State Regulation: Five-Year Delay Announced by CEC on Maximum Gross Gasoline Refining Margin Implementation⚡
On August 29, 2025, the California Energy Commission (CEC) reviewed the proposed implementation of a maximum gross gasoline refining margin (GGRM) and associated penalties (Docket No. 23-OIIP-01). CEC defines “gross gasoline refining margin” as “the difference, expressed in dollars per barrel, between the volume-weighted average price of wholesale gasoline sold by a refiner in the state and the average price of crude oil received by the refinery.” These actions stem from Senate Bill X1-2 and Assembly Bill X2-1, which expanded the CEC’s authority to evaluate and regulate petroleum industry practices. After a series of workshops, public input sessions, and data analysis, the CEC concluded that further study is necessary before making a final determination on setting a GGRM. The CEC cited potential risks including supply disruptions and reduced industry investment as reasons to delay action. As a result, the CEC agreed to pause implementation of a maximum GGRM and penalty for at least five years.

Public Lands: PA DEP Issues Grants to Restore Abandoned Mine Lands
On September 4, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded upwards of five million dollars to restore seven abandoned mine lands projects. This is part of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program, which provides grants to aid in reclaiming mine land and abating abandoned mine drainage. The seven projects are in Elk, Fayette, Indiana, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. Specifically, the Elk project deals with continued operation of two lime silos. The Fayette project aims to create a waterline to provide water to residents whose wells have degraded. The Indiana project contains engineering design work for an abandoned mine site and the Northumberland project is a study of the abandoned mine site on a local creek. Further, the Schuylkill project is engineering design work, the Washington project includes engineering and permitting to reclaim an abandoned mine site, and the Westmoreland project aims to reduce the effects of an abandoned mine in the watershed.

 

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CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Understanding the Basics of U.S. Grain Dealer Statutes

On Friday, September 26, 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.

Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar 3rd Quarter 2025

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from noon–1:00pm ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will conduct the latest installment in its Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar Series.  Each quarter’s free one-hour webinar covers the legal and regulatory developments in the U.S. dairy industry from the preceding quarter andincludes an in-depth look at a single focus topic of law, regulation, or government policy of interest to dairy professionals of all kinds.

Understanding the Basics of Pennsylvania’s Seasonal Farm Labor Law

On Friday, October 24, 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 Pennsylvania’s Seasonal Farm Labor Law”

Follow us on Twitter @AgShaleLaw to see the latest with our #ShaleLaw HotLinks 

Connect with us on Facebook.

Penn State Farmland Energy Legal Podcast: Listen to the latest episode here.

Oil & Gas Law & Policy Resources:

Rioseco and Rao, From Sidelines to Center Stage: Conferences of the Parties (COPs) as Legal Playmakers (September 16, 2025)

Quigley, Petty, and Swami, Fall Has Sprung? EPA Signals PFAS Rollbacks in “Spring” Unified Agenda (September 16, 2025)

Jamali, Defining Success in Climate Litigation: Lessons from the KlimaSeniorinnen Judgment (September 17, 2025)

Silverman-Roati, Climate Governance under the London Convention and Protocol: Precaution and Prevention (September 17, 2025)

Hanawalt and Fitch, Behavioral Effects of Corporate GHG Emissions Disclosures: A New Sabin Center White Paper (September 18, 2025)

Granoff, How Banks Can Lead the Transition Financing Climate Solutions (September 18, 2025)

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PRESS RELEASES

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Delivers U.S. National Statement at the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria (September 15, 2025)

DOE Approves Sixth Loan Disbursement to Restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant (September 16, 2025)

Energy Department Launches Speed to Power Initiative, Accelerating Large-Scale Grid Infrastructure Projects (September 18, 2025)

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES

EPA Convenes AI Roundtable at White House, Administrator Zeldin Highlights Permitting Reform to Make U.S. the AI Capital of the World (September 15, 2025)

EPA Proposes Renewable Fuel Standards Supplemental Rule, Addresses Small Refinery Exemptions (September 16, 2025)

Trump EPA Announces Next Steps on Regulatory PFOA and PFOS Cleanup Efforts, Provides Update on Liability and Passive Receiver Issues (September 17, 2025)

EPA Prioritizes Review of New Chemicals Used in Data Center Projects, Supporting American Manufacturing and Technological Advancement (September 18, 2025)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register September 15–22, 2025)

Environmental Protection Agency

90 FR 44591 Proposed Rule: “Reconsideration of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program” (September 16, 2025)

90 FR 44772 Rule: “Trichloroethylene; Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Compliance Date Extension” (September 17, 2025)

90 FR 45007 Proposed Rule: “Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Standards for 2026 and 2027, Partial Waiver of 2025 Cellulosic Biofuel Volume Requirement, and Other Changes; Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” (September 18, 2025)

Energy Department

90 FR 44651 Notice: “Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities Secretarial Determination” (September 16, 2025)

90 FR 45032 Notice: “Accelerating Speed to Power/Winning the Artificial Intelligence Race: Federal Action To Rapidly Expand Grid Capacity and Enable Electricity Demand Growth” (September 18, 2025)

Land Management Bureau

90 FR 44393 Notice: “Lease for Sale Navajo Transitional Energy Company, Spring Creek Mine Federal Coal Lease-by-Application MTM 105485-01, Big Horn County, MT” (September 15, 2025)

Safety and Environmental Enforcement Bureau

90 FR 45052 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Oil and Gas Well-Workover Operations” (September 18, 2025)

Ocean Energy Management Bureau

90 FR 45052 Notice: “Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska Region, Cook Inlet Planning Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 258” (September 18, 2025)

U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE

H.R.1047 – GRID Power Act (Introduced September 15, 2025)

H.R.3015 – National Coal Council Reestablishment Act. (Introduced September 15, 2025)

H.R.3668 – Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act. (Placed on the Union Calendar September 15, 2025)

H.R.5368 – To direct the Secretary of Transportation to rename the Community Liaison Services within the Office of Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration as the Office of Public Engagement, and for other purposes. (Introduced September 15, 2025)

H.R.3062 – Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act (Introduced September 16, 2025)

H.R.3157 – State Energy Accountability Act. (Placed on the Union Calendar September 17, 2025)

H.R.3616 – Reliable Power Act. (Placed on the Union Calendar September 17, 2025)

U.S. SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE 

S.2835 – A bill to support communities that host transmission lines and to promote conservation and recreation, and for other purposes.. (Introduced September 17, 2025)

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE 

PENNSYLVANIA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASES

DEP to Hold Public Meeting/Hearing on a Draft Air Quality Plan Approval for Homer City Generating Station (September 15, 2025)

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 37 – September 13, 2025)

Department of Environmental Protection

55 Pa.B. 6636: State Water Plan—Regional and Statewide Water Resources Committee Meetings

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

55 Pa.B. 6651: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement v. Peoples Natural Gas Company, LLC

 

Written by:
Benjamin Aronovitch, Research Assistant
Caden Dean-Sauter, Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney