DOI – Page 2 – Environmental and Energy Law Program

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Regulatory Tracker

Federal Onshore Extractive Energy Leasing

President Trump directed agencies to review and remove regulations that the administration believes burden domestic energy production. BLM has begun the process of offering expanded areas for leasing and expedited lease reviews.

August 8, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

BLM Methane Waste Prevention Rule

In 2024, BLM released a final rule to reduce the waste of natural gas from oil and gas operations on federal and Tribal land. In Nov. 2025, BLM announced it will delay enforcement of portions of the rule that had been scheduled to take effect Dec. 2025. Other portions of the rule remain in effect and BLM is considering revisions.

June 24, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

NEPA — Department of the Interior

DOI last updated its NEPA rules in 2008. In April, DOI released “alternative arrangements for NEPA compliance,” outlining a novel process for certain energy projects to circumvent existing environmental review procedures.

April 6, 2026

Environmental Justice Tracker

Agencies Significantly Narrowed NEPA Requirements, Changes Effective Immediately

April 3, 2026

Environmental Justice Tracker

OSMRE Finalized Rule Reverting Ten-Day Notice Process to 2020 Framework

February 19, 2026

Environmental Justice Tracker

Three Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers Suspended Operations Following DOI Funding Halt

September 30, 2025

Environmental Justice Tracker

Interior Released Emergency Permitting Procedures for Fossil Fuel and Critical Minerals Projects

April 23, 2025

Environmental Justice Tracker

Agencies Removed Environmental Justice Strategic Plans

January 20, 2025

Environmental Justice Tracker

Interior Published Procedures for Inclusion and Application of Indigenous Knowledge

January 17, 2025