Public Lands: Alaska Files a Claim Against the Department of the Interior Over the Recent Oil and Gas Lease Sales in the Arctic Refuge
On January 6, 2025, the State of Alaska (Alaska) filed a suit against the Department of the Interior (DOI) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. State of
Biden Administration Releases Executive Order on AI Infrastructure
On January 14, 2025, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order on “Advancing United States Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure” (the “EO”), with the goals of preserving U.S. economic competitiveness and access to powerful AI models, preventing U.S. dependence on foreign infrastructure, and promoting U.S. clean energy production to power the development and operation of
5 Trends to Watch: 2025 Energy Regulation and Development
As a new administration takes office in 2025, several new energy policy trends are expected to emerge, reflecting the inherent tension that often exists between political desires and economic realities. For example, while the incoming Trump administration has expressed a desire to claw back subsidies made available under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Republican states
Biden Administration Rulemakings at Risk for Congressional Review Act Cancellation in New Congress
With the 119th Congress now assembled, Republicans control both the House and Senate, and will control the White House starting on January 20th. If history is any guide, this change in party control of the White House, plus unified control of Congress by the president’s party, will pave the way for Republicans to deploy the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn a number of regulations issued by the Biden Administration. When President Trump first took office in 2017, congressional Republicans used the CRA to overturn more than a dozen rules promulgated by the Obama Administration.
Capitalizing on Change: Emerging Opportunities for Latin America in the Rare Minerals Market
Amid escalating tensions in the tech and trade war between the United States and China, the latter has announced a ban on the export of certain rare minerals to the United States.[1] These minerals, including gallium, germanium, and antimony, are crucial for manufacturing defense technologies like tanks and military communications, advanced technologies such as
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—January 14, 2025
NEW:
- Duer, Brook, and Paul Goeringer. “2024 Brought Unprecedented Zoonotic Disease Control Challenge as Well as Far-Reaching Questions of Legal Authority.” Southern Ag Today. Jan. 10, 2025.
- Farmland Energy Legal Podcast: “An Introduction to Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land.” Jan. 7, 2025.
Avian Influenza: USDA Announces 28 States Enrolled in
Sixth District Holds CEQA 30-Day Statute of Limitations Triggered by Local Agency’s Definition of “Final” Approval
In Center for Biological Diversity v. County of San Benito (2024) 104 Cal.App.5th 22, the Court of Appeal held that the statute of limitations for two CEQA challenges did not begin to run until the Board of Supervisors had heard and decided appeals from the Planning Commission. Because the County of San Benito’s local
New Year, New Penalties: OSHA and USEPA Increase Penalties
Seyfarth Synopsis: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) have published their 2025 increases to civil penalties.
We have blogged previously about the annual adjustments to the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA and EPA violations. The agencies have now finalized the 2024 inflation adjustments, which increase
Governor Issues Executive Order N-4-25 Suspending CEQA Review And Coastal Act Permitting Requirements To Facilitate Rapid Rebuilding Of Properties Destroyed Or Damaged By Los Angeles And Ventura County Fires
On January 12, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-4-25 (the “EO”) pursuant to Government Code section 8571, which authorizes the Governor to suspend regulatory statutes during a state of emergency upon determining that strict compliance “would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the emergency.” (Gov. Code, § 8571.) The Governor had previously, on January 7, 2025, proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to fire and windstorm conditions.
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of January 13, 2025
Public Lands: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Submits Petition to Protect Ruby Mountains
On December 30, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) submitted a petition to withdraw Ruby Mountain in Nevada from “leasing under the mineral and geothermal laws, for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights.” The USFS petition initiates