Shale Law Weekly Review
The following information is an update of recent local, state, national and international legal developments relevant to shale gas. Subscribe for updates.
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of May 20, 2024
National Energy Policy: DOE Announces Actions to Advance American Artificial Intelligence ⚡
On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced several actions intended to advance the use and safety of artificial intelligence across a variety of fields including modernizing the electrical grid, clean energy, national security, climate forecasting, environmental modeling, and emergency response. DOE also published a report titled “AI For Energy: Opportunities for Modern Grid and Clean Energy Economy,” which specifically discusses “AI’s near-term potential to support the growth of America’s clean energy economy and Advanced Research Directions in AI For Energy, a report developed […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of May 13, 2024
Infrastructure: DOE Finalizes Rule Banning the Use of Fossil Fuels in Federal Buildings ⚡
On May 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program published in the Federal Register a final rule titled “Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings” (89 FR 35384). This rule seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by phasing out the use of on-site fossil fuels for ends uses in federal buildings. The rule will require new federal construction projects starting between 2025 and 2029 to reduce the building’s on-site use of fossil fuel by 90%, with […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of May 6, 2024
International Development: European Parliament Approves the Net-Zero Industry Act ⚡
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the members of the European Parliament voted to approve the Net-Zero Industry Act, which will create “a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem.” The proposal was adopted with “361 votes to 121, with 45 abstentions,” and it will become law after being formally adopted by the Council of the European Union (EU). According to the adopted text, the primary purpose of the act is to incentivize the production and implementation of renewable technologies that will support the EU’s industrial […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of April 29, 2024
Public Lands: DOI and BLM Issue Final Conservation and Leasing Rule for Public Lands ⚡
On April 18, 2024, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a final rule relating to the BLM’s management and conservation of public lands. The Public Lands Rule mandates that the BLM manage the landscape of public lands as a whole with land health in mind, in order to protect watersheds, local ecosystems, and wildlife habitats. The Rule also provides for restoration leases seeking to restore degraded lands, and mitigation leases, which will allow lessees to offset […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of April 22, 2024
Methane Emissions: DOT and PHMSA Announce Pipeline Repair Funding to Reduce Emissions ⚡
On April 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced that $392 million of funding will be dedicated to modernizing pipeline systems and infrastructure with the stated goal of preventing methane pollution emissions. The funding will be divided amongst 130 projects proposed by municipality and community owned utility companies across 26 states. The selected projects involve repairing or replacing almost 500 miles of pipelines, for what PHMSA has said will result in a reduction of methane pollution […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of April 15, 2024
National Energy Policy: USDA Funds Clean Energy Projects for PA Farmers and Rural Businesses ⚡
On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will be investing $5.69 million in 31 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across 12 Pennsylvania counties. This investment is part of the March announcement of $120 million in Inflation Reduction Funds being allocated across 44 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The USDA stated that selected REAP projects help farmers and rural business owners “lower energy costs, generate new income and create jobs” by utilizing clean energy and increasing […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of April 8, 2024
Federal Lands: Interior Department Finalizes BLM Rule to Reduce Natural Gas Waste from Oil & Gas Production on Federal and Tribal Lands ⚡
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced a final rule to the Federal Register that was originally proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on November 30, 2022. The objective of the new rule is “to reduce the waste of natural gas from venting, flaring, and leaks during oil and gas production activities on Federal and Indian leases.” Additionally, the rule will provide royalty payments to public and Indian mineral owners when […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of April 1, 2024
Wildlife Habitat: Bureau of Land Management Proposes Changes to Sage-Grouse Conservation and Management ⚡
On March 14, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it was proposing to “strengthen greater sage-grouse conservation and management on public lands,” which spans across eleven western states, including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. BLM subsequently published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Rangewide Planning, 89 Fed. Reg. 18,963 (March 15, 2024). The Draft EIS considers six alternatives, noting Alternative 5 as […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of March 25, 2024
GHG Emissions: Texas Brings Suit in D.C. Circuit Court over EPA Methane Rule ⚡
On Friday, March 8, 2024, the State of Texas petitioned the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a final rule officially published to the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the same day. The EPA first announced the final rule on December 2, 2023, which has a stated primary objective of “sharply reduc[ing] emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and natural gas operations.” The rule aims to reduce air pollution emissions from both new and existing […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of March 18, 2024
GHG Emissions: SEC Adopts New Climate Risk and Emissions Disclosure Rule ⚡
On March 6, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a new rule which will require publicly traded companies to disclose to potential investors their climate risks and levels of greenhouse gas emissions. These companies must report all climate risks that have had or will have a material impact on their business in some way, including financial condition, operations, and outlook. Companies will also be required to identify any mitigation or adaptation activities they have adopted to counteract the climate risks, and what the cost of those […]
