Oil and Gas Leasing: Interior Department Reopens 1.56 Million Acres of Alaska’s Coastal Plain for Energy Development 
On October 23 2025, the Department of the Interior announced it has reopened 1.56 million acres of Alaska’s Coastal Plain for potential oil and gas development with a Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision,
Penn State Law Center for Agricultural and Shale Law Blogs
Latest from Penn State Law Center for Agricultural and Shale Law
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
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 28, 2025
Tues. Oct. 28: AgWorks: Legal Authority to Work in the U.S. and Other Pre-Employment Screening Processes
Fri. Oct. 31: Understanding Immigration Compliance: I-9s, Audits and ICE Raids (FREE Attorney CLE!)
National Agricultural Policy: USDA Announces Plan to ‘Strengthen American Beef Industry’ 
On October 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a three-pronged plan
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 27, 2025
Public Lands: Congressional Review Act Invoked Against BLM Management Plans 
On October 8, 2025, the U.S. Senate approved a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) aimed at overturning the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) resource management plan (RMP) for the Miles City Field Office in Montana. The Senate also voted to approve similar resolutions
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 21, 2025
Next Week:
Tues. Oct. 28: AgWorks: Legal Authority to Work in the U.S. and Other Pre-Employment Screening Processes
Fri. Oct. 31: Understanding Immigration Compliance: I-9s, Audits and ICE Raids (FREE Attorney CLE!)
Water Quality: Maryland Announces Conowingo Dam Settlement Agreement 
On October 2, 2025, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association,
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 20, 2025
National Energy Policy: FERC Begins Process to Remove 53 Energy Regulations
On October 1, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced the end to 53 regulations which will sunset in 1 year after public comment. (Docket No. RM25-14-000). These regulations relate to natural gas data collection, public notices for pipelines, import/export applications,
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 14, 2025
Today 10/14 at Noon 3rd Quarter 2025 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar: H.R.1 (OBBA) Dairy Provisions
Dairy Policy: PA Milk Board to Over-Order Premium, Cost Replacement Hearings on December 3, 2025
On October 8, 2025, the Pennsylvania Milk Board (PMB) published Bulletin No. 1661, announcing a public hearing on December 3, 2025 for all six
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 13, 2025
Water Quality: Appeal Filed After Court Denies Injunction in New Freeport Water Contamination Case 
On September 15, 2025, The Center for Coalfield Justice announced that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania denied a request for preliminary injunction in a class action lawsuit involving residents of New Freeport’s claims of water contamination.
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—September 30, 2025
Today: Sept. 30 @ noon, AgWorks: Foundations of the Employer–Employee Relationship (non-attorney focus)
This month: Oct. 14, 3rd Quarter 2025 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar: H.R.1 (OBBA) Dairy Provisions
Agricultural Labor: Certain H-2A Applicants Eligible for Interview Waiver October 1, 2025
On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued an update (PDF)
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of September 29, 2025
Infrastructure: PA PUC Issues Order to Speed Up Identification of Old, At-Risk Pipes 
On September 11, 2025, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) issued a final order aimed at speeding up the identification of older, “at-risk” plastic pipes used to transport natural gas. Starting in 1998, and then again in 1999, 2002 and 2007,