Pipelines: FERC Releases Environmental Assessment for the Heartland Project 
On October 10, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released an environmental assessment prepared for ANR Pipeline Company’s Heartland Project in Wisconsin. The proposal aims to supply up to 473,000 dekatherms per day of additional firm transportation capacity and involves approximately 68.9 miles of new pipeline, 1.5 miles of replacement pipeline, three new compressor stations, two new meter stations, upgrades to existing metering facilities, and modifications to related infrastructure. FERC states that the assessment was completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and concludes that the project, as proposed, would not represent a major federal action with significant environmental impacts. Lastly, several federal and state agencies with relevant expertise participated as cooperating agencies to support the environmental assessment.
Oil and Gas Leasing: Senate Votes to Overturn Biden-Era National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Restriction
On October 30, 2025, the Senate voted to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) regulation titled the “National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision.” The resolution passed 52-48 and is currently held at the desk of the House of Representatives. The overturned regulation restricted the amount of land that was to be opened to oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. For more information on Alaskan Energy Development, see, SLWR – Nov. 10, 2025 “Oil and Gas Leasing: Interior Department Reopens 1.56 Million Acres of Alaska’s Coastal Plain for Energy Development.”
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CENTER PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
On November 20th at 12pm noon, Center Staff Attorney Jackie Schweichler will present a session on legal considerations for agritourism businesses. This presentation will be part of the session, “Cultivating Opportunity: A Practical Guide to Starting and Managing Agritourism Operations.”
- November 20th from 12 noon-1:00 PM. More Information and Registration Here
Understanding the Basics of Cell Cultured Foods & Labeling Laws
On Friday, November 21, 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 Cell Cultured Foods & Labeling Laws”
- November 21st from 12 noon-1:00 PM. More Information and Registration Here
Understanding the Clean Water Act & Ag: Biosolids & Food Processing Waste Land Application
On Friday, December 12, 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 webinarin 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 Clean Water Act & Ag: Biosolids & Food Processing Waste Land Application”
- December 12th from 12 noon-1:00 PM. More Information and Registration Here
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:
Nolette, Sabin Center Files Amicus Brief Supporting New York City’s Building Electrification Law in Second Circuit Appeal (November 10, 2025)
Mallen, Treanor, and Das, Northeast Supply Enhancement Project Receives Key Environmental Permits (November 12, 2025)
Bibikos, At the Well Weekly (v.11.7.2025) (November 16, 2025)
FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PRESS RELEASES
Energy Department Awards Contracts to Begin Refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (November 12, 2025)
Energy Department Strengthens Puerto Rico’s Energy Grid with Renewed Orders (November 12, 2025)
Energy Department Announces $355 Million to Expand Domestic Production of Critical Minerals and Materials (November 14, 2025)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
EPA Grants the State of Texas Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources (November 12, 2025)
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register November 10–November 17, 2025)
Environmental Protection Agency
90 FR 51181 Rule: “National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; Extension of Transition Period for New Product Schedule Listing” (November 17, 2025)
90 FR 51311 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Oil Pollution Act Facility Response Plans (Renewal), EPA ICR No. 1630.15, OMB Control No. 2050-0135” (November 17, 2025)
Energy Department
90 FR 51208 Proposed Rule: “Implementing Voluntary Agreements Under the Defense Production Act” (November 17, 2025)
Land Management Bureau
90 FR 51470 Rule: “Rescission of the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Regulations, Issued May 7, 2024” (November 17, 2025)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
90 FR 50948 Notice: “Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit; Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (TGP)” (November 13, 2025)
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office
90 FR 51112 Rule: “Ohio Regulatory Program” (November 17, 2025)
Ocean Energy Management Bureau
90 FR 50872 Notice: “Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands-Request for Information and Interest” (November 12, 2025)
Other Agencies
U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
H.R.6037 – To reauthorize the West Valley demonstration project. (Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, November 12, 2025)
STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 46 – November 15, 2025)
Department of Environmental Protection
55 Pa.B. 7891: Applications, Actions and Special Notices
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
55 Pa.B. 7937: General Rule Transaction
Written by:
Benjamin Aronovitch, Research Assistant
Caden Dean-Sauter, Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney
