The Biden administration’s plan to slash offshore oil and gas leasing drew fire from both the fossil fuel industry and environmentalists on Friday, with energy companies saying it will raise fuel prices and greens saying it undermines efforts to stop global warming. The criticism from both sides reflects the difficulty Biden’s White House has had […]
January 3, 2018 | Category:
Endangered Species,
Land Use,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
BLM,
Endangered,
endangered species,
land use,
Land Use Law,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
speciesLast week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued an instruction memorandum (IM) revising an Obama-era policy that directed agency field offices to prioritize oil and natural gas leasing and drilling projects outside of the most sensitive greater sage grouse habitat. The IM now says that the BLM does not need to lease and develop […]
November 1, 2017 | Category:
California,
Land Use,
NEPA,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
BLM,
California,
mitchell chadwick llp,
NEPA,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gasLast week, California Representative Alan Lowenthal (D) introduced HR 4103 (2017), also known as the “Having Open Access to Relevant Data Act” or the “HOARD Act.” The legislation specifically targets applicants who have obtained Permits to Drill on federal lands, but had not begun timely drilling. The HOARD Act is in response to the Bureau […]
A Washington state judge rejected an environmental activist’s request to present a necessity defense at his trail, where the “activist,” along with four other “activists” face charges of sabotage and burglary. The defendant admitted to illegally entering a pipeline facility near Anacortes, Washington, and shutting off a valve. The defendant argued his actions were somehow justified since […]
March 24, 2017 | Category:
Endangered Species,
Land Use,
Lawsuit,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
Braiden Chadwick,
environmental group,
land use,
Land Use Law,
mitchell chadwick llp,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
pipeline,
U.S. State DepartmentToday 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.
February 7, 2017 | Category:
Land Use,
Lawsuit,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
Army Corps,
court case,
environmental group,
land use,
Land Use Law,
lawsuit,
mitchell chadwick,
mitchell chadwick llp,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
Water Law,
Waters Of The U.S.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 […]
February 1, 2017 | Category:
Land Use,
Mining,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
BLM,
Braiden Chadwick,
California,
california land use,
environmental group,
EPA,
Global Warming,
Greenhouse Gas,
land use,
Land Use Law,
mining,
mitchell chadwick,
mitchell chadwick llp,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law FoundationSecretary 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, […]
January 25, 2017 | Category:
Land Use,
Lawsuit,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
Braiden Chadwick,
environmental group,
Greenhouse Gas,
land use,
Land Use Law,
lawsuit,
mitchell chadwick,
mitchell chadwick llp,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
pipelineFull 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 […]
January 24, 2017 | Category:
Land Use,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
Braiden Chadwick,
california land use,
land use,
Land Use Law,
mitchell chadwick,
mitchell chadwick llp,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
pipelineThe 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.
November 24, 2016 | Category:
Land Use,
News,
Oil and Gas | Tags:
environmental group,
EPA,
land use,
Land Use Law,
mitchell chadwick,
mitchell chadwick llp,
oil,
oil & gas,
oil and gas,
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law FoundationObama Administration Declares Atlantic and Arctic Off-Limits to Oil and Gas Drilling On Friday, November 18, 2016, the Obama administration announced that the Department of the Interior’s 2017-2022 offshore oil and gas leasing plan (“Leasing Plan”) will restrict drilling activities to the Gulf of Mexico, and one already-developed area in the Arctic’s Cook Inlet. Secretary […]
