating ADA Compliance for Agritourism Guests, Jackie Schweichler presents with the National Agricultural Law Center

Center Staff Attorney Jackie Schweichler will present “Navigating ADA Compliance for Agritourism Guests” as part of the National Agricultural Law Center’s webinar series.

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:

2025 Agricultural Law Symposium—Save the Date! In-person at Penn State Dickinson Law, Lewis Katz Building, University Park, Pa. This day-long symposium will offer 6 CLE credits to Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys. More information & registration coming soon at link above!

  • September 18, 2025

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:

Verdonck, Oil Holds April’s Slump as Saudis Signal Increased OPEC+ Supply (May 1, 2025)

Guarna,  100 Days of Trump 2.0: A Campaign Against Environmental and Climate Justice (May 1, 2025)

Lua, Oil Set for Historic April Selloff as Trade War Darkens Outlook (April 30, 2025)

Roati, Murthy, Webb, 100 Days of Trump 2.0: Carbon Management and Negative Emissions (May 1, 2025)

Hanawalt, 100 Days of Trump 2.0: The US Weakens Regulations Addressing the Financial Cost of Climate Change (April 30, 2025)

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES

EPA Addresses E-10 Standards, Allows for Nationwide Year-Round E15 Sales (April 28, 2025)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register April 4 – 11, 2025)

Environmental Protection Agency

90 FR 17556 Rule: “Pennsylvania; Redesignation of the Allegheny County Nonattainment Area to Attainment and Approval of the Area’s Maintenance Plan for the 2010 1-Hour Primary Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard” (April 28, 2025)

90 FR 18658 Notice: “Request for Nominations to the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)” (May 1, 2025)

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

90 FR 18656 Notice: “Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order: Enbridge Offshore Facilities, LLC; Oceanus Pipeline Company, LLC” (May 1, 2025)

90 FR 17916 Notice: “Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC; Notice Of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline” (April 30, 2025)

Ocean Energy Management Bureau

90 FR 17832 Notice: “Notice on Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales” (April 29, 2025)

90 FR 17972 Notice: “Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program MAA104000” (April 30, 2025)

Other Agencies

90 FR 17568 Notice: “Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews” (April 28, 2025 – International Trade Administration)

U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE

H.R.3062 Bill: “To establish a more uniform, transparent, and modern process to authorize the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of international border-crossing facilities for the import and export of oil and natural gas and the transmission of electricity.” (April 29, 2025 – Referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce)

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE 

PENNSYLVANIA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASES

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 17 – April 26, 2025)

Department of Environmental Protection

55 Pa.B. 3072 PIOGA, et al. v. DEP, et al. (April 26, 2025 – Announcement of Settlement)

 

Written by:
Jasmine Gunning, Research Assistant
Dillon Lightfoot, Research Assistant
Riley Amdor, Research Assistant
Caden Dean-Sauter, Research Assistant
Victoria Dutterer, Research Assistant
Jose Rojas, Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney