Pipelines: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Publishes Updated Safety Standards for Intrastate HVL Transport 
On February 22, 2024, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) published a Final Form Rulemaking Order (FFRO) to establish state specific safety standards for the intrastate transport of highly volatile liquids (HVLs) by public utilities. The FFRO amends the standards currently outlined
Latest from Penn State Law Center for Agricultural and Shale Law - Page 18
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—March 11, 2024
Agricultural Labor: Fifth Circuit Remands ‘Independent Contractor’ Rule Challenge to District Court, DOL January 2024 Rule Effective March 11, 2024
On February 19, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an order vacating the district court’s decision and remanding a case challenging the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) March 2021 delay
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—March 4, 2024
Explore the Center’s New Geographical Indications Virtual Resource Room.
Right to Farm: West Virginia Passes Law Prohibiting Interference with ‘Permissible’ Pesticide Use, Expands Agriculture Protections 
On February 23, 2024, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice approved legislation SB 171, which amends W. Va. Code §7-1-3 to prohibit county commissions from enacting any law “that
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of March 4, 2024
State Regulation: Colorado Limits Government Use of Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment 
In February 2024, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) formally adopted a new regulation first announced in December 2023, that limits the use of gas-powered lawn equipment by state agencies. The new regulation is only applicable during summer months, beginning June 2025, and affects
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of February 26, 2024
Methane Emissions: DOE and EPA Announce Intent to Fund Methane Mitigation 
On February 9, 2024, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced their intent to make Inflation Reduction Act funds available for mitigating methane, a “super pollutant.” The Methane Emissions Reduction Program will seek to target the oil and natural
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—February 26, 2024
Explore the Center’s updated Waters of the United States Virtual Resource Room and Waters of the United States Issue Tracker!
Water Quality: Federal Court Vacates EPA, FWS Actions Allowing Florida to Assume Clean Water Act Wetland Authority
On February 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an opinion granting
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—February 20, 2024
Pesticides/Herbicides: EPA Issues Existing Stocks Order for Three Dicamba Products After Registration Vacatur 
On February 14, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an existing stocks order for the dicamba-based herbicides XtendiMax, Enginia, and Tavium following vacatur of the herbicides’ registrations. See ALWR—Feb. 13, 2024, “District Court Issues Order Vacating Three Dicamba Registrations.”
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of February 19, 2024
Air Quality: EPA Bolsters Soot Pollution Standards Following Air Quality Concerns
On Tuesday, February 7, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule with new Particulate Matter (PM) standards that were decided on after reconsidering the 2020 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As stated in the document, the EPA has revised the
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—February 13, 2024
Dairy Policy: Federal Milk Marketing Order Hearing Ends, Brief Filing Open Until April 1
On February 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) received an order “Notification to the Hearing Clerk Pursuant to 7 CFR § 900.10” for the National Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Formula Hearing, which began on August
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of February 12, 2024
National Energy Policy: DOE Finalizes Efficiency Standards for Cooking Products 
On January 29, 2024, pursuant to a Congressional directive, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a direct final rule updating energy efficiency standards for residential cooking products. The DOE stated that these updates will reduce household utility costs over a period of thirty years by