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BREAKING: President Trump Grants Cross-Border Permit For Keystone XL Pipeline

Today the State Department issued the cross-border permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, fulfilling President  Trump’s promise to approve the pipeline after it was rejected by former president Barack Obama after encountering pressure from environmental pressure groups.

BREAKING: President Trump Directs EPA to Roll Back Clean Water Rule

On February 28, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order directing the roll back of Clean Water Act rules promulgated under the Obama administration. The rules, known as the Waters of the United States rule, defines federal permitting jurisdiction under the CWA. During his 2016 campaign, the president spoke frequently of his intentions to roll […]

Environmentalists Use Spotted Owl To Foil Forest Service—Again

Last Thursday California federal judge John A. Mendez found that the U.S. Forest Service didn’t take a hard enough look at the alternatives to a timber project in California’s Mendocino National Forest. Citing the Forest Service’s lack of a “hard look” at the project alternatives to avoid impacts on the northern spotted owl, including one […]

Senate Confirms Scott Pruitt After Fight

The U.S. Senate confirmed Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the U.S. EPA administrator on a 52-46 vote split largely along party lines. Quoting the New York Times report: “Democrats railed all night on the Senate floor against Mr. Pruitt and urged Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, to delay the confirmation vote […]

Army Corps Approves Dakota Access Pipeline

Today, the United States Army Corps of Engineers sent a Notification to Congress regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline, announcing the Corps’ intention to grant an easement for the oil pipeline to cross Lake Oahe. (Document HERE.) The easement is located north of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and is the subject of the Standing Rock […]

President Trump’s Nominees for Interior and Energy Easily Approved By Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Secretary of the Interior nominee Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Energy nominee Rick Perry were approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, paving the way for their confirmation by the full Senate. The committee approved Zinke by a 16-6 vote, and Perry by a 16-7 vote. Angering the Democrats on the Committee, […]

BLM Reaches Settlement Agreement in Longstanding Utah Land Use Litigation

On January 13, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) filed a settlement agreement in U.S. District Court along with off-highway vehicle advocates and various conservation groups. If approved by the court, the agreement would end more than 8 years of litigation over land use and travel management plans on approximately 10 million BLM-administered acres in […]

Keystone XL and Dakota Access: President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects

Full White House Press Release HERE. President Donald J. Trump today signed a series of Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda in keeping with his promise to reduce the burden of regulations and expedite high priority energy and infrastructure projects that will create jobs and increase national security. Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL […]

Pipelines: Feds Issue New Guidelines

The federal Department of Transportation has issued new guidelines requiring pipeline operators to report accidents and spills more quickly.  The rules give specific time frames for accidents and cost-recovery provisions for new projects.  New Regulations HERE.  The new rules come a week after PHMSA announced new regulations regarding onshore hazardous liquid pipelines.

Mining Industry Prepares for Incoming Trump Administration

The mining industry is optimistic that the Trump administration will reduce regulatory burdens on mining and support efforts to open new mines. Several lawmakers have already introduced mining-related bills, and the American Exploration & Mining Association is working on a “wish list” of mining related asks for the incoming administration.  For example, the mining industry […]

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