November 3, 2025
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of November 3, 2025
Pipelines: PA DEP Approves Permits for Pennsylvania Sections of Northeast Supply Enhancement Project ⚡
On November 1, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published notice in Pennsylvania Bulletin, approving parts of the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. The DEP approved compressor stations in Lancaster and Chester counties, and the Quarryville Pipeline loop. Once completed, the loop will be roughly ten miles long, and travel through four townships in two counties. The entire Northeast Supply Enhancement Project will total 37 miles across three states and is estimated to increase firm gas supply by 13%.
LNG Exports: Regulatory Dispute Over Second Permit Extension for Gibbstown Dock 2 Project
On October 10, 2025, the Delaware River Keeper Network filed a complaint against The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) for approving a second extension of a permit for the Dock 2 Project at the Gibbstown Logistics Center under section 3.8 of the DRBC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Delaware Riverkeeper Network v. Delaware River Basin Commission, No. 25-cv-16551 (D.N.J. filed Oct. 10, 2025) Under these rules, only one extension of up to five years is allowed, subject to conditions that there are no material changes to the project or site, the “Comprehensive Plan” is unchanged, and the project sponsor is diligently pursuing the project. Here plaintiffs argue that the second extension violates the plain language of the rule, which limits approvals to a single extension. They also claim material changes, like shifting LNG transloading exclusively to trucks and new underground storage caverns should disqualify the extension. Additionally, the project sponsor admitted delays in construction due to market conditions, which the plaintiff claims casts doubt on diligent pursuit.
Water Use: Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approves 21 Water Projects
On September 24, 2025, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission approved 21 applications for certain water projects. These projects include groundwater withdrawals for various oil and gas wells across the state. This includes projects in Bradford, Centre, York, and Dauphine counties. A separate proposed withdrawal in York County was tabled.
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CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
On November 20th at 12pm noon, Center Staff Attorney Jackie Schweichler will present a session on legal considerations for agritourism businesses. This presentation will be part of the session, “Cultivating Opportunity: A Practical Guide to Starting and Managing Agritourism Operations.”
- November 20th from 12 noon-1:00 PM. More Information and Registration Here
Understanding the Basics of Cell Cultured Foods & Labeling Laws
On Friday, November 21, 2025, from 12 noon–1:00 pm 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, a course designed to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural law for attorneys and business advisors who work with or represent agricultural or rural clients but may not necessarily specialize in agricultural law:
“Understanding the Basics of Cell Cultured Foods & Labeling Laws”
- November 21st from 12 noon-1:00 PM. More Information and Registration 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:
Sartain, Not the Same Property Means Not the Same Subject Matter – Res Judicata Defense Denied (October 29, 2025)
Mallen, Hug, Reiter, Coffman, and Das, DOE Directs FERC To Initiate Large Load Interconnection Rulemaking (October 27, 2025)
Hanawalt and Finch, The FTC Asserts (and Oversteps) its Antitrust Authority Against a Key Climate Alliance (October 27, 2025)
Guarna, Court of Federal Claims: Jurisdiction, Remedies, and Unsuitability to Adjudicate the GGRF Lawsuit (October 30, 2025)
Mitchell, Markowitz, Oelz, Petty, and Smith, The Latest on California’s Climate Disclosure Laws (SB 253 & SB 261) (October 31, 2025)
Sartain, Texas Court Denies Surface Owner’s Self-Help Burial of Pipeline (November 1, 2025)
FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PRESS RELEASES
Energy Department Announces New Partnership with NVIDIA and Oracle to Build Largest DOE AI Supercomputer (October 28, 2025)
Energy Department Announces Loan for Indiana Coal-Powered Fertilizer Facility (October 29, 2025)
Energy Department Announces $100 Million to Restore America’s Coal Plants (October 31, 2025)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
EPA issues final approval for copper mining project in Utah (October 27, 2025)
Trump EPA Announces Additional Construction Timeline Reductions for Infrastructure Projects Aimed at Cleaning Up the Tijuana River Valley (October 30, 2025)
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register October 27–November 3, 2025)
Environmental Protection Agency
90 FR 48731 Notice: “Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS for Stationary Combustion Turbines (Renewal)” (October 28, 2025)
Energy Department
90 FR 48705 Rule: “Energy Dominance Financing Amendments” (October 28, 2025)
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
90 FR 48957 Notice: “Commission Meeting” (October 31, 2025)
U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
H.R.5896 – To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to repeal the standard relating to electric vehicle charging programs, and for other purposes. (Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce October 31, 2025)
U.S. SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
S.J.Res.91 – A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision”. (Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources October 28, 2025)
S.3082 – A bill to prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in certain areas of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. (Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, October 30, 2025)
S.J.Res.80 – A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision”. (Held at the Desk, October 31, 2025)
STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
PENNSYLVANIA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASES
ICYMI: DEP Eliminates Historic Permit Backlog for the First Time in 15 Years Under Shapiro Administration (October 28, 2025)
DEP to Host Public Hearing for East Stroudsburg Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit Application (October 30, 2025)
Shapiro Administration Invites Applicants for the 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence (October 30, 2025)
PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 44 – November 1, 2025)
Department of Environmental Protection
55 Pa.B. 7688: Planning Grant Awards under Section 901 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
55 Pa.B. 7480: Natural Gas Service
Written by:
Benjamin Aronovitch, Research Assistant
Caden Dean-Sauter, Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney
