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, the National Transportation Safety Board issued reports that plastic pipes installed between the 1960s and the 1980s were at a higher risk of cracking and leaking, and as such should be replaced. In 2024, the PA PUC issued a tentative order accelerating the process of identifying and replacing these pipes. The 2025 final order mandates each natural gas distributor to catalog the quantities of plastic pipes used, and if not possible then to provide a plan for how to account for those pipes.

Methane Emissions: $7.2 Million in DEP Grants Awarded for Well Plugging Projects Across Pennsylvania
On August 7, 2025, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced they are awarding over $7 million through the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) to fund 35 well-plugging projects across the state. These projects aim to plug 329 marginal conventional wells, which are defined as oil or gas wells producing below a specific threshold, in an effort to reduce methane emissions and prevent environmental hazards. The funding, supported in part by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, is also intended to stimulate job creation and provide opportunities for small businesses involved in well plugging. While some of the targeted wells are actively leaking methane, others are not currently emitting gas but are included in the program to prevent future emissions. To qualify for funding, applicants had to meet regulatory compliance and in cases where methane was detected, conduct emissions measurements before and after plugging.

GHG Emissions: EPA Proposes End to Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
On September 12, 2025, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed ending the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), citing concerns over regulatory costs and limited environmental benefits. Under the GHGRP, large industrial facilities are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions which allows the public to “compare facilities’ greenhouse gas emissions, identify opportunities to cut pollution, minimize wasted energy, and save money.” According to the EPA in this most recent press release, eliminating most reporting requirements would cut costs for the affected businesses and allow resources to be redirected toward more “tangible environmental benefits.” While the GHGRP has historically required data collection from over 8,000 facilities, EPA now argues that this information is not legally necessary for most sectors, except those subject to the Waste Emissions Charge starting in 2034. A public comment period will be held to gather stakeholder input on the proposed changes.

LNG Exports: Canada Approves First Step for LNG Export Facility in British Columbia
On September 15, 2025, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada approved a liquified natural gas (LNG) export project on the northwest Canadian coast, in the British Columbia Providence. The Ksi Lisims LNG – Natural Gas Liquefaction and Marine Terminal Project would potentially process up to 22.4 billion cubic meters of LNG, delivered by pipelines traveling from northeastern British Columbia. However, the approval does not mean that construction will begin. It simply means that the project and investors can seek permitting and other needed authorizations.

 

 

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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 and includes 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)

Other Agencies

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